The Washington herald., 1909-02-14
The nela.co-wIlIlnm Farer.ham.

William Faversham VIII be the attrac-
ton al the Belasco Theater during the
present week He VIII present Charles
Frederic Nirdlinger's "The World and
His Wife. an adaptation OF Jose Eche-
garay's Spanish masterpiece. Ell Gran
Galecto." Mr.. Faversham presented this
play for tie hrst time az the Belasco
last September. when IT achieved q very
great success Since then AIr. Fsver-
sham presented this Play al Cincinnati
Chicago. and at Days Theater- New
York The reviewers OF each OF these
cities were as enthusiastic in their an
proyal as those Of Washington In tax
ing his company 70 Days Theater. New
York, AIr- Faversham challenged com
parison with the organization long main
tained al that classic playhouse by
Augustin DAILY. William Winter. Of the
Tribune. and the dean OF the New York
criJlci. was one Of the first 10 ackpewi-
edge Mr.. Faversham's high aim and
purpose. and 10 chronicle his success
When Mr. Favershsm appeared in Wash
ingtOn in September in this plav FOR the
first time. he came as his own manager
IN fun charge before and behind the foot
lights II is generally supposed that the
actOr-manager subOrdinates all the roles
in play 10 his own: bat IN this Darticu-
lar, Mr. FavershaIn proved the exception
10 the rule II "The World and His
Wife" there are at least six characters
OF equal Importance. and when the pIay
was seen here Il was very evidently the
purpose Of Mr.. Fsversham TO provide a
= -4~-f~ 40 -
exploitation Of himself as a star. II a
few actors viii initiate MS self-repression
and his laUdaDle purpose 10 produce fine
plays in a fine way. he win have Joined
the ranks Of the actOr-managers with ad-
mirable results Another curious feature
Of Mr. Nirdlinger's adaptation is this:
The play vas made for Mr.. Faversham
at his order, and with explicit instruc-
tons 20 the dramatist that no role In the
piece should be built up at the expense
Of the other. and that while "The World
and His Wife was to be used by a
star" the leading role should not be
given any undue advantage over the 9th
eTs. This wise and admirable scheme
brought forth a happy result. and one
speedily recognized in Washington as
well as in the ether cities where Mr.
Faversham has appeared. His long run
at Days TIleater, New York, came 20 a
close last night and Mr. Faversham
comes direct to Washington. Why the
works Of the Spanish playwright were so
long in reaching our stage has been
matter Of comment George Bernard
Shaw in 1885, when the critic Of the sat
urday Review. OF London. drew attention
to Echegaray. saying: ! suspect that
the Spaniards viii compel US to admit
that they have produced genius of a
stamp that crosses frontiers. and that We
shall yet see some OF his work on our
stage Two years later. William Arriier
the famous London critic, published IN
his book. ''The Theatrical World of 1897 .
Study Of Echegaray Speaking OF
"El Gran GaIeoto," which Mr.. Nirdlinger
has adapted Under the title Of The
World and His Wife. Mr.. Archer wrote:
No narrative can convey any idea Of
the extraordinary vigor Of the scenes.
Echegaray has q rare genius for wringing
every drop Of effort out Of a situation In
he thoroughness with which he works
out the various aspects and potentialities
OF a given conjecture. he has scarcely q
rival Eight years making his adapts-
ton for Mr., Faversham, Charles Frederic
Nirdlinger said Of "El Gran Galeoto" IN
his Masks and Mummers." that It was
"a drama SO quick, so vital. so moving
In its own palpitsting fiber that Il fairly
acts Itself Mr. Faversham can con-
slider himself fortunate that our actors
and managers did not hit on this play
till he finally learned Of It through q re-
view Of the German version when pre-
sented In New York When Mr. Faver-
sham IS seen IL The World and His
Wife" at the Belasco this week. he win
be supported BY the same company, with