The Washington times., 1907-06-04
HiLda Spong as TriLby
GiveS Mature Portrayal;
Lackaye'S Role Powerful

wilton Lackaye, as Svengan in '"rril
by, at the Columbia Theater last night
gave the same magnificent performance,
fun OF dynamic force and tragic power
which has excited interest and won ap-
plause wherever It has been seen within
the past decade and more. Mr. Lack
aye has never done anything else quite
so forcefully or as artistlcaIy as his
Du Maurier creation, and the offering is
an unusual one for d stock company.
The Svengali Of Mr.. Lackaye is a re-
pulsive yet engrossing figure. We detest
the hypnotist, yet cannot but admire his
power, his magnetic will. which dEsre-
CARDS the anger of his enemies as
though II were the idle winds and which
enables him 10 accomplish whatever he
undertakes. Du Maurier created a mon
umental and compelling personality
when he gave 70 literature his Sven
gall. and Mr.. Lackaye portrays with
great skill and keen psychic insight the
character OF the hypnotist.
The novelty Of last nights perform
ance, however. was not the Svengali
Most Of those IN the audience had seen
Mr.. Lackaye's impersonatiOn previously.
II WIS Miss Hilda Spongs Trilby for
which everyone was waiting. Miss
Spong. although she has played the part
In Australia. made her WASHINGTON de-
but In that role last night. Her Trllby
4 is conceived in an entirely different
spirit from the one 70 which American
suuences have become accustomed. In
Sne ufst act there IS much that IS IN
girllsh- Trilby seems to be a woman
who has become coarsened by constant
association with men OF the Latin quar-
ter. There Is no freshness or tran
scend&nt purity IN her personality.
woman who has been rearer In the
surroundings TO which Trilby was &C
eustomed 20 be such an individual as
Miss Spong portrayed, on the other
aand II Is inconceivabls that such a
character could so captivate a man as
20 leave her impress on his heart and
mind throughout an absence Of five
years.
Miss Spong's work in the third and
fourth acts was excellent Her reserved
vet forceful methods wels particularly
effective in the mesmerfc scenes. and
her Characterization eyinced both power
ana Ieeilng. II was In the earlier &c
ton OF the play that her conception OF
| the role seemed too mature and worldly.
The supporting company was at us
best And chief among those who de-
serve special attention IS George Gas
ton Everyone who saw the splendid
work Of this sterling character actor IN
Joseph EntangledT last season has
been waiting impauently for him %
have part worthy OF his capabilities
this year His opportunity came last
night in the role Of the Rev Thomas
| Bagot The characterization was thor
oughly amusing without descending 10
buriesque. His reception by the audi
ence was most cordial
Guy COombs made an entirely accept
| able Little Billie. He looked IN. part
and played fl with a youthful enthusl-
| asm and impetuosity that made II dis
| tinctive
Herbert Mckenzie and Walter
/ Howe in the roles Of Tafy and the
1 Laird. respectively. gave finished per-
] formances. Fife Darling was humorous
and picturesque in the role OF Nine. Vim
ard
Percy Leach's struggle with the
French accent made his Zou-Zou ride
I ulous rather than comiCal, but the au-
| dience enjoyed IT,
The stage settings are adequate.