Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-22
Coming Attractions.
Columbia Theater.

Tomorrow evning Mr.. Guy Standing and
the Columbia Theater Company will inaag-
urate their thirteenth and final week OF
the successful summer season at the Co
lumbia Theater with the production of
r. c.. Cartons amusing and vivacious com
edy, Wheels Within Wheels" On that
occasion all of the favorites of the or
ganization will appear and Mr.. John Mason
will be seen in the leading role of Lord
Eric Chantrell, which he created when
the comedy was first presented in this
country at the Madison Square Theater in
New York by Charles and Daniel Frohnan
In addition to Mr.. Mason there were in
the original cast on that occasion Hida
Spong. Philip Cunningham, Grant Stewart,
Grace Elllston, c. w. Butler, Eva Vincent
and Robert Hilliari. The original London
production OF the comedy was made the
previous year at the Court Theater, where
1t had prosperous run. Subsequently,
when Daniel Frohman moved his famous
Lyceum Theater Stock Company into DAILY 5
Theater in New York it was given there
with cast that included Mr.. John Mason,
in his original role, in addition to Hilda
Spong, Philip Cunningham. Jameson Lee
Finney, H. S. Taber, Fred Courtayne, John
Findlay, Beatrice Morgan and Eva Vim
cent Wheels Within Wheels has plot
of both comic and dfamatir interest, and
is written in the brilliant style which has
made r. c. Carton one, of the best known
modern English playwrights- 1t is a smart,
up-to-date comedy, with an original theme
dealing with people of modern London So
ciety. There are four leading characters
in the case-two men and two women. The
plot concerns itself chiefly with the efforts
of the Honorable Mrs Bulmer. a. wealthy
widow, to break UP an ENHANCEMENT be-
fore it becomes too serious between Lady
Curtoys, the wife of Sir Philip Curtoys.
self satisfied, selfish, much-engrossed
member of parliament, and Egerton Var
trey. In carrying out this laudable plan
H. t.t,. P~.< f-r.xx
blemish the Hon. Mrs. Bulmer, who is Sir
Philips sister. and is beloved by Lord Eric
Chantrell, takes upon herself a rather in
eliminating situation, properly chargeabie
to her sister-in law, and thus seriously dam
ages her own prospects with Lord Chan
trell A subordinate theme, which fur
nishes much delightful comedy Is the WOO
ing of the Hon. Mrs. Buimer by James
Blagdon, man about town. When the
play opens Egerton Vartrey is about to
leave on short trip to Scotland. Dur
ing his absence Lord Chantren is to oc-
cupy Vartreys bachelor quarters. While
ChantreIl leaves the room for a short time
the Hon. Mrs. Bulmer enters and breaks
open a cabinet to abstract a compromising
letter written to VarIrey by Lady Curtoys.
In this she is surprised by Lord ChaHtrell.
who, hearing some one approaching, hur
rfed her into the adjoining dining room.
The arrival of Blagdon, who noisiIy tells
ChantreH OF his relations with another
woman which he resires to break Off in or
wealth he regards as the chief attraction,
and Lord Eric's frantic efforts to stop
Blagdon's talk, and especially to prevent
his telling some questionable stories, re-
suit In very amusing scene. The comedy
and its complications are further developed
in the next act which plays in the draw
ing room of Sir Philip Curtoys house Dur
ing this act the love of Lord Eric for the
Hon. Mrs. Bulmer finds an opportunity for
expression. The act concludes with the
departure of Lady Curtoys to meet Var
trey at an inn. 1t is In this inn that the
next act takes place Vartrey and Lady
Curtoys are there and the other characters
are brought in by series of clever strokes
1t is then that through the Hon. Mrs. Bull
mers efforts the impending catastrophe is
averted, though her own reputation suffers
a temporary blemish. The comedy is de-
veloped to a happy close. the lovers, Lord
Eric and Mrs. Bulmer. being finally united.
There are many bright. lines inzsthe play,
and with Cartons reputation as clever
dramatist it would be surprising IL there
were not. The usual matinees will be given
on Thursday and Saturday.