The Washington herald., 1907-03-19

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Giassford Us Hankey BannisteT
AS is usual with Mr. Haekett, the pro-
duction has a handsome setting. with all
suitable accessories. large audience
Of distinguished people was present, and
gave undivided attention and hearty APP
preeiation 10 the performance.
New Comedy, .sPIaying the Game" al
the BeIaseo.
Having been taught that "a good name
is TO be chosen rather than great riches, :"
one could not help wondering whether
the trio OF young actors who appeared at
the Belasco Theater last evening and
who were so fortunate as to inherit good
names from their respective sires. would
be seill further fortunate IN realizing upon
their native talents. Jefferson and Bou-
cieault, being names honored IN the pro-
fession OF acting, the sons Of these de-
ceased giants of the stage-Joseph Jeffer
son. William Winter Jefferson. and Au-
brey BoucicaUlt-have much harder
task to perform in winning the publics
approval upon their Individual merits
than those Of less notable ancestry Au-
brey Boucicauit has been well-known
figure apon our stage for several sea-
sons. and has in a great measure made
name for himself but the sons Of the
late Joseph Jefferson have as yet-so TO
speak-but "dabbled' in their adopted
profession, William having played his
fathers role of Bob Acres merely during
the enforced periods OF retirement Of the
elder actor, and Joseph, j., compare
lively uHImportaEt parts,
These genealogical facts, and the added
interest Of a play which is practically
the only novelty IN the local theaters
this week. served TO attract very large
audience TO the Beiasco. and the amuse-
ment created by the MOfatt-Davis COM
edy. Playing the Game. was tempered
only by a respectful attitude OF indul-
gence toward the Young actors who
were bidding for name and fortune.
Playing the Game" is farce, which
begins al once TO cast 20 the winds all
dramatic probability and settle down 10
the business of tangling ard disentang-
ling its characters. Such maze Of mis-
understandings and farcical situations
are involved in the course Of the three
acts that no attempt will be made here
to epitomize the story but il shall be
recorded that there is plenty of good fun
In the play. and if the lack OF technical
precision can be forgiven no one can
characterize the entertainment as dull OF
undressing
Joseph Jefferson, who plays the role Of
a Southern gentleman, one Beverly Clay
Of Mississippi. Is the dominant figure
Of the performance. He makes no at
tempt 70 depict the typical fire-eating
Colonel OF the stage, but pitches the
portrait IN q key quite natural and
atmospheTiC
Aubrey Boucicault has the role of a man
of the world. who 10y becoming involved
in a harmless accidental nigation. becomes
unpopular with his fiancee a situation
which leads him into paths Of untruth,
and those who know Boucicault's PEN
chant for pure comedy will subscribe TO
the statement that his work is not only
ciear-cut and clever, 5ut decidedly high
class. William Jefferson. as a youth who
is marrying for money. carries to juvenile
comedy scenes zeal. which. If some
times a little too uprcariOus, is perhaps
justified by his desire to make the most
of his part
". II. Post. as a hotel detective. fur
nlshed a bit of dry humorous character
work which was appreciated by the audi
ence. Miss Blanche Bender, who Is Mrs
Joseph Jefferson. gave a breezy interpre-
tation of an ingeuue role and Misses
Margaret Malcolm Eugene Hayden. and
Ruby Bridges were entirely acceptable IN
their respective parts.
Playing the Game" as play lacks
dramatic value or local color. but, while
some Of the situations are hackneyed and
absurd, they are easily attributable 90 the
fact that cohesive entirety in broad farce
IS often unnecessary. and that audiences
turn with relief at times from the heavier
offerings Of the stage 10 frifes light as air