Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-27


sions as "The World and His
Wife, which William Faver-
sham has been giving at the Belasco
Theater. II Is n drama with a sound
basis Of phlosophic interest; a consistent
work. well apart from the presentations
whose admitted limitations are those of
simple diversion. The work it under
takes, though far less ambitious than the
scheme of the Kennedy play is carried
ont with scarcely less artistic felicity
1.-THE Servant in the House is double
allegory: a work in which the characters
represent both spiritual and human types
something that has not been attempted
on anything like such scale since Spen-
ser wrote 1.-The Faerie Queene" THE
World and His Wife" is, its title indl-
Gates only a study of single phase of
social life; not broad presentation of
principles by which human existence
should be regulated. One play has for its
inspiration all of the Ten Command
ments; the other devotes its attention to
those which prohibit false witness and
the short and ugly word.
The title gives but little suggestion of
the solid significance of the play. Il
sounds little like a reversion to the hits
that Mr. Faversham scored in "Aris-
tocraCy'' or Lord and Lady A1gy." 1t
is nevertheless appropriate, for the at
mosphere is that of modern society and
the appeal IS to popular interest as
much as to earnest thought. 1t is
pleasantly free from the trickery that
must be employed TO a greater or less
extent when stellar claims TO the lime
light are uncompromisngly asserted.
Mr.. Faversham Is unqueStionably of
the foremost of tie generations Theatre
stars yet in this performance he subordi-
mates his prominence as a player to his
achievement as a producer Like Henry
Miller. Mr.. Faversham gives crafty
ing evidence of what may be expected
when an actor of recognized ability is
given a free hand in the selection and
representation of plays. Unassertivs
throughout the piece. Mr.. Faversham
seems TO ask no opportunities save those
which the action legitimately affords.
Several characters In turn assume the
central position of interest in the story
and each is accorded full scope. 1t is
not until the very end that the character
assumed by Mr.. Faversham comes for
ward with complete supremacy.
The audience at a performance of
1.-THE World and His Wife" is scarcely
less remarkable than the play itself. The
interruptions of applause which custo-
marily signalze the impression that
play may be making are infrequent or
entirely absent. The refusal of Mr.. Fa-
versham, on Monday night, to acknowl-
edge the reception accorded him when
he first stepped on the stage, may have
had some influence in this respect. There
were numerous incidents which might
have justified demonstration had not the
progress of the story been so steady and
consistent that hand-clapping would have
seemed an interruption rather than a
compliment.
The city Is having rather more than
an average share of preliminary represen-
tations this season. Two more are Sched-
uled for tomorrow night. II addition TO
The World and His Wife" last week,
The Gentleman from Mississippi was
introduced to notice. Like the Washing
ton novel, the Washington play is often
attempted. The drama seems d more con-
genial vehicle for depicting life in the
Capital city than the printed page. There
are two conspicuous successes in po-
litical plays to be recorded for actors
still living; that of William II. Crane, in
1.-The Senator, and of Tim Murphy in The
Texts Steer. And"The Almighty Dollar is
not so far back as to be absolutely for
gotten. Mr.. Wise's characterization is
distinct, yet worthy to rank with the por-
trayals mentioned. The story. too, has a
good and interesting and original pic,
diversified with casual episodes which
prove entertaining. The cast is not uni
form in its capabilities and the mounting
neither as accurate nor as handsome as
the subject would justify. The courtship
scene provided for Mr.. Wise at the con-
clusion Is a rather abrupt concession to
stage conventionalities. But the unfavor-
able criticisms to be offered relate to de-
tail and cannot efface the fact that the
performance in its entirety provides ex-
cellent entertainment.
Andrew Mack graciously refrained from
INDUCING IN a try-Out. He equipped him
self with Boucicault drama that COM
mands recognition classic and sang
with the same graceful fervor that made
him d favorite years ago. There was
hearty response to the Irish sentiment
which he personihes. Irish societies made
the engagement an especial occasion, and
II Is Known lndt one the CrltlCS VINO
viewed the performance was careful to
wear green necktie and to provide his
typewriter with d green ribbon In honor
OF the occasion. These disclosures of
workshop incident are perhaps unseemly;
yet II would be too bad to let so delicate
and proper a tribute pass without notice
London theatrical managers are COM
planning tnat chorus girls can't sing.
Those London theatrical managers must
be nervy chaps. If report be rue. the
shortage in talent supply keeps the
American managers too busy helping to
carry flowers TO and from the automo-
biles owned by their coryphees to leave
time for any complaint as to singing
abilities. The success of entertain
nent that seems most trivial IN
the public has brought about extraordi-
nary practical difficulties in its presen-
tation. There is unquestionably a
chorus girl famine, which promises great
opportunities for the young women who
have heretofore been occupied with con-
veying coffee and food t. the patrons of
some of tht white tiled palaces of PROV