The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-06

TT Is not usual for Washington 10
have at one time three theatrical
productions OF such moment as
have been presented here during
the past week Each OF the plays at
tho leading theaters has proved worthy
Of more than passing notice.
The most ambitious offering of the
three-''The Silver Girls a Western
drama by Edward Peple, author Of the
delightful Prince Chap"
In The Silver Girl Mr.. Peple has
cleancut. foroeful drama Of homoSe-
neous texture.
ORE Of the difficulties which Mr.. Pc
pie has overcome with marked success
IS to breathe into his drama genuine
Western atmosphere. while the locale
of the first three acts is New York city.
In this manner he has been able 20
avoid many Of the theatric effects so
common in most plays OF the beyond-the-
Mississippi regions. The chief objection
to The Silver Girl is the decided
thickness Of the first act, and the au-
dible creaklng OF the stage machinery
with watch the principal characters
are ''yanked" before the footlights IN
the last act Not merely the interest,
but the art. with which the play IS
worked out IS on the ascendant scale
throughout the play up 70 the powerful
and unique climax Of the third act. Here
the dramatist seems to have spent his
constructive energies with his dramatic
force The fourth act is handled wIlh
scarcely less skill than characterizes al.
rnelodraua in the observation-disclosures
houses where the hero and the heroine
must be reunited, and the iagenue must
come forth and provoke a laugh or two
Much of the favor with which THE
Silver Girl was received in Washing
ton was attributable TO the splendid
work OF George Fawcett in the role Of
jefferson Hunter. 4 sort of domesticatet'
variety OF the genus David Harum'
transplanted in the West. The big heart.
clean thoughts. business sagacity and
rugged strength OF the Western mine
owner were vividly portrayed by the
o,tiet. digrified. earnest methods Of Mr..
Fawcett. Equally as praiseworthy was
The work of Lillian AlbertSon in the
role OF Julia Raymond, the goverress-
The reserve and seemingly unconscious
earnesrness with which Miss Albertson
invested the role made 1t stand out as
one of the features Of the performance
long TO De remembered
Less. convincing was the work % Jane
Oaker as Annie Hunter, JEFFERSON Hunt
er's second wife. Miss Oaker's accent
was effected. apparently. only by tbs
greatest possible concentration Of Will
and while she was enabled 10 talk
through the part without slip into
legitimate pronunciation OF the English
language. most Of her energies had been
expended before she devoted any
thought to the Interpretation o the
role of the light-headed wife. a. fol
the accuracy Of her accent. 1t would be
an insult to the people Of a self-respect-
ing section to call it western Ed
win Nicauder and Norman Tharp hand
Ell juvenile roles capahly.
"The Lancers" a Delight.
the I.ancers" at the Belasco was :
refreshing advertisement. The play owes
its success not to any iaheren; dram ati'
qualities. but entirely TO the pleasing
manner In which 1t is presented by &c
ella LOTUS and Lawrance D'Orsay, sup
ported by capable company The pso
Of The Lancers" is fragile. but TIT
humor is wholesome and delicious
Neither is it lacking In a faithful oe
Iineation CT young woman's frailties