The Washington herald., 1907-10-22
AT LOCAL PLAYHOUSES
Thc NntionnI-aPeter PAM

To enjoy Peter Pan" one must still
keep up the childish belief in fairies.
and if one is so busy with grown-up
affairs as 10 prevent a reversion to
childhood's fancies, there IS possibly no
pleasure In 1t. If the presence Of the
largest and most brilliant frst-night au-
dience Of the season can be offered as
evidence, there is certainly a very strong
and lingering faith in the existence Of
those sprites which are supposed TO espe-
cially regulate the affairs OF children.
This week marks the last appearance Of
Miss Maude Adams in Barries fantasy,
and her success has been OF a growing
nature from the beginning to the end
The story Of Peter Pan" is refreshing,
original In conception, and poetic in treat
ment. carrying withai q vein of quiet
comedy and some philosophy. 1t is sim
ply the story Of a child who refuses TO
grow up. who by association with the
woodland imps becomes one Of them; but,
coming in contact with children Of entire
human connections, he finds that he him
self retains the dominating element Of
human happiness, which Is love. AS
story Of delight TO the young. and as d
creation of remarkable interest TO the
old, It should place Mr.. Barrie on the
same plane with good old Grimm and
Hans Andersen.
Nearly every element is introduced
which has in our generation appeaied to
youthful fsncies; Indians. pirates. and
the beasts of the field. The story begins
at home, and finally brings all back TO
home; and rising even higher than the
lost boys love, mother love reigns su-
preme at last. The comedy features
mostly accrue from the antics OF the
grotesque dog nurse and the crocodile
whose yearning for the body OF the
pirate chief is accentuated by the ticking
OF the clock which 1t has swallowed
The pirates. notably Hook. the captain
furnish plenty OF merriment to the adults.
but realistically fulfill. perhaps. every ter
rible conception OF the juvenile mind.
Miss Adams. as Peter Pan. was accord
ed a reception akin to an ovation by the
audience, being called repeatedly before
the curtain at the close Of every act Her
playing is sprightly and full Of interest,
dispensing in fullest measure the exuber-
ance pertaining 10 the character She in
fuses great spirit into the fight with the
pirate and makes a pathetic figure In the
parting scene. Altogether, her character
ization OF Peter Pan will live as long in
the memory as any Of her previous and
more sober successes.
/ The star Is assisted by clever COM
pany, Of ali ages. the strongest support
/ being afforded by the large number OF
/ youthful performers involved, notable
among whom are Walter Robinson "a
/ John Napoleon Darling. and Martha Mac
/ Graw as Michael Nicoles Darling A trif1e
more mature are Mildred Morris as
/ Wendy MORA Angela Darling, Dorothy
/ Chester as ToOties. Ef1e Wheeler as Nibs,
and other members OF the band, while
/ Mr.. Ernest. as Mr.. Darling and Captain
/ Hook. Grace Henderson as Mrs. Darling
l and the pirate crew and Indian tribe
/ render adult aid. while not 20 be ignored
j are the animal impersonators, notably
/ AIT Charles II. Weston as Mana
/ The piece Is attractive in scenic effect
/ appealing constantly 10 the ocular sense
/ and altogether the production is one OF
/ constant interest