The Washington herald., 1907-09-24
The New NatiOnaI-GeOrge VI. CO.
hans Latest.

George NJ. Conan has again rung the
changes. This time It IS a rafting melo-
drama with musical variations, disap-
pointing. perhaps. those who expect an
nually TO see q characteristic Conan, but.
nevertheless, providing an entertainment
fun Of pathos and excitement. with an
amply sufficient supply Of that lively
and catchy sort Of music which has al
ways been considered q necessary and
dominating adjunct 20 his productions.
However this eccentric playwright and
musician may mix things up, there is no
denying his extreme popularity, especially
after seeing the large and enthusiastic
audience which was present az the Ma
uonal Theater last night upon the open
ing presentation Of Fifty Miles from
Boston"
The story has for its hero one Joe
WestCOtt, impersonated by Mr. COhau,
who has become the hero Of the little
town Of Brookfeld by winning a great
baseball game for Harvard Now. this
Joe Westcou is in love with Sadie Woods,
the belle and pOstmistress Of the village.
whose brother. Jed Woods, being en-
ployed as her assistant, abstracts from
the government funds S400. which he
places with 800 more OF Dave Harrigan's.
the crooked son Of the village magnate.
They bet against Harvard, and, naturally.
lose, leaving Jed In a critical position.
which the villain takes advantage Of 70
further his love interests with Sadie
Woods There is also q love affair be-
tween Jed and the schemer's sister. and.
after much heartburning and an exciting
fire. everything IS adjusted. and the mat
ter happily ends with the utter discom-
future of the rascal
The musical interpretations are bright
and lively, with clever Miss Emma Jan
vier leading with Amt Il Awful?' Mr.
James c. Marlowe happily rendered "Har-
rfgan,' Miss Edna Wallace Hopper was
attractive in Jack and jill" while the
rendition Of Boys Who Fight the
Flames" and Waltz with Ne" by Mr..
Conan was tumultu5usly received. the APP
plause after the latter becoming so heavy
as to call for "a curtain speech. in which
he deprecated any idea on the part OF the
public OF taking him seriously as a play
wright and musician and announced his
only ambition 10 be that OF d puryey0r of
public amusement
After Mr.. C0hau's efforts, the most
striking entertainment was furnished by
Miss Emma Janvier. who appears as Mrs.
Tilford, the local gossip and scandal mon
ger. Il Is a character role which suits
her talent admirably. and she takes adj
vantage of all opportunities. Her side
talk Is very amusing and her gOssipy
proclivities make telling anu-climaxes at
some intense periods OF the drama. while
her topical verses in her song were pointed
and Characteristic. She does the best
work In the show
Miss Edna Wallace Hopper is dainty
and pretty IN the role Of the heroine.
Sadie Woods. She has an attractive per
sCnality, and she acts in the emotional
periods with effect Her opening song
was also rendered with piquancy. Jennie
Weatherby appeared as Aunt Kate, Hazel
Lowry as Nellie HarTiEau. and Louise
Real as Mrs WestcOtt.
The principal characters Of the drama
We're exceedingly wei acted. Mr. Fritz
Williams adding another 10 his successes
by bis skillful delinegti0n Of Jed Woods
the man OF good instincts. who had made
one almost fatal mistake. HIS acting is
very f0rcefUl after the repressed method
and. together with Mr.. George Parsons
who plays Dave Harrigan. he attracts
the paramount interest Of the perform
ance. The latter makes an admirable
villain. If such a thing could be, acting
easily and making the elements Of tho
character perfectly plain. especially
bringing out the fact that the character
represents one Of the most egregf0us
and malicious liars that has ever compli-
Gated the action OF a play.
Others who did n0blv were James II
Bradbury. as Nathan Westcott. James
{. Marlowe, as Tim Harrigan. Richard
Nesmith. as AIosely, and last. but not
least, in an acting sense. was Torres
Grimm, as Eddie Moseby.
The play is finely staged. with attrac-
tive scenes around the town Of Brook
field, with amusing episodes of village
life. including volunteer hremen. the
rural band, and a serenading. Eroup of
high school boys, whose rendition Of some
OF the old college songs was not the least
entertaining part Of the musical aces
SORES