Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-20
LOVERS LANE IS
FULL OF LAUGHS
NOT MUCH PLOT, BUT MANY
GOOD CHARACTERS
Blanche Hall as a Little Girl the Sur
prise of the Play-Desmond as
Minister Looks Like David
Belasco

covers Lane" the Clyde Fitch play
which the Burbank offered crowded
houses yesterday, would never have
made the fame of that playwright-pro-
vided he now possesses fame-nor would
1t ever have won a place for itself hau
1t not bourne a name that Is at least
we'll known. 1t is conglomeration or
bits of Way Down East" THE Old
Homestead" and several other rural
dramas, with hints here and there Of
sundry and several motifs from the
melodramas which deal with wronged
wives and repentant lovers. 1t has a
plot of conventional aspects, some
clever lines that are reminiscent of the
comic supplements, and a series of the
funniest characters seen in a long time.
And, though familiar and not especially
vivid portrayals, these are the plays
salvation, and they alone make it worth
while. Quite worth while, and then
some.
The Burbank players are always best
in humorous character delineations, and
naturally this rather poor bit of stage
craft takes on new meanings and merits
at their hands. In fact it becomes
wholesome and whole-soued delight.
From start to final curtain one has but
to forget that one Is witnessing
drama, and has but to concentrate at
tention upon series of chaps from real
life who meander about in perfectly
natural way, doing the very things that
one would expect from them, and living
their several lives in just the fashion
that such persons would live in their
regular environment. Then, and only
then, does one get the keen inner sense
of enjoyment that can be ones if orIc
will go at it rightly and dig it out.
And for that the Burbanks are entitled
to thanks.
of all these several character sketches
the depletion of Simplicity Johnson,
done by Blanche Hail. is the best and
most astounding. The Burbank's lead
ing woman only last week had the te-
merity to attempt zaza, and she carried
1t off not half badly. The jump from
that amorous, passionate, beastly
woman to simple girl in short dresses
is about as far a leap as could we'll be
imagined. One has to scan ones pro-
gram closely and then ask an attache
before one can believe that Miss Hall
has really metamorphosed herself into
this bit of child life. 1t is wonderful
impersonation, most artistically and
winningly DONE and Miss Hall will play
many part before she so completely
wins approval and we'll deserved ap-
plause.
Another surprise is Elsie Esmond, to
whom is entrusted the leading feminine
role, that of Mary Larkin. 1t is really
an ingenue part, and Miss Esmond is no
stranger to such, but this she endows
with sweetness and a beauty that
makes it idyllic.
third fine portrayal is given by
William Desmond in the clothes of DIR.
Singleton, the minister. Desmond uses
a repressed style that is refreshing; he
looks like David Belasco, and he per-
fectly and most thoroughly personates
the churchman. In fact not in many
days has Desmond appeared to so good
advantage.
OF the rest of the character sketches
great praise is due Henry Stockbridge
as the Pooh-B of the "op'ry house"
SHILLING; Burton as Uncle Bill, Duf1eId
as Deacon Steele, Homans as Brown the
store keeper, Louise Royce as Aunt
,.Melissy, Mrs Bronson as Matte, the
,housekeeper; H. j. CHM as Bridget
Carol Marshall as Molly, the school
maam, Mrs. Fraye; Maude Miller and
Maude George. The Straight" parts
are we'll cared for in the hands of
Arthur Rutledge, Margo buffet and
Maude Gilbert There are several
school boys and girls not in the cast as
printed who do a most realistic rough
and tumble fight that entities them to
especial praise.
The settings are artistic, especially
the orchard. The ensemble effects are
good, and the production deserves
praise for all that the Burbank people
have done with it. Could Clyde Fitch
have seen it he might even have found
excuse for writing the play itself: GER
tainly he needs one.