The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-16
FRANCIS WILSON AT NATIONAL.
''The Mountain Climber scores a
Repetition of Former Success.

EtcPettt1Ou OF FORMER Success.
Francis Wilson's appearance at the
National Theater last night in his last
seasons success. 1.-THE Mountain Climb
er, was an excellent argument in sup
port of his determination to forsake
comic opera and enter the field of non
musical comedy. ''The Mountain Climber
Is in its second season, and with the ex-
ception of "ErminIe" inevitably
associates itself in the mind with Mr..
Nilson-the actor has found no vehicle
TO carry him SO continuously to populari-
ty. The farce. which is by Messrs. Kraatz
and Neal. who were responsible FOR the
original Are You q Mason?" so pal
pabiy belongs 20 that school Of foreign
comedy in which the deceived wife. and
the lying. but ever-ready husband. plav
conspicuous parts. that it would scarcely
be more than mildly amusing. were it not
for the many unmistakable Wfls0nesgue
touches that are evident to the eSper-
fenced playgoer The quips and jokes
with which Mr.. Wilson has interlarded
the lines, particularly his own. are pre-
cisely what make the part possible for
him TO play, and his manner of delivering
the most telling Of his speeches by adj
vaneing to the front of the stage and be-
coming confidential with the audience.
loudly smacks OF the field wherein he
achieved his undying fame. In such mo-
ments one cannot help wishing THE
Mountain Climber were indeed a comic
opera, and that MIR Wilson would shortly
oolige with a topical verse or two. The
WISH however, does not hold, in view OF
the swift and dramatic action of the
piece, which more than compensates foI
any slight absence OF the usual Wilson
surrounding
In THE Mountain Climber" the spirit
OF burlesque prevails. and in NJ. Wilson
and Miss May Robson, 81 finds apt inter
probation. Mr- Wilson's comedy lzvg 40
claim TO quiet dignity or subtle epigram.
neither does delicate satire veil his ef-
forts. yet in his broadcast moments he
never offends Last night responding 20
the CiamoT. he made a characteristic
speech, which caught the fancy Of the au-
diaace and put them in even q better
humor than his acting, were such thing
possible.
In May Robson, Mr.. Wilson has the
support of one OF the most eminent char
8cter actresses Of our stage Indeed 1T
times Miss Robson's acting is emotional
and convincing TO an extent not reached
by many actresses who enjoy far wider
repute. As the wife who believes her
husband to be a great Alpine climber,
when he is nothing of the sort Miss Rob
son is QUITE in her element and in her
gestures and her eXtravaganceS OF speech.
while extremely funny. kept rightly within
the bounds of probability
The balance Of Mr.. Wilson's company
is entirely satisfactory Ellen Mortimer
and Edna Bruins. as the stcp-daugbtera
OF Sibsey, the alleged mountain climber.
formed A pretty background for the more
rugged Miss Robson, and Jane Gordon, as
Lena. gave a genuine dash OF local coler
10 the Swiss scene In her interpretatia
Of the jealous milkmaid Joseph Allen
gave his usual good ability % "a goDl
comedy role. and George Irving as the
serious and genuine explorer Arthur Lyd-
brook. and Sidney Rice. as an enthusiast
were excellent
The play is well staged the final drop
curtain. showing the principal members
OF the cast leaning from their window.
in acknowledgment OF q supposed sere-
made, being especially unique and al
tractive.
Elsie Janis. in the whirlwind musical
comedy. The Vanderbilt Cup. viii come
to the National next week.