The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
WHAT PLAYGOER6
SEE IN GOTHAM.
Franklin Fyles Talks About New
Shows and Passes Judgment
On Them.
CLYDE FITcA's PUZZLE
Money Waiting for Playwright
Who Can Furnish Brand
New Sensation.
FITcH's PUZZLE.
CLYDE
by FRANKLIN FYLEs.


NEW YORK, January 12.-Clara Blood
good and Blanche Walsh are actresses
Of New York birth and breeding; neither
had theatrical parentage, and both made
the transit from society to the stage;
but the portions of society from which
they stepped out were separate and dis
tinct Clara had grown up In an over
look of Stuyvesant Square. which used
to be to New oYrk what Belgravia still
is to London. a residence place for very
pretentious families Blanche had ms
tured within sight OF the Five Points,
until recently our Whitechapel for vice
and sdualor. Don't mistake me to mean
that Blanche's mental or moral culture
was less painstaking than Claras: for
her father, Fatty Walsh. stun politician,
educated his daughter thoroughly: but
the fact remains that Blanche was n
growth OF the Five Points. and Clara
of Stuyvesant Square. Tho Condolences
are curious. therefore, that Clyde Fitch
wrote The Truth" for Clara Bloodgood.
with polite Fifth Avenue liar for her
to personate. and THE Straight Road"
for Blanche Walsh. with an impoiite
Bowery drunkard for her to personate,
and that the two new plays were pre-
sented at theatres directly across Broad
way from each other on the same eve-
ming.
The aptness OF the title of "The Truth"
is In Its impertinency. Tho heroine is
such on habitual and lmpulsive liar that
sha can't tell the truth even when she
sincerely means to. Thus, you see,
Fitch's play is so singular that Charles
Frohman couldn't have been expected to
think twice. If at all, of giving his pres
tige and money to a production Of It. IL
Ind u. Al.
author. And Clara Bloodgood, not act
ing for living. but for artistic dis
tinction, would have flouted the SUCCESS
ton that she take up r:ie role of
Sapphire with an Ananias father. but
that 1t came from the Fitch who Is
member OF her smart-set circle, and en-
listed to make o. successful actress of
her Happily. these conditions favored
Tho TRUTH. and as n consequence, we
get play that Is out OF the ordinary
in subject and matter II not quite extra
ordinary as a dramatic revelation. Don't
skip these next sentences in dread that
they may lead into summary OF the
plot. I shall write only that Clara Blood
good, as Fttch's peculiar heroine, by fool
ish lying to her fond and trustful hus-
band. convinces him that her really clean
relations with an uncean admirer are
lOul. ne AilSl iliill VI Lilo COMEDY Is !
humorous with the woman's impromptu
lies. but the second half is pitiful with
the consequences OF her falsehoods, lead
ing up to her regeneration. and the
whole has the rare merit OF newness
In design and facility In execution.
Graphic Realism.
For SO many years have observed |
flrst-night audiences that detect at sight
n NJ Iptr L.,
social status OF Mrs. Bloodgood, and the |
vogue of the theatre. accounted for tho
presence of extremely fashionable peo-
Pile at the introduction OF ''The TRUTH
They clapped their gloved hands at her
entrance, yet made no rude noise, nor
logged their polite polse for Tho sake OF
friendliness. But interspersed with these !,
nodishly CARRIED and nicely hammered
ones We're quite as, many with contrasting
aspects of commoners. Just as good as
-he genuine swels. mind you, but not
bearing tho brand of the Tenderloin
These were out of their customary place,
hat was evident at a glance, and 7 was
ouzzllng myself for solution OF the
mystery of their presence when 1t was
cleared UP by the entrance of William J.
Kelly on the stage He was hailed with
applause far louder and longer than had
greeted the star actress That was be-
,ause Kelly had been for several years
he leading man In u Harlem stock COM
,any. the stage idol OF ITarleln's feminine
and his faithful worshipers
lad come down from that end OF the
own to the centre, to break their half
iollar theatrical experience with two
lollar occasion when their own BILLY
Kelly played the husband to the smart
let Mrs. Bloodgood.
Houston Street Mol, the character that
Hyde Fitch conceived as suitable to
he virile Blanche Walsh, In writing 'The
Straight Road" for her. swept into frat
lew In a drunken sidewalk fight. She
md another woman had been thrown
nut by n bartender She was blear-eyed
rom drink, her face white and bruised.
Ter hair touseled, and her ragged dress
irty. She mumbled protests to the in
erference beneath her breath, scowled
It the gentle approach of settlement
worker. and made vicious grabs at her
This was graphic and lively
ealsm and the revolving truthfulnsss
i'd not seam to repel the Broadway
udiencs, The fight had started, we were