The Washington herald., 1906-10-28

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The American girl has long been a sub
ject Of unusual interest TO more countries
than her own. and her fame seems to be
increasing instead Of diminishing. Charles
Dana Gibson is responsible for much Of the
interest manifested In her, for Camille
Clifford has al last explained To dear old
London exactly what a real Gibson girl
IS, and the Gibson girl is the American
girl haughtified. Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth surprised and delighted all who
met her on the other side by her unas-
Stunning manner and well-bred air, for the
American girl has been accused of being
"A grown-up hoyden, an accusation which.
however. is being constantly disproved.
Edna May. with her demure Salvation
Army lassio downcast glance. won all
hearts in the city Of fog and leisure.
lad 1rZo7, as genuine American
BuTne-Jones type, was celebrated beau
~, with the air of a princess. and so on
through the ranks of society and the
stage the American girl has captivated
the Britishers
Among her charms, that OF naturalness
OF ueineaGOr. must be accorded the high
est praise. II is q novel sensation for
democratic young woman from Il demo
cratic land 10 find herself the object of
gifts and the subject Of verses penned by
titled representatives OF families whose
ancestors were distinguished in history.
Naturally the American girls associates
who remain on this side of the water
wonder hOW she viii conduct herself
amid such fiatteTing attentions. and upon
her return 10 the land Of her birth she is
compelled to undergo the closest scrutiny
If her accent and manner remain Ameri-
can, she is praised; If she has sUccumbed
10 atmospheric influences. her sin is bound
10 and her out.
OF ali the American girls Who have ex-
changed their positions on our stage Tor
those in the English theatrical world
none deserves more generous commenda-
ton than Gertrude Elliott, or Mrs Forbes
Robertson as she is known in private
life The career OF this American girl
has been amazingly successful. and she
bears all her honors with the utmost
ease and modcsty. she is the same Ger
1rude Elliott who played small parts with
her beautiful sister. and whom the public
thought would perhaps always be known
as the sister Of Maxine Elliott Her posi-
fion on the London stage and in London
her frank. giTiish charm which was SO
pleasing before she assumed the dignifed
tltle OF wife 10 tho greatest Hamlet Of
modern times
Mr.. and Mrs. Forbes Robertson had
Just arrived from England when l called
upon them at the Woodstock Their
apartment was scented throughout with
The delicious perfume Of the American
Beauty roses. a fitting tribute 10 Bliss
Elliott. for while she has no. the regu-
larity OF features that her celebrated sis
Ter possesses. still she has beauty which
Is enhanced by a continual play Of ex-
preston in her large hazel eyes and about
her mobile mouth. She is Intellectual
too, and is always ready to take up
discussion Of play or dramatist when
called upon 20 do SO.
Miss ElliOtts Ophclia is well remem-
oered, and the public is patiently waiting
q return engagement Of Hamlet
What of Hamlet? 20 7 asked as soon
as We had exchanged greeting. shall
've see him this season."
I hope not answered AR Robertson.
Really, You are joking, said /.
Please, please don't misunderstood.
said Mr. Robertson, with that beautifu.
smile which SO llumines his features. 1T
Is not that Hamlet is less dear 10 me-
but If I play him this year il win mean
that our new play. Caesar and Cleopatra,
has proved a failure when we are 50 de-
Sirous Of scoring a success.
Yes. added Miss Elliott, good PLAYS
are so difficult to ind now. somehow. and
We have both worked hard in our study
or these two famous characters. We
have faith in the play; but one is never
certain of the public. although Bernard
Shaw is a great favorite IN America He
IS wonderful writer OF original PLAYS
u is So delightful to find drama which
does not follow the usual methods en-
pioyed by other writers. AR Shaw docs
as he pleases, but, in my opinion, he does
what Is right some say Jnat his charae-
tiers are at times unnatural The com
nonptace person beneath the influence OF
ms pen unGergOes "A certain influence
which Is unavoidable, that is all His
characters are never duh and stupid
His own brilliancy in some manner so
cnvelops them that even the waiter ia
You Never Can Tell Is clever. To me
his men and women are quite a. they
should be. Men and women Go say bril-
liant things. YOU know although perhaps
at times Mr.. Shaw invests them with
tribe more clevcrness than is their Just
due.
In the new play. both Caesar and
Cleopatra are the essence Of naturaIness. /
as Shaw has conceived them. The story
of the play takes place at an earlier /
period in the history of their two YES |
Than We have. been accustomed to seef < /
IN the stage. They are tho caesar and 4
Cleopatra OF true history The latter is I
Just sixteen al the time, according 10 !
writers. when Caesar first saw her. THIS 1
r4d IA
Quest Of her heart. ShaW's Cleopatra is !
delicious She IS a little terror. and a 4
very attractive one. She is q kitten. If /
] may SO describe her, playful and full of (
cOquettish moods. She speaks OF hav-
ing seen Antony when She was twelve
years Of age. but Antony Is another
chapter, for Caesar rules in this one. and
his reign was not one Of love. This il
the strange and Interesting part of tbs
play, that there is no love interest an
element which is generally considered i'm
dlspensabie. Dir. Shaw cares nothing for
traditional construction however. 10
does lot need it. Wait until YOU meet
This interesting. historic pair. and ,-ou
viii agree with me. Robert Louis Ste
Venson wrote DR. Jekyll and Mr. HYDE
IN order 20 prove theory of his that
a book might be = success without a sin
Eie woman character in 81. AR. shaw win
snow that love is not a greater neccs-
Sity. The play is rather the deveIop-
ment Of two characters. especially that
ct Cleopatra, through the influence of
caesar. Caesar tries 10 make Egypt as
ne wants It. His character is almost per
feet He is so noble-humanity iself.7
lhen Cleopatra docs not attempt to
cnsnare Caesarg'
That Is best answered by the explana-
tion that Caesar is Tho rorfcot5r,, - -.