The Washington herald., 1909-07-27
a SPLENDID COMEDY.
"rhs Adventure Of Lady UrsuIay a
Gem of Witty Lines.

-" A~EN oI ANuV LrAuAG' q
Gem of Witty Lines.
The masterpieces Of comedy. such as
I "a School for Scandal" or The Rivals. &"
furnished the prototype upon which THE
/ Adventure OF Lady Ursula was built
/ But let II be at once understood that
Anthony Hopes brilliant play IS no slay-
ish Imitation. either IN conception or exc
cutlon. Of the works OF the English mas
ter, Sheridan. It simply belongs to the
same school. wherein a battle OF wits and
a ciear-cut comedy-drama are enacted
amid picturesque surroundings by enter
/ tainfng characters.
The Columbia Players last night went
OF az tangent-so 20 speak-forsaking
/ the various manners they had previously
| assumed. AID showed themselves IN an
entirely new light. That they would shine
/ brightly was almost a f0regone concIu-
sion. for the Players have not failed the
public yet Everything they have done
so far has borne the stamp OF genuine
ness and Of capabiIty. They have per
| formed 50 admirably in their tasks VI
20 date that "The Adventure OF Lady
| Ursula" exceptional though II is as a
play, and heavy with opportunity. Is
merely another milestone in the trfun7-
plant progress the Players have made IN
the affections OF the Washington theater-
goers
When George 7 was King and vheD
England's glory was great, gentlemen
fought duels. and staggered and
! drank, flrted and broke hearts pretty
much as they pleased: but withal they
were gentlemen. according TO the stand
ards Of those days Had any churI ven
tured a contrary opinion would he not
/ have felt the chill Of steel through hts
middle? Sir George Sylvester, gentle
man and duelist. likewise woman hater,
| !mmured 81 his own house its portals de-
MED TO all womankind IS an admirable
| target for the shaft OF Cupid. That such
a gentleman's attitude toward the fair
sex should piQUe so fair and so mis-
ChievOus q damsel as Lady Ursula Bar
Tington was inevitable. When she wa
Eered a dozen pairs Of silk hose with her
cousin Dorothy that she would gain en-
trance 20 Sir Georges house and, seek
ing 70 win the wager. pretended TO faint
on Sir Georges threshold IN the holy hope
that she might be invited within 10 re-
cover herself her chaErin and rage when
she found herself politely but firmly re-
ferTed to the pOrter's lodge can be I'm
agined- For the loss OF the silk stockings
was as nothing compared with the rebun
which she received as representative OF
all her sex.
That she might have further plotted 10
storm Sir Georges castle rs not % b
doubted. but for the unlucky chance that
her brother, Lord Hassenden, q soldier
Of his majesty, came riding by IN the
nick OF time 20 see his sister repulsed
from a gentleman's door Lord Hassen-
den. who besides being IN love with the
cousin. Dorothy. possesses an ungovern-
able temper flies into a passion and
calls Sir George out. Now, Sir George
among other oaths. las fOresworn duel
ing but Is unable in honor 10 deny my
Lord Hassenden. WhereupOn Mistress
Dorothy and Mistress Ursula are IN a
pretty pickle. having brought about a
duel through their thOughtless prauks
Sir George is a terror with the swords
and pistols. and Lord Hesscnden's hot
headedness may lead 10 his death It is
clearly up TO Ursula. That she arose to
the occasion IS the comedy's history
How she arrays herself IN her younger
brother Walters best suit Of red and
gold. and presents herself before SIR
George in the hope Of hOnOrably avertinC
the impending duel, furnishes a couple
Of hours Of delicious comedy. with a few
dramatic moments. One duel Is pre-
vented, but my Lady Ursula and Sir
George Sylvester engage in battle OF
wits delightful 70 behold.
That Sir George should end up by low
ing Lady Ursula Is not doubted for one
instant, for, as his friend Castletou de-
scribes her:
Her eve IS blue. her check not so red
but that YOU have good excuse for MAX
Ing # redder. her mouth not so small as
20 stint man. nor yet so large as % dis
courage him from seeking 10 cover II"
together with other physical perfections.
Miss Dean was a delightful Lady Irr-
sula- In many respects this is the best
thing she has done during her present
en5o cement. which numbers a long line
Of parts splendidly acted. Mr.. Caldara
was an ideal Sir George, and made A
stately and polished figure In his lace
ruffles and satin small clothes
Mr. Butterdeld created considerable
amusement as Mr.. Blimboe. Sir Georges
chaplain, and Miss Ruth Blake. although
intrusted with a role a trile out OF the
line. played Dorothy with just the proper
vein Of seriousness. Mr.. Calvert. as Mr..
Dent, did some excellent work. The rest
OF the cast came in for variously dlstrib-
uted honors-Mr Walton. as Lord Hos
sender: Mr.. Lewis. as Sir Robert Clif-
ford; Mr.. Frank. as Castleton. and Clara
Sidney, as Mrs. Fenton. Mr.. A. Y. Brad
ley made his first appearance with the
company. as Mills. Sir Georges servant.
The Players all suffered IN common a
spasmOdlc haziness about their lines. a
fault that VIII rapidly wear off. The play
fairly scintIllates with clever lines ana
quick action Is absolutely necessary for
It's proper Interpretation.
Another big week is inevitable for the
Columbia Players. With such play and
such q capable company, the perform
ance will prove quite as entertaining as
anything yet presented. w. q
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ington Herald scattered all over the citv
but if none Is conveniently lncateh fnr