The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-07
NOTE AND COMMENT
OF PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

The death of Clara B%loodgood removes
from our stage an actress who most
charmingly adorned It. Whether In thu
lighter moods of comedy, in which she
was gracefully winning In a deliciously
feminine way, or in the expression OF
emotional excitement, in which her talent
was considerable. she was always the
artist. She never tore a passion to tat
tiers. Her quiet and restrained method of
carrying the conviction OF suffering across
the footlights was moving, because truth
full and informed with right feeling. Mag
netism of manner and beauty of face were
hers in a marked degree. She was petite,
and of a personality that did not adapt her
for roles more towering than those she so
ably exploited in the society dramas of
Clyde Fitch. But within her limitations
she was absolutely pleasing, and never
failed to win a way into the hearts of her
audiences.
1.-THE TRUTH the play In which Mrs.
Bloodgood was appearing at the time of
her DEATH, was, we submit, in spite of the
rating 1t received at the hands of metro
politan critics. one of the best pieces of
dramatic writing Mr.. Fitch has ever done.
Only in a few plays, such as, perhaps,
The Girl with the Green Eyes" THE
Climbers and Her Own Way" has he
done better work. The theme Is universal
in application-the danger of lying and
deceit practised in little and seemingly
unlmportant things, until a habit has been
fixed and faith is undermined-the charac-
ter drawing and technical construction are
good. and it was splendidly acted by Mrs.
B~loodgood, In the role of the wife whose
innocent receptions and fiirtations brought
uphappiness upon her. The play succeeded
in London, and why it should not have
done so in this country is hard to compre-
bend.
Robert billiard, who is at Proctor's next
week in a one-act play, has been one Of
the most successful leading men in the
country He was last seen in that capacity
in support OF Miss Blanche Bates, appear
ing In the character of the road agent in
''The Girl of the Golden West"
During next week Signor Ermete No
velll, the italian actor, will present a new
play at the Lyric in New York-"Dante,"
by HeIolse Durant Rose. This is said to
be one of the most powerful dramas of
contemporaneous writing.
Miss Julia Marlowe will open her sea-
son at Philadelphia during Christmas
week in q new play by James B. Pagan,
Gloria The supporting COM
pany includes Alice Harrington, Eugene
Woodward, Gwendolyn Piers, Frederick
Lewis, White Whitlesly, Charles C. Quinn.
Myron Calico and r. L.. coleman.
The Fool Hath Said in His Heart the
new pla by Laurence Irving. which is
being produced by E.. H.. Sothern, is a
dramatization of Dostojeffski's novel,
Crime and Punishment" Mr.. Irving spent
several years in Russia on diplomatic
service, on which experience he secured
the local color and data.
Mr.. Sothern is now rehearsing his fathers
old role Of Lord Dundreary in Our Amer
lean Cousin,'' which he will bring out in
Washington next week.
Several changes have been made in the
cast of 1.-THE Secret Orchard" since its
first production on the road, and in its
new form it will be offered at the Lyric
Theatre, New York, commencing December
l6. The play is a dramatization of Agnes
and Egerton Castles book by Claiming
Pollock, and has been made into q very
but strong play, in which the Sc
we're attitude Of society in the case Of the
who sins is upheld for reprehen-
sion.
'fThe Hoyden,'' the musical comedy in
which Miss Elsie Janis is appearing at
Waliack's, New York. has been consider
ably boIstered up since it's initial produc-
ton, and now gives a good evenings en-
tertainmEnt. The principal factor in its
success, not even excluding the clever
Of the star, is the d~rollery of that
"a pitai burlesque comedian, Joseph Cow
thorn, recently added to the cast.
Mrs. Efske. who will soon end her pre-
Ilminary season in Tess Of the Durber-: