The Washington herald., 1909-02-09
THE NATIONAL.
Ethel Barrymore.


The great popularity IN this city Of
Ethel Barrymore was again attested al
the New National Theater last night
when the playhouse was filed with an
audience wing in brilliancy with any
OF the season.
The play is a comedy by " Somerset
Vaughan, Lady Frederick" depicting
some OF the humor which might accrue
to the life OF the British upper class,
with. OF course. some Irish thrown in.
The story runs thus: At Monte Carlo
Is discovered Lady Frederick Berrolles,
a m!ddle-aged. though appearing much
younger, titled adventures OF Irish ex-
traction, who is head-over-heels IN debt
in imminent danger OF the bankruptcy
court. and is supposed 10 have desl lgns
on Lord Mereston a callow and wealthy
n0bleman. about twenty years younger
than herself The boys mother Is siren
uously opposed 10 the match. and her
brother. Mr. Parsdine Fouldes. who, BY
the way. had been involved in quite an
affair with Lady Frederick, appearing
upon the scene. they put their heads to
gether 10 frustrste that lsdy's marital
designs.
The man PLAYS the game openly. and
the woman intends 10 use every trick
known TO feminine art. and resolves that
the best way 10 break her sons infatus-
ton is to produce proof Of some seeming
immoral action on the part OF LADY Fred
erick. She does so by bringing forth =
letter in which the object OF her boys
love acknowledges herself 70 be guilty OF
improper conduct. and the woman retail
stes By destroying letters which would
prove TIE hypocrisy OF the lsdy's late
supposedly sainted husband, and stung
by the insulting treatment. end conscious
OF her own innocence. for tils supposed
discriminating letter had been IN reality
written for the purpose OF shielding her
sistsr-in-law. she resolves 10 settle the
matter honOrably. even though she might
suffer the humiliation OF the bankruptcy
court. and so. az the appointed interview
the following morning she proceeds 20
disiIlusionIza the infatuated youth BY ap-
pearing IN disorderIy dishabiile, making
Up she face IN his presence, ard otherwise
accentuatlng the disparity IN their ages,
fatty refuses his offer OF mar
riage. and finally marries her late
antagonist. M Paradine Fouldes. who
really had loved her ali these years. a.
though he. like his nephew. did not care
10 admit il until the last moment
In the case OF AIias Barrymore the sue
cess OF the play comes not so much from
what she does but from the manner IN
which she does Il She undoubtedly has
the power Of compelling attention to her
every act and every word while she is
on the stage. and she also has the power
OF invoking humor or pathos BY certain
indefnable characteristics. Il must be
her personality, coupled with the art %
the actress At any rate. one who Wit
nesses her work and Is not interested IN
her. and who does not get q perfectly
clear idea OF what she is attempting 20
depict, must be either extremely dun or
blase. Whatever may be the divergent
opinions as 10 her capsbility and stand
ing IN the theatrical list. Il IS evident that
in such a light and gIi1tering comedy as
the present one she is eminently suited
70 shine
The supporting company is well Up to
the mark OF capable assistance. including
Bruce McRae. as Mr. Paradine Fouldes;
Miss Jessie MiIlward. ss Lady Mereston
Charles Hammond. as Sir Gerald O'Mars
Orlando DAILY, as Capt. MontgomeTie: Ar
thur Elliott. as Admiral Carlisle. Vlra
Stowe. as Rose-ail well known and in
teresting actors-while the production. in
point Of setting and costuming, IS en-
tirely proper.