Evening star., 1909-03-14


AAI strated taste and undeniable
\" attainments announces new
play certain measure of
confidence is assured in advance Inc
prestige is augmented when so compe-
tent an actress as Bertha hahch
appears i'm the cast. But manu-
scripts are treacherous things those
which come from most promising sources
and invite most interest in the reading
often prove unreliable when submitted to
the test of the footlights. The IN
broken Road may have had especial in
terest for the play reader because OF the
success of THE Easiest Way 1t is
much i'm the same spirit. portrayal Oh
life in it's hardness rather than an ideal
ization of people and events. The seamy-
side drama has such an impetus that 1t is
not surprising to find managers of NTH
erto conservative methods interested not
only In its philanthropic and reformatory
possibilities but In its pecuniary prom
ise But, like most other things, the
seamy side must be understood to be con-
vincingly depicted. And it may be con-
sidered one of the most difficult of all
studies The school is that of bitter eX-
perience.
A good seamy-side play is likelier to
come from a hungry man on park
bench than from college professor
study.
Miss kalich is not literally supplied
with opportunities for her undoubted
gifts I'm The Unbroken Road Her
training has been in the enactment of
roles which reflect the moods of high
strung and almost morbid natures. The
heroine of this play Is but common
place figure in the life of the present day
whose pathos is destroyed by the kindli-
ness Of the author in providing happy
ending. AS a picture of the less digni-
fed methods of American politics the
performance might have commanded clos
er interest had the character drawings
been more numerous and more positively
defined. Mr.. Eugene Ormonde gives
mastery presentation of his role; pre-
sentation that is almost alone in the pos
session of compelling vitality. Mr.. Trues-
delrs thoroughly efficient work is applied
TO character which is necessarily con-
ventional.
"A great uncertainty has been effaced by
the appearance of President Taft at one
of the theaters. The story that he never
attended plays caused some apprehen
sion among managers. A reputation of
the drama by the chief executive would
not be good thing for the theater.
The President will probably never know
the CONSERVATION he caused among the
members of tine company producing THE
Rejuyenation of Aunt Mary. Nervous?
They were positively tempramental. But
they got through the ordeal nicely. Miss
Robson cannot be credited with improve
ment in her performance of Aunt Mary.
The inclination TO measure tine success
of her performance by the number OF
laughs she can make It yield has induced
her to adopt broader comedy methods
than those she first employed. The deli
cate character study which eXekcised
such subtle charm is being gradually re-
placed by a figure somewhat resembling
'Charley's Aunt The part is singulariy
rich in humorous speeches, and there is
no need for Miss Robson to emphasize
her points or introduce prolonged pauses
as signals to the audience that more re-
sponse Is expected. This sounds like un-
sympathetic comment. but it isn't; il is
q sincere declaration inspired by the wish
to see one of the most delicate comedy
creations that the stage has to offer pre-
served in all its exquisite quaintness.
Miss Mary Garden is quoted to the
effects that she favors the ballot for
women. This is perhaps a misprint the
word being ballet
That Washington is one of the best
show-towns' on the map. an opinion fire.
Quently expressed by managers. was
proved by the Merry Widow. Even the
presence of Inauguration crowds does
not prevent the wonderfully successful
Two weeks engagement from being a
record for city whose population is
ths result OF discriminating selection,
rather than OF phenomenal growth
PHILANDER JOHNSON.