The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-27
Columbia Favorite Gives
Charming Presentation of
Lady Ursula.
COMEDY SCORES
A GREAT SUCCESS
Real Romance Recalled in Love
Scenes Between Sir George
and Heroine.

'TThe Adventure of Lady Ursula was
produced al the Columbia TheateT last
night and the audience that filled the
playhouse was practically unit in the
belief that the Columbia Players HAD
scored the hit Of the season in An
thony Hopes enhancing comedy.
Starting with d bit OF dialogue that
for a time dangerously approaches the
tiresome, the very language quickly de-
velops into one Of the most fascinating
elements entering into the making of
the play, to which Is added the con-
tinued heart interest of an absorbing
romance, And of the players and their
Interpretation of the characters entrust-
ed to them only praise can be offered,
after passing over the difficulty of the
language which will correct itself be-
fore the curtain is again rung up.
As the Lady Ursula Julia Dean rises
far above anything she has hereto
fore undertaken, and both in doublet
the hose and in the flowing skirts OF
the early part Of the eighteenth cen
fury. in which period the action Of the
piece transpires, she holds the at
tention with her womanly graces, with
the daintiness of her work, with the
sweetness of her interpretation and
with the unaffected modesty, incident
TO the absence of skirts, that attains
the height Of true art in that the art OF
her work is concealed IN the delight
of its contemplation.
Story of Play.
''The adventure of Lady Ursula" deals
with the prank Of a lady that for
time threatens the life of her much be-
loved brother, the Earl of Hassenden.
Without ever having met Sir George
Sylvester, who is known throughout
the country as a woman-hater, or haY-
ing been seen by him, the Lady Ursula
chafes under the sting Of his indir-
ference TO her charms, and under a
wager with her cousin, Dorothy, at
tempts to gain admission to Sir George 5
suburban home by feigning illness
while driving in its vicinity.
Sir George, having vowed that no
woman would ever cross his threshold,
tenders, through his servants, the use
of his wines and TestOratiTes, but meet
the suggestion that a half hours rest
upon a couch is more necessary with
the offeT Of his porter's lodge. The Earl
Of Hassenden, a soldier OF the King
who chances by at the time. resents the
insult TO his sister, and, as was the Gus
tom of the time. challenges Sir George,
who is wildly known as the Rest swords
man in the country.
Lady Ursula, overcome. with grief, de-
termines that she VIII see Sir George
and prevent the threatened tragedy at
any cost. Dressed in the trappings OF a
Younger brother, who IS away IN
France. she presents herself at the
abode of Sir George as Waiter HasSen-
den So well does she succeed IN her
mission that she not only receives as
surahce that there Will be no duel, but
delighted with his Eew acquaintance,
Sir George declares Eis purpose or &C
compa1yiEg him 10 his London home,
there to meet the family and adjust the
affair.
Faces Second Duel
In dismay. while Sir George has with
drawn 10 prepare for the trip, Lady
Ursula fees to her brothers lodging in
london where in his absence she unwit-
tingly gives ofense to some Of his as
sembled friends and fellow officers and
before she realizes it. with the arrival
Of Sir George. she has a double duel
on her hands.
The Strengthening out Of the difficulty,
the realization by Sir George that his
brilliant visitor was none other than
Lady Ursula herself and the final be-
trothal Of the two occupies the remain
der of tire comedy which sustains the
interest TO the very end.
OTue Caldara, with Miss Dean lives
the romance Of the play for Il was in
this piece that the counting that eventu-
ated in their marriage took place. liver
EFT Butserfield ADDS another of those
excellent Characterization which have
made him one Of the foremost members
Of the company and the other faVOTltes
appear TO excellent advantage. All ia
all the play IS one Of the very best OF
the Columbia offerings and should tax
the capacity n the playhouse for the
remainde- Of the week.