The Washington herald., 1909-06-29
-6E COLUMBIA.
ID - Bishop,. CarriaEe.

In the Bishops Carriage" the drama
tization by Claiming Pollock OF The story
OF the same title is the attraction which
The Columbia Players are presenting this
week, and II the large audience present
last night may De accepted as a fore
shadow of the weeks attendance. the
generally accepted rule that the appear
ance OF real midsummer weather usually
puts the Quietus on the midseason the
atrical ventures. VIII certainly ind fits
exception in this case. az least.
The story Is dramatized in Mr.. .PoTock's
well-known style. with the usual leaning
toward meIodrama. but reaching after
IS considered about the highest point in
that talented gentleman's work. as an
adapter, at any rate, involving the story
OF a young woman's regeneration through
the love OF a man. a young woman who
has become a professional and unscrupu-
lous thief. with the world-old excuse OF
environment and association. yet stjll
possessing the germs OF some OF the
noblest elements OF truth, which only
need the love and care Of a good man
or woman 10 awaken them 10 growth
such person she found in a young law
yer, man OF fine Intellect and liberal
principles yet she thinks that the old
feeling for her pal and protector a pro
ieSslonal cracksman. is still dominant IN
III the crucial moment OF the plav. when
she discovers that the new and honest Nfe
which she has been leading has in reality
led her into new channel. and an in
tense feeling OF revulsion comes for he
man. for she had expected 20 wait until
the expiration Of his prison term. The
relationship Of Nance Olden and Tom
Dorgan is really the strongest element
or the play, although upon It's presenta-
ton the mind instantly reverts to Charles
Dickens and Bill and Nancy Sykes. The
thread Of the story leads with exceeding
interest. and the episodes are remarkably
acute. embracing the ludicrous arrival
Of the Nipper In the bishops carriage. the
midnight arrest OF Tom Dorgan the
climax OF the love interest. and the scenes
at the close. OF the lesson clearly in
tended TO be drawn from the premises
however. there is a feeling that the es-
taoiishment or the truth thereof IS not
absolute. Like the conclusions OF the
great students and philosophers who have
dealt with the questions Of crime. hered-
ity, environment. and the other aces
sOries, II is based on experiment. and
owing 10 mixed and unknown ingredients
experiments do not always coincide in re-
suits
Miss Julia Dean Is again IN the fore
ground with her impersonatlon Of Nance
Olden. The character is the central Point
Of the play. around which everything else
must revolve. which she IS quick 10 per
ceive and capable 10 carry out. She IS
especially clever in the comedy scene IN
the FIRST act, and strong in the emotional
periods later without laying undue stress.
In fact, her whole performance is inter
esting and gratifying 20 those who have
expressed confidence in her versatility.
Dir. Orme Caldara gives another fne de-
lineation as William Lawrence. the Young
lawyer. using the same quiet. yet clear.
methods he has heretofore, with the same
distinctly high results.
The performance is also marked this
week by two good character enactments.
Mr.. Alexander Calvert appearing as Tom
DOrgan. the cracksman. and giving the
most fOrcible expression OF his power
since the beginning Of the engagement.
and Mr.. Everett Butterfeld scores as. Ed
ward Ramsey. the drink-sOddea society
man. while Alexander Frank appears as
the bishop, Thomas Chatterton as Ober-
muller. Ruth Blake as Mag Monahan.
Ethel Wright as Nellie Ramsey. Clara
Sidney as Mrs. Ramsey, and others
equally capable in the smaller roles.