The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-16
Academy of Music-"rhe Way out
and cousin I<nte.-
CoIoninl-Camcrnpho
Notwithstanding
IdIewoOd-Vaudcvi willie.


Before an audience which felled the
Academy. and which numbered the
most fashionable people OF Richmond
the Giffen Company last night pre-
sented Miss Cally Ryland's clever one
act farce, The Way OUT as cur
tain raiser TO Cousin Kate" one OF
the most charming comedies OF recen.
days.
Society turned ont in full force in
honor of Miss Ryland. who occupied
one of the boxes with party OF
friends. The Way out is a farce.
full of witty lines and humorous ac-
ton. It's the old plot of young hus-
band, a young wife and a merry
widow, who is fond of the other
woman's property.
the widows cozy drawing room. there
follow situations and explanations.
Ripples Of laughter and bursts of APP
plause punctuated the skit.
Miss La Verne, always q favorte,
played the widow with a dash and
sprightliness that captivated those In
front OF the footlights, while Miss
Johnson and Mr.. Patton. the lovers,
shared the honors of first performs
ance.
A full dozen curtain calls were
forced upon the artists, but in spite
of insisted calls for authors Miss
Ryland refused to make even bow to
the house.
A Charming Production.
The Way Out" was followed by
Cousin Kate" three-act comedy by
Hubert Henry Davies, and the pro-
duction of this matchless English
comedy by the Giffen Company was
like some rare old cameo in richly
chased setting.
The play; which was superbly mount
ed. is permeated by such an atmos-
phere of freshness, purity. peace,
quaintness and beauty, combined with
such genuine comedy, that it has an
unusual charm.
Mr.. Richard Bennett as Heath Des-
mond, an Irish artist, is at his very
best His characterization of this part
was wellnigh perfect and his Irish
accent very captivating. AS Cousin
Kate" novelist, Miss Grayce Scott
was more than her charming self.
which is saying q great deal. and her
portrayal of love at first sight, the
gradual deepening of her love, her
struggle against it, and her final sur
render We're done with an artistic
touch. MI. George Howell, as the Rev
erend Joseph Bartlett, appeared in a
other part he has heretofore played
as it was possible for it to be, and in
last nights performance he made an
other distinct hit. Mr.. Howell as the
Reverend Joseph Bartlett again dem-
onstrates that he is q character actor
of marked ability.
The character of Amy Spencer, the
girl who always followed the prompt
ines of her conscience was intrusted
to Miss Janet Dunbar, and the inter
pretat!on given this character py MISS MISS
Dunbar last night was such as -
Justify the prediction that Miss Dun
bar will win distinction N her art.
Miss La Verne. as Mrs. spencer tho
old IA shloned old lady and uncon-
scIouslv scheming mother, was as usual
admirable, and Mr.. Morgan. In the
slirht part OF school boy, most salts
factory. -,
while "Cousin Kate is entirely DIFF
ferent from those Citizen plays whlch
have been designated as his best lt
is moro charming and compares fa-
vorably with the hest Of the best, Tor
there is touch of fairy lore and enid
dream about the story which Appeals
alike to young and old. cousin kate.
and her friends arc both charming and
lovable.
Society ut the Play.
Society in brilliant attire hied itself
to the Academy last evening, 'fillod
the boxes and loges and made the
evening a pronounced success for Miss
.Cally Ryland, the Giffen Company and
the Girls Club. rt9 E
II Miss Ryland, gowned in White and
carrying a big bunch OF American
beauties, was the centre Of m,lch cons
gfatulatory and interested observation.