The Washington herald., 1907-09-17

nude lady on a white horse-as much un-
like Miss Bingham as II would be posi-
BILE to imagine.
But 10 point out defects is an un-
gracious task, only these defects are so
obvious in play that is offered for
serious consideration
II Is pleasanter 10 record that as an
entertainment the play seems to please.
There was plenty Of applause at times,
and after the third act Miss Bingham got
a good many curtain calls and after the
hrst act was presented with a bouquet
over the fCotlights. The acting OF the
various parts left little to be desired
Miss Bingham, OF course. does most Of
the work. and such work as falls TO her
is, barring the first scene Of the first act
OF the heavy emotional order. which she
always does we'll The part is not really
convincing in itself, and therefore II is
hard work for the star 10 make her
heroic speeches completely real; but the
art which she brings TO bear and the
clever way in which she uses her voice
and takes advantage of facial expression
would do it if anything would. She has
a voice which is always able TO catch the
sympathieS of her audience. and there are
few women on the stage to-day who can
use theirs more adToitly. She plays the
part OF Lady Mary with a soft irish aC-
cent. which comes trippingly enough In
the comedy moments, but she loses the
brogue IN the stress Of emotion, which is
perhaps natural
Miss Bingham has admirable support.
W. L. Abingdon as Sir Charles Fulton,
does excellent. sterling work throughout.
Dignihed. holding himself well in hand
until the last moment In the fourth act
his repression up 20 that time lends
additional value TO his work here. His
portrayal Of a man with a bad cough and
only twenty-fOur hours 90 live unless he
was taken away from London az once
was not convincing. but the fault lay
I'm the situation more than IN the acting
The Harrigan Of Mr.. John Kellerd was
a very good piece OF work. Clearly con-
ceivcd and well carried out, Opportunities
for sensatlonalism in the first act be
wisely subdued, and in the last act, where
the situation he has 20 carry through is
not pleasing, he was reserved and foro--
full
Very clever comedy was contributed to
the play by Mr.. Frank HolIlns as Flgar
FitZ-Yernon. a typical Englishman OF the
Il say, its ripping sort: one OF the best
charaCters-as chsracters-iu the play
The idea of a chap honest enough to WOO
an American girl by telling her frankly
that he needed the money is refreshing.
Miss Jane Gordon as Clara, the American
girl. was also very good Low comedy
was furnished by Charity, the maid. ey-
cellently played by Miss Caroline New
comb, and by Harry, the Coster. PLAYED
by Mr. Hugh Cameron; a bit exaggerated
but stilI good. The other parts not Of
much consequence. were in good hands
The play is finely mounted. lavfshlv so
one might say, The scenes are of great
beauty all except that garnet. the lights
are used skillfully. and the pictures are
pleasing 20 the eye. Music, supposed 10
be incidental 70 the play, is rather over
done There is the hunters bugIe in the
first act when the hunters return-that
signals the first appearance of Miss Bling
ham; then there are Italian musicians NJ
the dinner on the lawn. In the garrett the
coster sings and in the clubroom scene
there Is music, as there is I'm the bedroom
scene at the hotel, supposedly coming
from an orchestra downstairs. though II
must be pretty late at night. Then. as II
is Christmas Eve. there are the chimes
from the churches. which fit in lust after
the fight between the two men.
A Modern Lady GOdiva" is a plav that
gives its star some good opportunities for
emotional work. it is Well acted and il is
well dressed Whether its story is Of SUI
Hclent human interest 10 entertain aver
age audiences remains 70 be seen.