The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-14
Company at BeLdScO
Clever and Well Cast
But Haze Weak Play

Edwin Arden's company opened its
season at the BelascO last night 70 a
large. ana, for the season. distinguished
audience. He has selected for his first
bill oscar Wilde's sparkling little COM
edy. The Importance Of Being Earn
est" and in the matter Of nice adjust
ment 10 the abilities Of a small but
capable company he could scarcely have
chosen better.
II the first duty Of the drama is 70
/ be dramatic, then The Importance Of
Being Earnest" falls miserably. Never
before was three-act play built around
so slender a plot II on the other hand.
as Henry Arthur Jones has recently
said, the first function Of the theater is
10 entertain. and after that TO entertain
rightly-well. The Importance Of Be
ing Earnest" entertains and, anyhow. IL
does not entertain wrongly. II has not
a serious moment nor a real situation /;
1t is all dialogue, and screamingly
funny, exhilarating, stimulating as a
glass Of champagne and bubbling with
eplgram.
Mr.. Arden is thoroughly at home in
the part OF Jack Worthing He plays il
so lightly, 50 easily, that he really
manages 10 make IL convincing. 1t is
the sort OF part that no one but Arden
unless, perhaps, COllier-cOuld make
plausible Miss Herne is charmingly
pretty In a piquant unusual style She
iairiy bristles with personality and
while she seems self-cOnscious 10 a de-
gree, her mannerisms are eminentIv
suited 10 the character OF GWendOIyn
EalriaN, a consciously sentimental.
thoroughly experienced girl
Charles Hammond makes a many.
attractive, Algy MOncrieff, and sum-
clentIy good 20 look at. He manages mis-
comedy deftly. makes love as if ne had
mad considerable practice. and carries
me thing through with the proper spirit
OF boyish enjoyment. Miss Glendenning.
as Workings ward, described as eight
cen and excessively pretty (to which,
Dy the way, a hypercritical male
growled. He means -exceedingly'-a
girl can't be excessively prettv7'i. 50
thoroughly looks the part that any rea-
soning man would enjoying making love
10 her.
She is the most winning little ingenue
nave seen this many a long DAY, with
al Jhe freshness and charm an ingenue
Is supposed 70 have and generaIIv hasn't
MISS Catherine LOughran handles a
character part with far more assurance
ana eject than one would expect from
q comparative newcomer. Edward Ellis,
Alice Butler, and one or two others
manage minor roles capably and con-
tribute to- an excellent ensemble.
Indeed, II is the company's team
WIN llldL promises TO contribute most
10 Its success Mr.. Arden is, Of course.
at the head Of the cOmpany-and the
applause that greeted his first entrance
completely interrupted the play for q
rev moments-and Miss Herne is his
leading lady. But neither Of them
SHOW any hesitancy about yielding the
center Of the stage 10 their entirely
capable associates.
The play Is not the sort that calls
Tor any histrOnic pyrOtechnics. It re-
CURES above all ease, lightness Of touch.
ueItness or hancling-and IL gets them.
NOBODY turns a sweet pale face Of suf-
ierlng 10 the calcium They are lust a
lot OF ordinary mOrtals who enjoy life
and face their social emergencies gal
lantly- Mr.. Arden had every excuse for
making a speech last night, and nobIy
refrained- At the end of the first act
the audience was photographed. At the
end OF the second the company got its
bouquets.
The production" is simplicity itself
no magnircence either in costume or
setting being required. The garden scene
IS decidedly effective. and the interiors
are adequate. though 10 be honest. Ia
nate 70 live with that wall paper: and
l were an English gentleman living
In The Manor House at WOOltOn. I would
not adorn my walls with pictures that
give the impression Of sOap premiums
without the lettering" However.
that's a matter OF taste. NJ. Med.