The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-06
PLAYS OF IMPORTANCE
AT THREE THEATERS
PRODUCED LAST WEEK
"The Silver Girl ForcefuI Drama With Disap-
pointing Finale; "The LancerS" Charming
Entertainment, and "A Fool and a Girl
interesting But Faulty.

b., the raillery is so kindly that the
pleasure Is not marred by any shafts Of
cynicism. The inIpersonation of Sonia
Ivanoff. the whimsical, admir- ation-loy-
ing, coquettish Russian girl, by Miss
LOTUS was 4 genuine treat. Her petu-
lance. her grace Of manner, and the
piquant tilt Of her chin made L stage
picture altogether delightful.
Lawranee D'Orsay's lack of versatility
is probably more marked than any other
actor on The American stage who has
risen TO the dignity Of a sta" but his
own personality is so unique that he
needs only to remain himself TO prove
success as a n1irth provoker.
II is doubtful If THE Lancers'' wc;is
go at all with a less eapabIs cast; SIS
logic is so faulty AMI its dramatic force
is so conspicuous for its absence. It's
the players and not the play in this in
stance. One Of the interesting features
OF The Lancers' was the re-
markedly clever impersoDation OF DIT.
Chrystal by Ben Field. Mr.. Field made
the part Of the little "bounder" physi-
clan so vivid and so amusing that IL was
che OF the big hits OF the week. Dallas
Wexford never gave a -sJ1e faithful
portrayal nor a more laughable one
than Mr.. Field.
Good and Bad in Griffith Play.
"A Fool and Girl" the first attempt
at playwrlting by David WaTlI Griffith.
which was given its premiere at the
Columbia last Monday evening, was not
as forceful as The Silver Girl" nor as
entertaining as The LaHcers." The
play has provoked some discussion on
the ground OF its morality. Ii is not
apparent why one should take excep Ioa
10 the preservation Of a scene IL a oyies-
tonable cafe, when the American r.1b-
nc mas accepted, and with keen relish,
"Zaza,' Iris The Kreutzer Sonata b,
Camille. "Sapho," and The Hypo-
critics "A Fool and a Girl deserves
lar less ceusure for its moral tone than
any Of the plays mentioned. and a score
OF others that might be enumerated
IN point or vulgarity, however. the vivid
picture o. life in THE Bull Pun Cafe
rs winner over all past performance
It's a matter of personal taste whether
one enjoys the portrayal on The stage
Of scenes from the underworld Aseur-
edly such plays 10 not afforI a bi,bI,
amusing evenings diversion. but tbev
are not infrequently productive OF in
rospection, and are. therefore. not alto
ssther valueless as exposes OF nov, tho
other half lives.
Fool and a Girl shows NAM.
o. the crudities of the young PLAYWRIGHT
ne central theme in both the second
ana third acts is buried IN a plethora
oil uninteresting talk, the only object
or which seems to be to show the CON
tending forces OF good and evil in the
heart OF the girl The end for which
me playwright strives is artistic, but the
| means by which he accompIishes II
show the amateur. 4 splendid oppor-
| turity for an admirable oonicsl situa-
/ ton is thrown to the winds in the
| third act by lack OF good stage busi-
ness and intelligent acting when the
| temporary mother" IS brought upon
| the scene.
| In spite of the fact that the play de-
| picts characters Of the substrata. Of
society, its preachment is anything bul
! pernicious.
Instead Of selecting a senseless old
/ English stanza as his Inspiration, Mr.
Griffith might. with moro propriety
have taken that patitudc: There Il
so much Of bad in the best of US, and
80 much OF good In the worst Of US
| etc