The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-20
Klein's Play Rejected
By New York Critics;
"Silver Girl'' Doubtful
Week in Washington Has But One Novelty,
Virginia Harmed, in Dramatization of
DOIefuI TOIStOy Work

INTEREST In affairs theatrical for
Washington playgoers last week
/ centered in New York rather than
here. owing to the fact that two
former successes were playing return
engagements at two Of the hrst-class
houses, and at the BeIasco the hgu-
brious Anna Karenina" was forgotten
as soon as possible.
in New York, however, two plays,
which had been seen here prior 10 their
Broadway premieres, commanded the at
tentiOn Of the GOthamites. ''The Silver
Girl and THE Step-Sister."
The consensus Of opinion here con-
corning both plays was strongly second
ca by New Workers.
''The Step-Sister" UnwelcOme Relative.
As has been previously stated in these
columns, The Step-Sister," lacking both
novelty and dramatic force. could not
soned playgoers. The unanimity Of opin-
iou In New York concerning the defects.
of the play is quite remarkable. The
Evening Post says: 1T Is difficult 20
account for the mingled feebleness and
indebtedness Of Mr.. Klein's latest
piece. As a whole it requires no serious
consideration, although it is not alto
gether devoid Of minor ezcellences or.
of popular features"
The Globe says: Theatre most Of the
scenes are, but not dramatlc-not even
an excellent company Of actors can
make them ring true" The Evening
sun says: There was not a convincing
situation. The play didn't have bones,
fins. or a spine" The New York Herald
remarks: THE tense dramatic scenes
were so apparent in the distance and
the pathOs so forced that the audience
sometimes laughed when It should have
wept In a nutshell Mr. Klein's play
IS not a success" The New York Times
thinks: Very young people viii prob
ably enjoy Mr.. Klein's newest play,
which introduces modern variant Of
the Cinderella story. The result is a
fairly agreeable little entertainment for
persons who are willing to overlook all
sorts of implausibiIities. The play does
not invite serious discussion" The New
York Press says: There Is nothing IN
This play to suggest the moving sentl-
ment of The Music Master or the dra-
matte strength OF The Lion and the
Mouse"
But It remained for the New York
sun to be brutal in its excoriation OF
Mr.. Klein's work. The critic on that
paper says: IF one were to tell the
naked truth about Charles Klein's latest
play, he would be arrested for indecent
exposure. The play Is childish I'm con-
strucHon, exaggerated in incident.
mawkish in sentiment trivial and weak.
and silly in dialogue"
"The Silver Girl" in New York.
The pessimism produced by The Step
Sister seemed to have pervaded the
atmosphere ana 1.-THE Silver Girl"
which was seen at the National two
weeks ago, was received only half
heartedly It's faults came in for their
full airing, while in several Of the re-
views its virtues were minimized The
Evening Telegram praises the strong
climax in the third act then adds The
sentiment * very simple and the en-
deayor TO arouse the emotions very d.
rect and far from subtle" The Globe
says: The play viii need quite some
oiling, then the author may rest as
suTed that the verdict of last nights
audience viii stand, and that The Sill
yer Girl will pan almost II not quite
up TO mis- former success, The Prince
Chap George Fawcett scored a dis
tinct hit. So much unfortunately can
not be said of Jane Oaker The char
acter as interpreted by her was worse
than insipid. Her characterization was
the one screening false note Of the
play" The Herald says Of the play:
1T is a good. wholesome. IL somewhat
conventional, mingling Of humor anu
sentiment" The Sun says: ''The chief
attraction Of the little play lies in the