The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-12-15
Repertoire of E. H. Sothern
Establishes His Versatility;
Mabel Ta1iaferro a Star

distinguished the portrayals Of Richard
Mansfield. there is a quality in his work
which Mr.. Mansfields always lacked
sympathy and human appeal. Mr.
Mansfield never permitted us to get
away from the consciousness that the
actor was giving magnificent imper-
sOnation. Sothern. on the other hand,
while deficient at times in technique
and I'm the compelling force CT a gigan-
tic viii. succeeds in making his audience
really feel. a something which Mr..
Mansfield almost invariably failed to do.
Sothern the Man.
To those who are familiar with Soth-
eru, the student and the man. his
pronounced success during the past
week In the several roles OF Rodlon.
Francois vflor. Lord Dundreary. and
Hamlet is particularly gratifying. To
the writer Mr.. Sothern appears In the
light of a theatrical phenomenon, for he
is a modest actor. During his engage
ment in Washington last year in dis
cussing his then approaching visit to
England he evinced a remarkable free
dom from overbearing egotism. that
characteristic which has come TO be
second nature with most Of our stage
folk. Il am going to England with
much trepidation," he said on that
occasion. I'm this country have
been on the stage so long that I nat
urally have a certain following on the
other side, however, Miss Marlowe and
1 enter a field where our names are
scarcely known And while l am nat
urally uneasy as TO the outcome, I am.
nevertheless. most anxious to under
take the venture for I shall know then
just what my acting is worth. I shall
be judged solely for my worth, both
in comedy and tradegy."
II is such actors as these. anxious
really to achieve something and not
merely TO live by virtue of a reputation
won perhaps through a single clever
upon whom the stage
must rely for its permanent uplift.
"Polly of the Circus"
A charming stage character was IN
troduced TO Washington playgoers
Tuesday night-'Polly Of the Circus"
1t is the occasion for no little wonder
ment that a play Of such fragile plot
and 50 little action could have taken
such a hold on its audience as did this
simple story Of a child who falls I'm
love with a minister. While the dia-
logue was amusing it was never par
ticUlarly clever. but the simplicity Of
the love theme and entire absence Of
all Theatre devices in the development
OF the story was a restful innovation.
and those who saw the play left the
theater in a spirit of wholesome human
sympathy quickened into being by the
life story Of Polly.
Much Of the credit for the success Of
the entertainment Is due Miss Mabel
Taliaferro, whose wistful vet attrac-|
tive stage presence and appealing voice,
combined with an undehnable quaint
ness and grace Of movement embodied
an ideal Polly. The grief Of a child
over real or imaginary misfortune Is
always a peculiarly pathetic sight and
it was the soul Of childhood which Miss
acting reflected with truth.
Of artistic effect. Malcolm
Williams gave Miss Taliaferro admir-
able support
Theatergoers will learn with genuine
regret that this is TO be Miss Talia-
ferrO's last stage character, for upon
the conclusion Of her New York season
she viii retire TO private life, where she
IS known as Mrs. Frederic Thompson.
But II we must lose Miss Taliaferro It
is pleasure TO remember her swan
song characterization as that Of the
sympathetic little figure
yearning for the love of an upright
man. May the propiticus future that
Unfolds 20 the minds eye IN the final
tableau Of Polly Of the Circus" be an
earnest OF her own future.