The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-06

WHOLE CAST WAS EXCELLENT
Despite Holy Week, the Acad-
clny was lSillcd-Nlan III
Audience Faints.

THAT Miss Grace George has Joined
that exclusive band OF actresses who
have arrived and passed the goal OF
hard won success is not to be denied BY
any one who was fortunate enough to
SEQ her last night az Lady Kitty" In
.The Marriage Of William Ashe, an
adaptation Of Mrs. Wards wonderfully
strong story.
no change tho old line a word. "who
came to SCOT remained ITO praise, for,
In spite or the slings and arrows OF the
CRITICS there has seldom been seen on
the Academy stage a portrayal Of Il part
more artistic or more convincing.
There may be II Wide difference OF
opinion regarding Mrs. Humphrey Wards
novel; ana tho morality. or rather lack
OF it, in tho story, may visit the minds
OF many unplcasantly, be that MS II may.
but of the art OF Miss George and OF the
charming and clever way she pictures
tho life Ut the Maynard impctuous, high
strung, lovabc Indy Kitty. there can be
but one opniont-thut she has risen
above tic commonplace OF success and
discarded the actress FOR the artist.
III shall be Kitty first. last and above
ALL says "Ashc,'' in defense OF his wife,
-
kitty" has not returned to her home
1t Is "kitty" first, last and above all
throughout the five acts OF the play, for
despite the clever cast that surrounds the
star, Miss George sounds the dominant
note throughout. and give way not once
to other interests.
We'll Written, Well Played.
rho play is we'll written and equally
! ,,,tr t,f ,t,cU
who play around Miss George arc ca :
pablc ana clever.
While there Is little or nothing to crlti-
ciZc in any the cast. md only coDln'Dl-
dation to be recorded, a word OF especial
praise should fall to Mr.. n. Reeves Smith
who, as civilian Ashc," played, spoke
and looked the part admirably.
During the third act, when the theatre
and stage was dark and the audience
had reached a state OF intense excite
,nent, suddenly a man IN the audience
became hystcrical, and In moment the
whole house Joined In subdued nervous
laughter, wild and uncanny.
Such an occurrence wolhd ordinarily
have ruined tho act but. so earnest was
the Interest that tho Incident only served
ia accentuate the realism Of the stage
picture.
In the last act, when Ashe ana
Lady Kitty meet III ttIle HiouVtu'Il ~.
and tho past is forgotten and forgiven
tho scene follows the novel closely. Tic
Swiss landlord and his family hustle
husi]y: tho kind hearted Little Dean"
nleads with "Ashc' for Lady Kitty;
the touching reconciliation follows IN inc
nlain, chcerless room, when Ashe 1or-
gets his ambition ana his wrongs and
remembers only the kitty Of happier
days, and suddenly the end comes quiet
~. with only the song of the waters out-
side tho windows and tho sob OF the man,
kneclng beside the woman ''e 44'' "'' '' -
ceased to love.
II was by far the best bit OF the play,
for It showed art. stripped of stagccraft'
and close on the heels OF nature.
rho song in the Venetian scene was
well sung by Valianto Ugo.
Mary Anderson's Letter.
fsnecial to The Times Dispatch.)
Madame Modjeska, whose farewell tes1
tlmoniaI performance IN this city WI, WI,
be given at the Academy ~ Mary S oIN.a5
next fro uesa Mary n Smierso tMadame de
Savnrroj. Wishing her great SUCCESS on
her American tour. 1t reads c.,n,
Wynds Point, Malvern, Ensland, d.,
1,cnr Madame Enthusiastically SEM
Won my lenrtfcst wishes for, your great
est success. HOW Wish coW,a akh IONS WI
.hnl, look forward to reading OF Your
new triu,nphs, among the scenes OF your
past Ones, IL, and offectlonnte
sr eMAIiY ANDERSON DE NAVARRO,
Barney Gilmore.
Lovers Of Irish music Will pc mn' ,ea Sa
To- know that Barney Gilmore, 't'e 'h I,l.',,
singing irish star; comes 70 ann r'' ii.
, ,,aH. MAJ "A rocky Road to Dublin