The Washington herald., 1908-06-09
AT LOCAL PLAYHOUSES

COlumbia-"Nrs. LeflnGNvell's BSOts."
It would seem that audiences are Just
waking up to the excellence of the stock
company which, under the direction OF
Mr.. Guy Standing, has entertained thea
ter-goers of Washington for the past five
weeks; for last night-the beginning of
the last week of Mr. Standings engage
ment-the theater was crowded with an
enthusiastic audience that enjoyed every
minute Of the entertainment.
The play was Mrs. Leffingwelrs
Boots" one of the cleverest comedies that
Mr.. Augustus Thomas ever wrote. 1t is
a comedy that trenches very closely on
the field of farce; quick give and take;
rapid-fire dialogue; hustling. bustling ac-
ton that requires the best intelligence
that the company interpreting it has 10
give. 1t is a very difficult play for a stock
company to give after the one short
week of rehearsal, which is all that can
be spared. and therefore all the more
credit is due to Mr.. Standing and his
company. The play went with a dash
and go altogether commendable, there
was not a mistake Of consequence not
even Of the comedy fountain in the first
act, and as a result OF the hilarious fun
there were nearly a dozen curtain calls
after the second act. and Mr. Standing
was called on to return for himself and
| his company his thanks for the cordial
reception.
The story OF Mrs Lefingwelrs Boots
is too well known to need repetition
here. II Is comedy that has delighted
audiences for hundreds OF nights, and
# must take rank as one Of the really
clever farcical comedies Of American
manufacture. The three acts all take
place in the dining-room Of the house Of
Mrs. Bonner at Larchmont. and the time
of the three acts is from dinner time one
evening until early the next morning.
| But in that brief space Of time all
sorts Of things happen. and surprise fol-
lows surprise, until the audience is fairly
cOZened into uproarious laughter. But it
/ is play that depends much on the way
II IS presented. and It is not exaggeration
to say that the performance last night
/ by Mr.. Standings company will bear
/ comparison with that given by the orig
inal company.
| The play Is not really an easy play
for stock presentation. because it has no
star part. Its success depends on the
glorlhcation Of no one actor In the piece.
but rather on the teamwork Of the
whole. Mr. Standing plays the part OF
Walter Corbin. the unfortunate architect,
who is involved by the boots OF Mrs
Leffingwell IN a scandal which threatens
TO cost him the good graces OF his lady
love. Mabel Ainslee. very well portrayed
by Miss Dorothy Hammond Mr.. Stand
ing Is at his best In such part as Cor
bin. even II 1t does not give him the cen
ter Of the stage. and II shows how his
natural style OF acting with its keen ap-
/ probation OF technique. stands out In a
part that might almost be called sub
sidiary. Mr.. Martin Sabine plays Mr.
/ Lefflngwell. and gives a striking imper-
| sonation OF an impetuous, jealous. and
slightly unreasonable husband. Miss Jane
Cowl as Mrs. Leffingweu was charming
and Miss Vera Stowe added TO the good
impression she has made this season by
her clever playing Of Mrs. Bonner. Miss
Alice Butler as Nora; Mr.. George Gas
ton. as Orton. and William Robertson, as
Or. Rumsey. all had character parts that
they did finely, and although Jeffreys
Lewis had only a bit" she made that
felt
In short. the performance is a splendid
! one all the way through. and those who
desire 20 see a clever comedy cleYerly
played and which is a sure cure for
the blues, should see Mrs LefingwelPs
Boots" HECTOR FULLER.