The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-26
Maxine Elliott In "Her Great Match
at the National.

/ The appearance Of Maxine Elliott IN her
last seasons success, Her Great Match,
was the occasion for the gathering of a
large audience at the National Theater
/ last night II is creditable TO Miss Elliott
and the excellent company with which she
/ is Notwithstanding Nine. CottreIly
and Charles Cherry-that this play from
the pen Of the prolific Clyde Fitch is per-
mitted 10 see the light for a second sea-
son, for Il Is a mere superficial trifie,
dramatically speaking, with good comedy
situations TO lift it to an entertaining
| level. II IS not that Fitch has failed TO
select an absorbing subject for discus
sion-that of international and morganatlc
marrlage-but rather that the treatment
OF the matter is somewhat prosaic in
/ form and devoid Of any distinct dramatic
tone.
| Miss Elliott. however. who shows
marked advance in her art, gives a con-
sistent and attractive picture Of an
/ American girl. with a scheming, dis
honest step-mother, and makes the most
Of some charming comedy work, as well
as carrying off a strong emotional scene
| in a convincing way. Miss Elliott has
! labored under the handicap of being
known as a professional beauty for many
years, and It has only been since her ap-
pearance as an independent star that
she has been able to prove that her am
bition to be an actress Of important roles
outweighed her desire for admiration of
! her personal appearance. In Her Great
/ Match" she has scored an individual
triumph, which should be very gratifying
| to her.
Charles Cherry who has been Miss
! EIliotts leading man for several seasons.
appeared as H. r. II. the Crown Prince
OF Eastphalia, with slight Teutonic ac-
cent. and IS as manly and straightfOr-
ward lover as is possible under the
| circumstances. In spite OF his desire TO
| effect a nOrganatic marriage with his
American sweetheart the prince gives
the impression Of being a rather decent
sort Of fellow after all.
Madame Cottreily came in for a gen.
/ erous share OF the applause for her clever
1 impersonation Of the Grand Duchess, a
part which is played straight" although
1 the opportunities for burlesque are OBJ
I vious and tempting. The Augustus Botes
/ Of Mr.. Thomas was an interesting char
acteT study, and the Countess Casavetti
/ Of Miss Norris was so well done as TO
! deserve remark. Miss Muriel WylfOrd
as Mrs. Sheldon, had disagreeable and
unsympathetic role, but in her hands it
T was saved from complete unnatUralness
I Miss Perry. as Victoria Botes, and Mr.
4 QUartermaine. as Cyril Botes. rounded out
+ a cast Of uniform excellence.
/ Judge and Mrs Anderson entertained a
/ box party that included Lieut. and Mrs
I Timmons, Mr.. and Mrs Garrett A. Ho-
I bart jr.. Miss Carlo Mr. LilIey, and
/ Miss Anderson, Dr. and Mrs. T. Morris
Murray had with them their guests. Mrs
/ Elliott and Miss Elliott. Of Philadelphia
and Mrs. Frederick A. Keep Mrs Charles
Parrish and Mrs. T. De Witt Talmage
also entertained box parties. among the
guests of the former being Miss Sawteu
/ Mrs. Arthur Snyder. Mrs. 6. W CraW-
/ ford. and Mr.. Tyler. Mrs. Talmage's
party included Senator and 8Irs. William
Alden Smith. Mrs. Burrows. Justice and
/ Mrs. Wright, and Miss Collier.