The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-26

The visits of Maude Adams to Wash
ington are all toe scarce and her re-
turn here in Peter Pan" where the
Barrie play was produced for the first
time in America. was an event of no
small Importance. Miss Adams Peter
Pan, like the hero of the play, will
never grow old The memory Of it is a
joy forever. Robert Edeson appeared
in new American play this season.
CLASSMATES" somewhat inartistic
comedy of melodramatic hue. 1t served
admirably as a vehicle for this manly.
invigorating actor, however. JOhr
Drews coming in My Wife," intro
duced to Washington a gifted young
actress, Billie Burke. who will be a
star in her own right next season. The
play is Of the light, semi-farcicaI
French school. but on the whole di-
verting If cffervescent.
The personal magnetism OF Ethel
Barrymore served TO make Her Sister.
one of the most enjoyable entertain
ments Of the year. The play itself is
trivial, but Miss Barrymore's art made
1t distinctly worth while. Another star
who rose superior 20 a bad play and
achieved a signal personal triumph was
Marie DOro in THE Morals of Mar
Gus The play was decidedly weak in
construction and lnCOnseQuential in
theme. but Miss DOrO's charming per
Sonallty made it one Of the bright spots
IN the dramatic heavens.
Deficient in Classic Drama.
In considering tho lighter plays, The
Road TO Yesterday" with Minnie
Dupree as the star. should not be over
looked. 1t was unique, diverting. and
charmingly simple The uch-heralded
The Rose of the Rancho" a BeIasco
production which came to US after an
unusually long New York run. was n
distinct disappointment Miss starr is
an engaging little actress with a pleas
ing personality, but she needs a play
which has more TO commend II than a
not Of light and color artistically
blended before she can gain a strong
hold upon the affections Of the public.
Both these plays We're seen at the Be
lasco. Girls" Clyde FItch's hftieth
play. and one Of his brightest. had lis
premiere at the same playhouse. It has
made a big hit in New York, where If
lis still running.
In classic drama the season has been
deficient. Ben Greet appeared ins Mac
BETH without scenery; Miss Marlowe
gave a single Performance of Romeo
and Juliet Cand most delightful per
Torrance it was). devoting the remain
der of her engagement 10 a medieval
comedy by modern author. This play.
Gloria was CharmingIy acted. but IL
was not altogether worthy of Miss
MarlOwe's intellectual and histrionic
capabilities. James O'Neiu, at the Co
lumbia. offered two classic plays. .'Vir-
giniUs' and Julius Caesar" IN addi-
ton TO his Monte Cristo.r
OTIS Skinner appeared at the National
in unique role, that Of Col. Rrldau.
taken from Balzac. It was a remark
ably vivid piece of character work. and
has won its way in New York
Eleanor Robson also gave an inter
esting performance in an unusual role.
that OF ''Salomy Jane" a product of
Western civilization. Of even greater
interest was Rose StahTs striking stage
portraiture in The Chorus Lady" seen
at the Columbia.
Nat Goodwin was seen at the Column
bia in an interesting revival Of several
Of his former successes.
Olga Nethersole's engagement at the
National was i distinct disapDoIntrnent
Her new offerings, THE Awakening. -
Pagliacci," and The EniEa-a." the
first and the last being of tn. noxious
sex plays Of the French school did
not aH0rd opportunity for AIRY strikin 8,
emotional work The most satisfactory
play IN her repertoire was her old sue
cess, "SaphO."
Virginia Harned's engagement in AN
na harcnlna' was equally unsatisfact-
DRY.
Wealth Of Musical Comedy.
There has been a wealth Of good. bad
and Indifferent musical comedy. one Of
the best Of the year being Tom Jones. 9"
produced at the Columbia The Red
Mill finally reached Washington and
proved to be the biggest money-nlalzer
Of the year The Hoyden" proved a
clean, tunefuI entertainment aad the
music in Miss Hook OF Holland" more
than atoned for its sad humor. THE
Partisan Model" 'Marys Lamb, ." The
F'Oilies Of 1907 were all decidedly risuue.
but in each there was an abundance Of
good music and pretty girls, and as a
consequence all were distinct successes
financially.
OF the offerings which were mildly
pleasing, but which made no lasting
impression, were The Rich Mr. Hog
genheimer' The Silver Girl The
because it was the last play in which
Clara BlOodgOOd appeared in Washing
ton prior to her tragic death in Balti-
more the following week; Lola from
Berlin Blanche Walsh's The Kreut-
ger Sonata" Going Some" THE Cav
White Way" The Regeneration OF
Aunt Mary The Orchid The Little
Cherub, The Rogers Brothers in Pan
ANA, Myself Bettina. 90 The Three OF
. Us" The Right Of Way"
In the class Of undesirables in the
musical comedy line snould be written
The Girls from Holland" The Dairy
maids" His Honor the Mayor" Com
| ing Thro' the Rye" THE Tattooed
Man" Fascinating Flora, Fifty Miles
/ From Boston, The Time. the Place.
and the Girl" and Hip. Hip. Hoorav. -
Among those productions which flick
cred titfully for few brief nights upon
/ the stage OF action and then passed into
I outer darkness were The Christian Pill
/ GRIM, "A Fool and a Girl BLUFFS. -
| '-Toddles, The House Of a Thousand
/ Candles, The Ranger, a Village
/ Lawyer Bridge" Ruth" and "A
/ Modern Lady Godiva."
| The Capital has been poorer this sea
/ son than last in the personnel Of its
/ actor contingent We sadly missed
! Ri chard Mansfield. Forbes Robertson