The Washington herald., 1908-06-21
AT THE PLAYHOUSES.

J
This play enjoyed a prosperous run Of
year in London. and later was found by
Miss Marie Tempest, who starred in the
piece. to a be most effective vehicle for
amusing Broadway audiences. The
! Freedom OF Suzanne" being one OF the
/ hits OF the New York season two years
hence. Few comedies Of a similar order
| have equaled the record Of success
/ achieved by Mr.. Lennox's play in the
past decade, but. strange 10 say The
Freedom OF Suzanne" has never been
seen in this country outside of New
York City, for the reason that Miss
Marie Tempest was unable to go on tour
| In the play because OF contracts calling
for her immediate temperance IN Lon
don at the termination OF her New
York engagement. Inasmuch as efforts
were made at that time 10 secure this
/ play for Miss Walker her revival Of the
! comedy this week will come In the way
| Of fulfilling a long-cherished ambition,
and, as the closing Of the Columbia The
ater last night leaves the talented
| actress as the sole purveyOr OF dra-
matte entertainment in Washington for
the rest of the warm weather. Miss-Wal-
ker has determined that this weeks Of
fering will be a most memorable one.
The leading feminine role In 'The Free
dom OF Suzanne provides Miss Walker
with a part more 90 her liking than any
which she has interpreted during her
various Washington enga agements. and
this weeks attraction should prove a real
treat 10 the patrons OF the Belasco.
In brief. the story Of the play which
is literally interspersed with sparkling
/ dialogue and situations In an unending
| vein Of light. clever comedy, Is based on
the efforts Of Suzanne TO obtain what she
! Is pleased 10 call her freedom and her
| subsequent dissatisfaction with. and re-
| lection OF, the greater liberties which she
| obtains for herself after some peculiarly
interesting experiences. Suzanne. which.
| Of course. will be portrayed by Miss
Walker. is. at the time Of the opening Of
the play living with her husband. Charles
! Trevor. in the heart OF the fashionable
district Of London. The couple are de-
votedly in love with each other but
, Suzanne a character remarkable for its
accurate portrayal Of feminine contradic-
/ tions IS restless because of what she be-
| lieves Is the nagging interference Of her
1 husbands mother with her pet plans.
! When her husband sides against her In
| a spirited argument between Suzanne and
/ her mother-in-law about the manner IN
which the younger woman should con-
duct herself. Suzanne Immediately de-
/ cides that her husband has ceased 20
care for her. and sets out 20 obtain her
freedom. Her first DAYS adventures de-
/ velop all sorts Of curious complications.
/ In the course Of which she is several times
/ placed In apparently compromising but
really ridiculous situations Believing that
her husband VIII be glad % grant her a
release If she IS found in a compromising
position, she Immediately sets out 10 visit
Z a young man friend Of hers in his apart
ment. This unconventional act she fol-
lows up by Joining another young man
for a cab ride. and at the end Of a some
what strenuous day. returns 10 her home
20 relate with great gustO. all the SEEM
inEly naughty things she has done Then
she promptly flies 20 a French watering
place 10 await her husband beginning
local action against her. She is much
chagrined. however. when her husband
turns up at the same place and bestOws
much attention upon a certain Mrs. Tus-
tall who is so beautiful as 20 cause the
whimsical Suzanne a pang OF jealousy
each time she sees her In company with
her husband. To add 10 the complica-
uons one Of the young men 10 whose
apartment Suzanne had gone I'm London
In her endeavor 20 create a COmprOmis-
ing situation. turns up az the same time,
. ardentv infatuated With her, although
she is absolutely Indifferent 10 his atten-
tions
After a number OF amusing comedy sit
uations. which kept New York and Lon
don audiences In a constant outburst Of
merriment Suzanne determines that the
only one who profits by her freedom Is
her husband and the beautiful Mrs Tus-
tan, and when her husband departs for
London suddenly hurries back on the next
train 20 make amends and settle their
differences. The third act Of The Free
dom Of suzanne caused something Of a
sensation in London because Of the
uniqueness and real originality Of several
Of its situations. Upon arriving in Lon
don. Suzanne goes Immediately 10 her
husbands apartment, where she finds her
better half arranging TO go 10 dinner
with Mrs TustalL As Suzanne had made
a portion Of her journey through a driv-
ing rain IN a motor car. she presents
rather a sorry spectacle upon her arrival.
the downpour having penetrated almost 70
her skin. Removing her drenched motor
garments, she crosses 70 the fireplace dur
ing an animated dialogue with Charles
and. seating herself on the floor. removes
her shoes and dripping stockings and pro-
Il
blazing hearth. This scene was made so
dainty by Miss Tempest in New York and
London that II Is very well remembered
by the thousands who saw The Freedom
OF Suzanne" OF course, in the end all
turns out happily, as Suzanne realizes
that the greatest measure of freedom pos
sible is with her husband
To assure an adequate representation
Of Mr.. Lennox's comedy, the company
that has been appearing with Miss Walker
has been greatly strengthened for the re-
mainder of the season. Such well-known
local favorites as Alfred Hudson. ST.. Alice
Butler. and Jane Cowl will make their
first appearance IN Miss Walkers support
tomorrow evening. Sydney Mather Miss
Walkers leading man, will portray
Charles Trevor, Ralph Kellard Will be
seen as Tommy Kestill, the young man
who imagines Suzanne Is enamored Of
him; Miss Frances keenan,. whose
Icleverness is rapidly bringing her 70 the
front, will impersonate Lady Isabelle.
Suzanne's confdant, while the role Of
Suzanne's rival. Mrs. Tustall. will be in
trusted 10 Miss COwl. The presentation
OF the Freedom Of Suzanne" will mark
the Inauguration Of a new policy for the
remainder of the season Of Miss Walker
ss the plays she has selected for early
production viii be more cOmpetently cast
and elaborately staged
The NatiOnaI-GeOrge X. FOrtescue
! in "San Toy"
Quaint and delightful san Toy" with
its brilliantly tuneful music. entertaining
book. amusing characters. it's wealth OF
irresistible comedy and pleasing stage
pictures OF China and her people.
will be the ninth weekly Offering Of
1 the Aborn Opera Company at the New