The Washington herald., 1907-07-07
THE QUICKSANDS. I"
New English Play for Next SeasOI
Secured by Wright LOrrimer.

Secured by Wright LOrrimer.
Mr. Wright Lorrimer the player, whose
clever work as David In The Shepherd
King" which has had four highly sue
cessful seasons In America. was In Wash
lngton yesterday to see the performance
at the Belasco. He was especially inter-
ested in the work OF Miss Amy Ricard,
whom he has engaged for a prominent
part In his new play, The Qucksands,
to which he Is pinning most OF his faith
for next season.
Last year Mr.. Lorrimer gave, during
series Of special matnees, Ibsen's The
Wild Duck" his performance of the
character Of Hjalmar Ekdal being highly
compllmented by the press. lie liked
the play so much that at the end Of his
season he went 10 Norway on a visit TO
the family of Ibsen. both TO get more in
the atmosphere OF the play and 20 obtain
access 10 the famous Norwegian dram
aists notes. On his way home he
stopped at London, where the manu-
script Of THE Quicksands' was sub
mitted 10 him by the authors, Miss
Alicia Ramsey and Rudolph de Cord0Ya.
Mr. LOrrimer was so much struck with
the dramatic possibilities OF this play
that he bought II outright, and is now
bending all his energies toward prepar-
ing a massive and ornate production for
the coming season. He has already en-
gagged Miss Huida England. Mr Charles
Kent, Who will be remembered for his
fine performance of Saul In The Sfep-
herd King" and now Miss Amy Ricard.
OF the plot of the new piece. Mr.. Lor-
rimer does not care 20 say much, but il
4, is a psychological drama, dealing with
elemental human passions and emotions.
His part IN the play is that Of Austin
Ferrars, the son Of An English judge.
The play Is modern in all its aspects.
The most intensely dramatic situation in
the play has 20 do with the trial of
young and beautiful girl, who Is charged
with a henOus crime. She Is tried by
Judge Ferrars, who arraigns her bitterly
| and condemns her before she is con
yicted. Young Austin Ferrars has 10 be
in court during the trial and listen 10 the
condemnation Of the girl he loves. and
what makes the situation more dramatic
is that he himself is guilty Of the crime
with which his sweetheart Is charged.
Mr.. Lorrimer Is his own manager and
stage director, and he is himself respon-
slble for the plays he produces. He It is
who decides on the scenic inyestiture, on
the costumes, the incidental music, and
be insists on selecting his own company.
In this he cares little for names or rep
utations Having a part in mind. he
seeks for the actor who can IL IL physic-
ally and temperamentally. then he
watches that actors work and. il pOssi-
bic. engages him. Unlike most players,
Alr LOTrimer has no season Of vacation,
but works iifty-tWo weeks in the year.
So soon as ne has finished acting he takes
ND his work in his New York Offices and
prepares for the coming season. He be-
lleves firmly that II a thing is worth
doing it is worth doing well. and that,
therefore. he must do it himself
1t is not generally known that Mr. LOr-
rimer was educated al oxford. where he
took a high degree IN English literature.
and was offered. on his return 10 this
country the choice of several professor
ships IN English literature at various col
leges and universities But the stage
called him he became utility man in the
Dearborn Stock Company, and when he
emerged # was as the star Of THE SheP-
herd King" a success which placed him
I'm the front rank Of players
Mr.. Lorrimer's season will open with
THE QuickSands," and he may Confine
himself largely TO this. He will, however,
continue TO give matinee performances Of
Ibsens The Wild Duck" He is also
engaged on a new Biblical poetic drama
which he hopes 10 produce ere long. He
has also acquired the American rights 70
FL Mystico. a poetic drama Of great
force by the Spanish playwright Roslnol
This Is being translated by NJ Wallace
Gilpatrick. who adapted Marta Of the
Lowlands" for the stage. A novel by
Hamlin Garland is also being dramatized
by Mr. Cecil de Mile for Mr.. LOrrimers