Evening star., 1909-04-18
1HE new play. "The Truants
does not afford any additsQ4a
announcement 10 Am 7ch1
managers who have le1fHa6S IL


announcement 10 Am ach1
managers who have le4tEseS Ito
rely on Europe as sour9e Of
s,,pply. II Is undoubtedly an fmprovf-
ment on Miss Mannering's previous vehi-
Gle. "A House Of Cards. and by judiHD nus
remodeling and possibly recasting maybe
deyeloped into success for the coming
season. In its present form 1t lacks con-
sistency of form and vivacity of style.
It's deficiencies might be forgiven II 1t did
not subordinate the star to sort of gen.
eral inspector and supervisor of the real
events in which others actively figure.
The pIavs from abroad shown here this
season have been mild-mannered and well
groomed but not very energetic. This
estimate. of course. leaves out of consid-
Grafton the musical farces that rely on
various expedients outside of legitimate
dramatic interest. Jack Straw and
Lady Frederick" are the two specimens
of Mr.. Somerset Maughams work sub
mitted They give the impression that his
talents are for vouminous cleverness
rather than for concentrated force. THE
Thief and "The Devil were revelations
of artistic polish; the first marvel of
structure and psychological consistency;
the second scintillating gem of satire.
But neither got far into the sympathies.
They commanded admiration. but took no
firm grip on the emotions. Love Watches
proved a gay trifle which seemed to exist
only as an accessory to Billie Burke. Like
The Blue Mouse" it must own consid-
cradle obligation for success to American
adaptation. "The Richest Girl'' was an
other specimen of almost-a-great-suc-
cess.
For stalwart fiber of plot combined with
strength of expression, a strength some
times exercised with too little discretion,
it has been necessary to turn to the home
product 1t is no longer possible for
manager to depend on stocking up for a
season by shopping tour among the
play marts of Europe. THE Servant in
the House, though its author may not
be of American parentage, found its
career in this country. THE Melting
Pot is another example of American
sponsorship. Among other creations
which. pleasant or unpleasant, carry con-
,iction are paid in Full. The Easiest
Way 1.-The Battle and 1.-The Third De-
gree" And no more delightful speci-
mems of comic ingenuity could be desired
than 1.-The Gentleman from Mississippi
er The Fortune Hunter
The Truants'' is Of the school Of Eng
lish humor. which regards any departure
from conventional life as either highly
iudicrouS or shocking.
The plot makes a commendable effort
TO get out of the rut of so-called society
plays, but 1t results only in an utter
captulaticn to melodrama In it's most
rudimentary aspect. Miss Mannering
saves the chief scene from absurdity be-
cause she cannot be other than charming
and sincere in her work. Indeed the
company works heroically to sustain dia-
losue which constantly promises sky
rockets and produces only sticks. There
is a demonstrative vigor in evidence
throughout the performance that prevents
il from being wholly tame. and the play
unquestionably has opportunities for act
ing distributed through the supporting
east more literally than to the star. All
Miss Mannering gets is an occasional
cnance 10 tell her troubles, most OF which,
so far as this play is concerned, are an
eient history. The vulgar bully who
i.sures as the hero has no corresponding
type in this countrys social life that will
enable audiences to comprehend the char
acter picture.
As is the case with most musical farces,
those who liked THE Boys and Betty"
were immensely pleased and those who
did not were bored. The music has
charm that is often disguised by the
quality of vocalization that prevails.
The composers best friend Is the orches-
ira Miss Marie Cahill has several songs
and the sly touch Of suggestion Is not
entirely obliterated, despite the protests
that this sedateIy jovial songstress has
registered against the Salome dance and
other forms Of stage naughtiness. Not
that Miss Cahill dsapproves of dancing;
there is a great deal Of it in the show.
Indeed, Miss Cahill dances a Iittle-a very
Iittle-herself But this dancing Is not
related to the 1.-the, insidious sensuous-
ness that came into vogue amid the lux
urious unrestraint of the beauty wor-
shiping ancients. A long-skirted chorus
Is mentioned as feature of the produc-
tion? The skirts are truly long. but they
are not managed in such way as 10
prevent the company from getting fun
credit for the extent and quality OF it's
hosiery equipment.
Thanks 10 the influence of Norah
Bayes. the .'Follies," whose annual event
has become an institution. take on a
somewhat less persistent frivolous tinge.
At times Miss Bayes with her studies in
folk song had the audience in a positive
y sentimental home and freside mood.
But there is fun a-plenty in this latest
edition of the "FolIies." although its ar
rival in Washington was POSTPONED until
a time when some of the topics no
longer have the freshness of current sug-
Sestion. PHILANDER JOHNSO.,.
COMEDIANS CAREER-Francis
Wilson. the popular comedian. has been
on the stage in a professional capacity
ever since he was a lad OF ten. 1t was
a very small boy In an amateur per-
formance that he received the impetus
which decided him upon his professional
career. and II was his nimble feet that
gave him the good will of the first man.
aser ne ever played for in a tiny part in a