The Washington times., 1909-10-31
Small Measure of Success
Due TO Early Attainment
as Comedian.
POLISHIS FEATURE
OF ENGLISH SHOW
Benefit Performance at Belasco Is
Worthy Effort-Attractions
for This Week.
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.

By 7. R. HILDEBRAND.
All in all, Louis Mann was a dis
appointment. AS an actor he is today
in the class of the men who shO red
promise of power but nave failed in
-he fulfHment What measure of sue
cess he has attained in THE Man Who
stood Still" rests upon his earlier at
tainrnenTs as a comedian and not upon
his more recent ambition TO be al
actor OF serious parts.
A curious paradox is presented by Mr..
Mann's ''Krauss." His impersonation IS
excellent, his acting poor. His methods
undergo a complete reversal when he
turns from the ridiculous TO the serious
He appreciates. perhaps, better than any
living comedian. the value OF repression
in bringing a laugh. To interpret pathos
he rants, tears his hair. shouts. and
goes through all the PAGES of melo-
drama star. The same quiet methods or
expression. the whole gamut Of emotions
that he uses. when he is funniest would
be highly effective
Mr.. Mann is Handicapped by a poor
play. It lacks continuity. The pinochle
game is its redeemiag feature and this
must have gone a long way toward the
continued life of the piece.
Sometimes we can learn much from
the English musical comedies Charles
Frohman is bringing wholesale to our
floors kitty Grey came &c Washing
ton for a quiet stay and went without
attracting half the attention 1t deserved
: in contrast to a number of rocky and
uneven stretches of musical entertain
ment we have experienced in this young
season kitty furnished smooth going.
See haz
and il did not wholly lack in substance
as far as the substance Of musical
= comedies go
The music was catchy, which IS all
that is required. The plot was slight
but evident and the lines We're clever,
which is more than We have been taught
70 expect
the part assigned to George Huntiey
may be open to objection upon the
ground that it is a palpable Imltatloh
of the Lord Dundreary type But tI-aI
vas forgiven for it was a very good
imitation. English hunOr in this in
stance seemed to hit straight home be-
fore an American audience.
Ia one thing alone the production was
unhappy, and that in the authors cheice
Of material for his plot. This may de-
tract from the popularity IN American
cities the Operetta deserves me sub
ject-rnatter is eminently adapted 10 a
problem play. but not TO light opera,
Marital infeHcity and tuneful music and
wholesome humOr are too Tar removed
10 be successfully alloyed-
Lew Fields propaganda that a musical
show now needs a coherent plot and a
star or extravaganza trimmings and
no stars at all to make good was ex-
emplifed in 1.-The Golden Widow This
infant received a cold reception. But II
is not doomed TO failure If one or two
principals who can sing are introduced
into the cast.
Just how much a good play depends
upon good acting was exemplified this
week when THE SqUaw Man" an ex-
.cellent play. was poorly acted at the
Academy This production, presented
for the first time in this city at popular
prices, did not measure up TO Mrs
Wigs OF the Cabbage Patch. Wf.Cf
made its popular priced debut at tbs
Academy the week before
y human interest story that sheds
light on the persons behind the foot
lights viii be staged at the BelascO Fri
. ! day afternoon when benefit perform
ance will be given for Mrs. william
Short. known TO the stage as Evelyn
The Performance win recall. inciden,
tally, the struggle Of this deserving
Young woman TO nelp her husband Nv
= down his record, 10 lend AID 10 helpless
members Of her family and viii agar
t.rinE 20 mind the sensational episode a
the Union Station one week ago wheT
the young woman was shot by her nus
hand who then killed himself. But tn
lesson II holds lies in q practical demon
stratiOn that there is much more OF
hlIrnaneness and kindness among th'
members Of the profession than
generally supposed.
There may be objections % the bene
1T performance because l. serves q
advertise an episode that should be for
gotten. But a theatrical man Of SOUND
judgment has investigated this case ant
the family 10 be both worthy an'
in Immediate need OF funds. This is ful
justification for the one means tT eg
tending help wherein the charity VIII b
2 confined to members of the theatrica
profession who give their time Tn
Performance. from all indications, vii
p worth more than the price Of al
mission
The streets in the Capitals "Littl
White Way" where the chorus girl
congregate. viii iook deserted and color
Jess this week The theaters VIII Offe
a program Of drama, unallOyed.
At the Belasco, son Of Washington
Wilton Lackaye, viii play a return en-
Eagement ia THE Battle" THE HOus
Next Door" which comes 10 the Ma
tionaI Is said 20 deal not altogether Il
humorous vein, with the race prObieT
as the English see IT, The seriou
drama will be offset by a rich desseI
Of humOr supplied by Miss May Rob
son who will TeiuVenate Aunt Mary
again at the Columbia.
PROPHET pARDONED