Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15


own ideals content to work for the sake
of achieving and animated but slightly,
II at all, by r spirit of rivalry. His de-
termination. though unwavering, has not
been hamboyantly assertive. Each OF
the productions which his artistic energy
has animated has been submitted to pub
lie consideration. rather with the diff
dencc of the student than with the con-
fident acclaim of the professional show
man. He has apparently been little in
fiuenced by other productions. He has
proceeded independently of theatric vogue
and has manifested not only a steadfast
respect for the highest ideals of his pro-
fession, but also the ability to interest
the public in them. He exemplifies the
old theory that a man capable to lead
will find a following.
Tn, American mind. however, is strong
in the competitive instinct. 1t constantly
inquiries "Who is our greatest actor?' as
If the theater were race track, where
the announcement of winners is every
now and then to be expected. This con-
ception of the stage and its work has
caused managers to be regarded in some
thing in the light of owners and trainers,
and placed critics in the position of tip
sters. So be It. In the great dramatic
handicap. Sothern looks. in the parlance
of the sporting page, like the one best
bet.
The list of plays he has to his credit
is a most honorable one. His repertory
for single week displays a wonderfully
wide grasp, and each performance had
qualities distinct and superior. When
Nj. Sothern was accepted as a leading
exponent of light comedy, he refused to
be content. He stepped into the romantic
drama. and when a conservative public
had marveled at his temerity in Drawing
fate so far and at his luck in surviving
the ordeal. he presented himself boldly
an exponent of plays of classical pre-
tensions. And now, having almost con-
WINGED the world that his place is ire
vocably among somber sublimities. he
turns, in the role of Lord Dundreary, to
farce. and carries 1t as lightly as if
laughter had been the one ambition of
his career.
1t may be doubted whe ther the old
play ever had a heartier welcome than
the one it received at the Belasco last
Thursday night. 1t was a curious reve-
lation. reminder that d single character
may be interesting throughout an even
ing. even though it's connection with the
plot is so slight as to be at times i'm
perceptible. The elder Sothern's success
in the part Is the oft repeated story of
a minor part expanded by personal abil-
ity to leading Importance; the old story
that gives support to every subordinate
players heartfelt belief that given the
chose, he could astonish the world.
The real play does little more than to
afford Lord Dundreary necessary
breathing spell now and then. 1t is an
example Of how the work of the play
wright has developed. Whether improved
or not it is assuredly more complicated.
The comedy hero who undertook to hold
the respect of an audience by ostenta-
tiously burning a will in his favor SO that
the lady whom he loved might inherit the
property wpuld be laughed at more for
his heroism than for his comedy. Yet in
sSis perforrhance the archaic plot formed
y pleasant traditional background for a
Mtudy in sheer fun.
Y An actor and producer who can be de-
p pended upon for excellent presentations
of so many different forms of drama
must surely be universally esteemed. If
mathematical classification be insisted
upSn. He can present a very stalwart
claim to consideration as "our foremost
actor"
Yet people will always have especial
favorites. The choice will vary. What
constitutes foremost actor is, to employ
the language of the play, one of those
things that no fellow can find out.
AS Polly of the Circus was presented
on Tuesday night you could take your
chcice. There was Polly and there was
The circus. If you enjoyed pretty
pastoral comedy. with as charming lit
tie heroine as ever beguiled plaudits
from an audience by sheer grace and
simplicity, there was the first portion of
the entertainment. If you yearned for
the hurly-burly of tent life, the glories
of the sawdust arena and general dis
play of scenic magniicence, there was the
appendix.
Miss Mayo. like wise authoress, did
not respond to the calls for her which
the audience in its appreciatve enthu-
s.asm sent up so vociferously. Notwith-
standing the fact that 1t was one of the
most complete and smooth first perform
ances ever witnessed in this city, she no
doubt saw work ahead Before the pro-
duction left the city last night it had the
benefit of careful attention, in spite of ap-
plause and favorable comment with a
view of carrying the dramatic interest
over into the very last act. 1t may be
that Miss Mayo can lay her pen down for
good and all and respond care-free to the
next call for glimpse of the writer of
so much delightful comedy and delicate
pathos.
One of the most favorable things to be
said for The Time, the Place and the
Girl is that it is now on its way to
somewhere else. There is tradition that
plays which succeed in Chicago are
doomed to a roasting in New York. AS
this play had a run in Chicago and a
roasting in New York there were hopes
that it would turn out to be a wonder.
But 1t did no more than to demonstrate
that Mr.. DEACON can be quite amusing If
left TO himself, and that musical comedy
in which both music and comedy are eX-
ceptional incidents is misnomer, not to