The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-20
Greenroon1 GOSSIP

IN OW that the dramatic season
season has passed into its
second month. and the num-
Der OF its productions is well
advanced in the twentles," SAYS a New
York critic. AN observer Of the stapa
WIN note the great superiority held by
the light comedies over dramas intended
~ contain sober and substantial Thought
mis- advantage" ne says. lis not 10
oe explained by the whims OF audiences.
4snt pays, IL IS true, ara more sea
souaoie at this time OF the year. when
peOple minds are so occupied with
thoughts OF physical comfort that they
uO hot care to indulge in unnecessarw
mental eXeruon- But leaving out alto
setner the matter OF attendance ana
,itsahIhg comparisons only on the bssfs
OF Quallty, the advantage Is still or, tbs
- - u the hghter pieces. Not only have
they been more novel in IDEAS sn5 1r5t4
ten with much greater exner4ness 49,
Win only one or two exceptions tbsv
nave been better produced and more e :
lsfactorfiy acted
=
For instance, such a genuinely en-
tertsining farce as Is MatrfmonT
'allure! might be considered a VAL
uaole asset 10 any dramatic season
30 saturated is It with human nature
and so deftly is its domestic philosophy
emphasized in its performance, that
II crowds closely the higher cIasSi6cs-
ton OF true comedy. The Fortune
Hunter Is another Of the light niaees
which has the virtues. rare in farce
OF consistent story. a fresh point ~
view and quite reasonable characters.
anu II, 700. is capitally acted. Billy
Is a third among the farces which Of
Ter unusual possibilities Of diversion.
lOt outstanding its dangerously atten-
JARED plot, and to this. trio has just
peen added kellett Chambers can
American Widow at the Hudson. It's
CieNer touches OF humOr and the unfag-
ging sprightliness of its dialogue al
most conceal the fact that its nlot
resurrects an old and frequently en-
plOyed idea.
with the possible exceptions OF Ar
sene Lupin' and The BridSe'-the first
even Of these cannot be rega rded verv
sertouSly-there Is none among the
Eraver plays that in neatness OF work
manship will bear favorable compar-
pieces I have just mentioned. AMI
surely none is better acted. even
though the performances are keyed I'D
20 higher stress.
=
so rapidly have the productions OF
the new season been made that one or
two Of them have escaped the atten-
ton of this column 10 which their
merit entities them. One Of these IS
Mr.. Chambers farce There is danger
that An American Widow owing to
the fast accumulation Of new pia-s.
viii miss the public support which h
deserves II is no reflection against
either this piece or Miss Grace FiIkins-
who is easily excelling all her psst
work In its leading character, that on
the night last week when I first saw
the performance the Hudson Thea
ter was less than half filled. Ever
empty seat was a reflection upon the
discrimination OF playgoers, who, IL they
consulted their best interests would
not allow this exceptionally clever err
tertainment 10 die.
on overcome your disappointment
that the plot is none other than THAI
OF The Marriage OF Kitty as soon as
the characters are plunged into the COM
plicStiOnS. Then the freshness Of tire
dialogue takes a firm hold on YOUR
fancy and carries yOur interest along
buthely with IL 10 the last moment.
Meanwhile YOU wonder why Miss Grace
Filkins has been frittering away 50
many years on emotional roles when
she has had such unusual capacity for
ltght comedy parts Perhaps she mas
rot realized until now IN what direction
her forte lies II so, she has found
herself as the Widow 1[illigrew and she
VIII block her own progress If she ever
again consents TO go back to her Old
characters.
Fannie Ward will open her season in
America in a play by Forrest Halsev
and Lee Arthur. entitled. Van Aliens
Wife. II. Reeves Smith has been en-
gagged as her leading man