The Washington herald., 1909-08-08
THIS WEEKS PLAYBILLS
"CHARLEY'S AUNT"
Famous Comedy 10 BE Presented by
the Columbia Players.

the Columbia Players.
Mlrth and jollity will again prevail at
the Columbia Theater this week under
the melting influence OF Brandon Thorn
as great farce comedy. "Charley's Aunt. "
which will receive its initial production
by the Columbia Players tomorrow night
with a greatly enlarged company IN at
tention to the details OF the performance
that seem 20 justify Stage Director Fred
erlck a Thomson in his promise that the
production Will be the finest OF the en-
tire season. There will be favorites from
the Richmond Stock Company placed
along side Of our own well-establlshed
idols. There VIII be the engagement OF
New York actor for the part original
ly played by Percy Lyndal, and finally
there VIII be Edith Lucket in the role
formerly played by Jessie Busley.
"Charley's Aunt" has been a standard
work throughout the country for the past
fifteen years and, in the line Of farce.
measures well up with such dramatic
successes as THE Old Homestead" and
others.
AS Lord Fancourt Babberley. Everett
Butterfield viii be seen in q role that is
commensurate with his great talents and
IS sure 10 make the hit Of his Washing
ton engagement The part Of Stephen
Spetugue. originally played by w. J.
Ferguson. VIII fall to the lot of that
jovial and rotund comedian, j. A. Bliss
who, with Robert Cain and Louise Reed
comprise the delegation from the Rich
mony company. Miss Reed who IS pretty
and talented. and was voted the most
popular girl IN the Richmond company.
Will play Kitty VerdOn. the part Origi-
nally played by Nannette Comstock: and
Mr.. Cain viii be the Charley Wykeham
Of the production. For the part Of Jack
Chesney J. Malcolm Dunn has come
down from New York. Mr Dunn will be
remembered as the actor whom David
BelascO brought 20 this country specially
for the creation OF one OF the principal
parts in che production Of Sweet Kitty
Bellaires." and has proven himself one
Of the best CT the English colony As
Ella Delahey the part originally played
by Jessie Busley, Edith Luckett VIII have
the best role In which she has appeared
IN this city In every particular the
production Will be notable one and in
dications point 10 realization OF Stage
Director ThomsOn's promise for some.
thing out Of the ordinary.
Acndemy-'"The Gambler of the West"
THE Gambler Of the West" which
will be the offering for one week, with
matinees on Tuesday. Thursday, and
Saturday at the Academy, beginning to-
morrow evening. Is what its name i'm
plies, a sensational meIodrama Of the
erstwhile wild and woolly frontier in
times when miners and cowboys lived the
rough life beyond the pale Of government,
and Indians were still making excur-
slons on the warpath.
cts story deals with the adventures
Of young girl. who goes into the coun-
try from the East 20 search for a lost
brother Of tender age. who was taken
from his mother and father by the In
dams some years ago. Both parents
have since died, and her only. relative is
half-brother who has preceded her
under promise 70 make the search. bur
instead becomes q renegade and spent
her money in gambling He connives
with Red Mike Clancy. q despiCable
character known as Faro Bill. 70 make
her marry the latter, and she IS saved
only by the daring protection which
Lucky Jack Gordon. who, although
gambler. possesses noble traits OF char
acter affords her Her lost brother IS
finally discovered IN the person Of a
precocious little Indian known as Little
Great Bear. with whom the ladies and
children Of every audience invariably
fall IN love. A. r. Woods, the prolific
producer Of successful melodrama. has
given the play the most elaborate and
realistic setting the realism allows Clev-
er actors, trained horses. bands Of cow
boys and Indians. an old stage coach.
a prairie fire that is a new invention
of electrical effects. and exhibition Of
lassO and bowie knife throwing are
among the things that make "The Gam
bier Of the West a production that
raises the limit IN melodramatic sensa-
uonallsm.
A street parade is given daily by cow
boys and Indians.