The Washington herald., 1908-03-22

The CoIumbia-Maxine Elliott.

The cordiality with which Miss Maxine
Elliott IS being received IN her new play,
Myself-Bettins, during her present
tour indicates that Miss Elliott has play
that is worth while II win be in MY
self-Bettina" that the beautiful and at
tractive star win be seen at the Columbia
Theater this week II is further granted
by those who seem to knoy, that Miss FL
liott's new role OF Bettina fiSs her perfect
~ and affords her many opportunities for
the expression OF her undlsputed talents.
The play is the work Of Miss Rachel
Crothers, and the author in writing It to
order set about to ft the star with a role
that would show her in more favorable
light than in any other play in which
Miss Elliott has starred in the past. II
has been affirmed that Miss Elliott has
even reached beyond the confines Of the
character and has vitalized 1t with dra-
matte values to which she gives adequate
expression In the lighter scenes Miss
Elliott is charming. and it is said there is
a particularly tender and appealing note
TO her acting in the quieter and serious
parts Of the play.
Bettina is a broad-ninded woman whose
experiences in the world have developed
In her a bigger philosophy than is pos
sessed by most women Her theories
concerning the rights OF the individual
have advanced in comparison with those
with whom she was brought up as a girl
IN small town In New England. Il Is
upon her return home after an absence
OF four years in Paris that her new view
of life is a shock and a surprise TO her
former associates.
u.
their home with friends. Two brothers
in this family love the two sisters. the
elder brother. who has become a minister.
being serious in his attentions 70 Bettins.
the younger brother trifiing with the af-
fections OF her sister. Owing 10 Bettinas $
new view Of life. she cannot endure the
deadly dullness Of the small town. Every
attempt she makes TO enliven II. even n
church entertainment she has arranged
going 10 dances and returning home late
is misunderstood. and she is regarded as
a pretty serious proposition on the high
road TO perditiOn, until il is learned that
her half-sister. Mamie. has been betrayed
by the minister's brother. The minister
demands that his brother and the girl
marry, but Bettina takes another view.
opposing this loveless marriage because
the youth has declared his love for an
ONlitA- DfLL4HE SACRIFICES ltE career dS 4
singer and sends her sister to Paris to
take her place. 10 make a name for her
self. and TO forget the past. During the
argument between Bettina and the cler-
gyman she finds him a bigger and bet
ter man than she had thought him. her
old love returns, and she marries him.
There Is said TO be much wholesome
comedy in this play. with bright lines
and humorous situations. Some Of the
scenes are tense in dramatic interest
Altogether. Myself Bsttina'' is declared
TO be one Of the most entertaining plays
Of the year Miss Elliott's company Is said
to be well adapted to their respective
roles. and those in her support are Rob-
ert Drouet, Eric Maturln. Grant Mitchell.
Thomas J. Kelly. Mary Jarrold. Suzanne
Perry, Helen Tracy. and Sarah Nc
Wicker. There viii be no Thursday matt
nee this week. but a matinee will be
given on Saturday