Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-08


gers in recollection. Not that II
is scene of remarkable
strength Too much strength
would he as Objectionable in an Annie
Russell play as in tea or sherbet Deh-
cacy of flavor is the chief OBJECT 10
be attained But this particular episode
has a charming grotesqueness all us
ou-n The idea of tanning recreant
bully of husband at the point OF
a revolver is humor of an essentially Eng
Ugh sort. man after making love 10
the brides best friend on the eve os me
wedding journey further affronts all the
rules of common responsibility ny threat
enins to strike her with a hunting crop
Che draws a revolver and tells him she
would shoot man that struck her no
matter how much she loved him. TAD
leau. The description sounds like
tragedy. But as handled by the London
playwright 1t is only passing SHADOW
in love affair which terminates quite
satisfactorily with no ill-feeling on eitl.er
side. Miss Russells character makes ire
Uuent illusions to her achievements on
a ranch in the western wilds of this con-
tinent She is described as 4 dead shot
and a bronco buster To her credit be II
said that she doesn't look it, Miss Rus
as a charmingiy demure personality that
it woula be disappointment to find her
carrying out the spirit of the dialogue In
her enactment OF this part When she
picks up the dainty little watch charm of
a revolver there is only a sense of mild
amusement And she handles it as If 1t
were a warm boiled egg or a white
mouse.
II recalls the old story OF seasoned
cowboy. who was confronted by gun
in the hands of a tenderfoot. ~Shoot, If
you insist" said the cowboy. but for
heavens sake. don't throw it,
All this seems incongruous. if you take
the play seriously. But it is not nearly so
homogeneous as would be the sight of
Miss Russell planting herself in true Tex
an fashion with weapon that meant
business. Far better take Miss Russell
seriously than the play, for Miss Russell
we viii have with US. let us hope. for
many seasons, while the career of a
drama is at best brief and uncertain.
The popularity of this actress is some
thing like that OF John Drew. She has
coterie of admirers among refined and
conservative people. who go to see her in
absolute confidence that she will present
d pleasing picture OF life as refined and
conservative people desire to see It. She
will never offend. Some day she may
lind a play which, in addition to pleasing
her loyal and particular following. will
awaken universal thrill of popular inter-
est; as John Drew. according to report,
has found such play in his latest
presentati ton. Jack Straw. But there is
not much reason to expect the 1.-The
Stronger Sex viii be it.
Throughout the lifetime of some peo-
pie there is lingering streak of the boy
isfl cruelty that enjoys seeing an i'm
paled butterfly struggling against the in
evitable. There was something OF that
kind of interest in watching Sam Bernard
work himself nearly to death in Nearly
Hero" The title does not go far
enough in describing Bernard. He is the
real thing. No surroundings could entire
ly quench his courageous endeavor, forth
fed as it is by wonderful wealth of
genial magnetism. but no actor in the
heaviest kind of . legitimate part has
been called on to expend more energy
than he does in this production His
songs yield only the humor that he puts
into them himself.
The best lyric in the piece suffered
painfully at the hands of Miss Larue. who
sang and acted as if she wished her press
agent would put her back in her automo-
bile and start her for dear old Broadway
1t is nerve-wrecking to see a musical
comedy performer compelled to hang
around Lafayette Park and Pennsylvania
avenue when every tone and gesture
seems to proclaim with all the terrible
pathos of ennui that she is longing for
Herald Square or 42d street. No one
could have striven more conscientiously
and within the limitations Of the piece
more successfully than Mr.. Bernard. The
chorus danced and warbled as blithely
and contentedly as If the elevated trains
were rafting just around the corner. But
Miss Larue seemed creature OF far
away sadness. despite the lavish gor-
geousness of her banana-peel fitting ward
robe and the presumptive gaiety of the
role she assumed.
After election.' has been the hopeful
cry among managers. Tomorrow begins
the era Of good times and list of excep-
tionai attractions will put the prophets of
optimism to the test so far as this city is
verse the order of things and become ac-
Quainted with stage travesties before the
appearance Of their inspiration. The
Devil" was burlesqued by the Weber
Company and the Salome dance was bois-
terously satirized by Maud Raymond in
the Eddie Foy show. This week we are to
have 1.-The Devil" who has been exploit
ed with an ardor that smacked of blunt
profanity, and some sure-enough Salome
dancing.
In connection with the engagement of
THE Devil 1t is pleasure to add any
words OF encouragement that may
strengthen the determination of the man.
agement 10 prevent the appearance of the
ticket speculator in our beautiful city If
one of these monsters in human form
were to make his appearance on our hith-
erto unsulied sidewalks the popuace
would be SO Mortified and amazed they
might even appeal to the police to have
the creature carted away. 1t has been
long time since Washington has been
threatened with ticket spectators, and if
Satan can be invoked to scare the tribe
off once for ever in this especial enter
prise more power to him!
PHILANDER JOHNSON.