The Washington times., 1909-05-02
Standard Play of Former
Generation Striking Ex-
ample of Improvement.
LATER PORTRAYAL
is MORE REFINED
Despite Cold Fact Elderly Play
goers Uphold Prestige of
Elder Sothern.
By ALLEN D. ALBERT, j.

had only TO see ''Dundre8ry." Hece
was a play that he'd endured through
twenty-three years OF steady presenta-
tion up to the year 1881. 1t did not
seem 10 violate any prevailing sense OF
the dramatic unities. But today, for It's
own sake, It could not endure twenty
three weeks.
Edwin A. Sothern was one Of tie
most accomplished actors Of his day.
He was born a comedian and the best
OF his craft. He It was who wrote Our
American Cousin and created the
character of Dundreary. AS far as the
two achievements can be separated, the
second was vastly greater than the
flrst There is something wonderfully
unctuous in his supreme ignorance of
his own stupidity and his contempt for
all the rest OF men. sam was a silly
ass. but you'd like him." is a thor
oughly characteristic speech. And all
the extravagances Of the impersonation
are contributory TO the result-the lit
tie skip as he walks. the IaclSadaisicaI
stroking his side whiskers (now known
the world over as "Dundrearies'D. the
combination Of lisp and stutter.
There were many in the Washington
audiences who rememb bered the perform
ance of the father as they watched that
OF the son. Their judgment was gener-
ally in favor Of the older impersona-
tion. How could IL naturally have been
anything else2 Curiously. the criticism
was that Edwin A. Sothern was more
refined than Edward H Sothern, that
the former conveyed more the air Of
patrician breeding than the latter
Details More Polished.
r-o-- tba-e v,as not a cba,ee from,
the fathers inpersonation In the en-
sctment of the son. save in the direction
of refinement. The son knew his sire's
Interpretation OF the role so well that
he never had TO learn the text As
youth Edward II. Sothern had acted
small parts IN his fathers production
OF this play. The childs first memory
of the great comedian goes back to this
costume and this manner. The nurse
used TO take her charge into the theater.
that the great actor might kiss his little
son goodnight, and the earliest picture
the little boy mind retained includes
those whiskers and the velvet coat.
Every reason supports the belief that
the later impersonation was the better.
But reason cannot battle with memory
Each of these elderly lookers-on focused
their view on the Dundreary they knew,
recalling It's merits with the greatest
pleasure. and overlooking It's demerits
with beautiful unCOnsciousness.
You could have played 'Dundreary'
all week aad turned 'em away" said
one OF Mr.. Sothern's friends TO him IN
the course OF the week. II believe it,
was the answer. But il would have
been an artistic mistake
In proof Of which this actor and Miss
Mariowe spent every afternoon save the
matinee periods in rehearsing a reper-
toire OF plays to be produced jointly in
Phl!Soeiphia, Boston, and New York
until well into the month OF July.
Much Ado About Nothing" Hamlet"
Twelfth Night" and Tanning Of the
Shre~' will be acteu with the Joint
stars In the appropriate roles. For
the rehearsing there were brought
from New York dozen extra actors,
and many Of the company which Wash
lngton saw were recast. The week
was week Of such arduous labor as TO
lnolcate that Mr.. Sothern, like Mr..
Mansfield. when his leadership of our
stage was unquestioned. takes RESPONSE
oilby earnestly Perhaps that is the
eolef reason why they have had re-
sponsibility 70 take.
Hamlet a Delight.
What a delight their last nights per-
formsnce of Hamlet was. Think OF
an engagement ending with every seat
sold for such play hours before the
curtain rose! The two Of them deserve
It all; and their patrons were well re-
warded in the most beautiful reading Of
our English tongue to be heard any
where IN the world
he whirlpool may succeed in New
YORK. Out II is repugnant 10 Washing
ton Like The Easiest Way" It is an
attempt at photography of evil / 4Ire
Paid In Full" IL NAV ffnd pafronare
in Gotham. But. unlike either OF those
two closely knit, finished, wen con-
s.ractea pays, The Whirlpool" IS am
ateurish- Its substance IS clouded. Its
dialogue Is scattered. That II did NOT
thrive against Mr.. Sothern and ss'The
Goioen butterfly Is not amazing. But
mere viii De some ground for wonder
" II thriNes against any other reason
able opposition anywhere. even in New
Miss Van Studdiford and her or.~a
IND continued favor. AS an enterfain-
ment, the performance merits n Mr.
De koven is always tuneful. his orches-
tIalon is rich, II familiar, and he has
In this score struck a note really bes1,-
uIul In his choruses
robin Hood" Holds Own.
But IT ia to be doubted n the .sr,,,t-
terfiy." with all Mr. BradIey's skin in
producing it. viii give the pleasure or
net the returns which his earlier Ron
In Hood viii yield next week. Wash
inSton has tested the Aborn compan,y
The judgment is altogether favorable
Satisfaction has been attes.ed In fLe
only way altogether convincing-by
continued patronage at the box offce
The opening bill Is specially wei chosen
with Mr.. rockingham, Miss Berfran1
and Miss D'Orsell in the cast ADj
how we shah all enjoy that wonderful
quintet that introduces "AI is fair ia
love and war" and the echo of s'Brovcr
October Ale" through the woods. and
the beautiful Rrpeggios from the orch
estra that accompany tho mo Earl are
you IN sOothF Mr.. De KOYen's rank
smong modern composers Will depend
more than some OF US may think on
this brilliant victory over so many years
OF difficulty.
Miss Dean opens a stock engagement
az the Columbia She Is an accomplish
ed actress and Washington Is sure To
Ike her the more as the city gets 70
know her the more. The planning Cor
this engagement has been, apparently,
better than usual. The plays are Sc
lected by mind that knows the public
taste instinctively and the players have
proven their ability. We shall miss
onr gless N tho com ahlnallnn doc NOT