The Washington herald., 1909-08-10
"CHARLEY'S AUNT"
Everett ButterheId and Columbia
PLAYERS I'm Famous Comedy

Everett ButterheId and Columbia
Players in Famous Comedy.
Uproariously funny farce comedy.
slightly tlnged with old-fashloned TO
nance, afford the Columbia Players an
excellent opportunity IN this their last
week but one to immortalizo themselves
in the memory Of a grateful clientele.
"Charley's Aunt attracted huge
audience last night which laughed 10
its hearts content and went home real
ling that the Columbia Players had hit
another bulrs-eye straight in the center.
As a means OF forgetting oneself, OF for
getting ones troubles. and. most impOr-
tant OF all Just now. OF forgetting the
sizzling weather, "Charley's Aunt" Is
recommended. Perhaps the captious may
say that the delicious old comedy con
tains lot OF horse play, and that a man
maSquerading as an elderly female is
undignihed, but he cannot deny that Il IS
funny. and ne cannot point out a
single instance IN which Il IS not
clean and wholesome. The story Is
built on straight dramatic lines, with
possibilities unusual 20 ordinary farce
comedy. II Is true that the serious mo-
ment5 are dangerously close 10 the farci-
cal ones to the effect that some Of the
pretty sentiment is lost; but the story
travels rapidly and consistently. Barring
the love scenes, "Charleys Aunt" IS a
continual scream, from start to finish.
and he must have been sober-mlnded in
deed who did not. last night permit his
loud laughter TO add 10 the general mer-
riment
Everett Butterheld came into his own.
so 10 speak. IN the role of Lord ,Fancourt
Babberly. dressed up as Charley's aunt.
from Brazil, where the nuts come from"
He played II with low-comedy touches
that kept the audience IN a continual
screEm-even TO look at him was enough.
at his black silk gown, his lace shawl.
ridiculous little bonnet. and gray cork
screw curls. Charleys aunt IS a famous
character. created In England by an actor
OF eminent ability, but the actor who
played Il In the United States was not
50 good as Mr.. Butterfield was
last night. Throughout his entire charac-
terization there was evident the intel1-
gence Of the actor. There was no attempt
20 disguise his masculinity, the constantly
recurring reminders OF the real sex Of the
character rendering It all the more legiti-
mately funny.
Ruth d. Blake. as the real aunt OF
Charley. had a role IN which she was
at home. She made q stun
ming appearance In two beautiful gowns.
Miss Blake has not been altogether happy
In the allotment OF parts during the pres
ent season. but as the Donna Lucia dAl-
she was excellent. Her enuncia-
ton Is delightful 10 listen 20. and her eN-
pressions admirable. Il is 70 be regretted
that she has not had big roles IN which
TO show us her real self.
The trio OF young ladies. Miss Edith
Luckctt, Miss Ruth Chatterton, and Miss
Louise Reed. were a fragrant bouquet OF
youth, beauty, and charming freshness.
Miss Chatterton. Ike Miss Blake. mas
not had many opportunities. but she
grasped the one she had last night and
was altogether sweet and winsome Miss
Luckett made her first appearance with
the Columbia Players, and was warmly
greeted. She acted with sureness and
finish. A handsome basket Of flowers
was presented her after the second cur
tain.
Alexander Frank, as Col. Sir Francis |
Chesney. has quite an important role,
which he played with distinction. James
A. Bliss, rotund and jovial. made a big
hit In a pure comedy role, while Robert |
Cain and J. Malcolm Dunn proved that
the pace OF farce comedy was not too |
swift for them. Each Of the newcomers |
TO the Players made an excellent i'm |
preston.
The evidence OF careful and intelligent |
rehearsal was everywhere 10 be seen. II |
Is really remarkable how well the Players |
40 on Monday nights. but they all seem
10 throw themselves heart and soul into |