The Washington herald., 1909-07-13
LAST NIGHT AT
THE THEATERS
THE COLUMBIA.
''when We Were Twenty-one."

The high water mark Of artistic success
was reached by the Columbia Players last
night. when H V. Esmonds idyIrc
comedy drama, When We Were Twenty
one was presented. The players jump
! from farce comedy 20 straight and legiti-
mate drama at WILL apparently. and ac-
eomplish the feat successfully and with
out ripple OF disturbance.
When We Were Twenty-one'' Is a play
that has been in former years remarkably
successful. and when that trio OF clever
stars. Nat Goodwin, Henry Woodruff,
and Maxine Elliott, PLAYED in It together
there were those who considered Il the
/ biggest thing that any OF these three
/ had achieved The Columbia Players.
under the judicious guidance OF Mr.. Fred
erick Thompson. 10 whom no task is
seemingly insurmOuntable. attempted a
/ big thing when they undertook this play
! The delicacy OF the comedy and the pro-
/ found depth Of fits pathos furnish ex-
treInes which II requires some excellent
acting and superior intelligence 10 bridge
The story OF the play IS deeply senti-
mental and shows the difficulty encoun-
| tered by maturity when Il enSeavors 70
cope with the inpulsiveness and the way
Wardness OF youth. Many OF the men
who sat in the audience at the Columbia
| Theater last night may havs had Just
such wayward boys as The Imp" and
may have struggled with the problem OF
touching that boys heart in just the
right way 10 win him back The Imp"
Is typical He represents the confidence
and the conceit Of the ignorant. spoiled
youth. Blindness on the part q guardians
to the temptations that beset young men,
or the snug conclusions that so many
reach that their own are immune from
the lure OF the indiscrstion and vice. are
shown In vivid coloring. The vitality
with which the characters Of this play
are injected Is one OF the things that has
made II live beyond the allotted time OF
such plays. and Il IL safe 70 say that OF
THAT large audience last night. there was
not one who DID not feel the Tightening
OF the throat or the moisture in the eve
which tells OF a home thrust or a situa-
ton brought very near the heart The
intensity and the simplicity OF the Interest
which IS sustained throughout the play
are marked.
II can be said OF the Columbia Players
that they rose 10 their opportunities
beautifully. The role OF Phyllis Ericsson
would not ordinarily be called z great
part, but Mss Dean played Il with a
genuineness and Whole-heartedues that
was most refreshing Her scenes OF
gentle raillery with Dick CareWe n
which the exuberance OF her spirits are
beyond her control was deuciously acted.
Mr. Caldara exhibited two sides 10 his
ahility-the one in his scenes with
Phyllis. in which he played opposite her
with rare appreciation of the 6eliczcy
and subtleness Of the situations. and
the other in his attitude toward hts boy.
I ifFlr5 yu-forr7 -.
who yet tore his heartstrings so soreiy
The relationship between Dick and
|, The Imp" is superb conception. for
which Mr. Esmond. primarily responsible.
IS indebted 20 a great degree for having
had Il so beautifully interpreted.
Mr. Butterfield was The Imp" and hts
earnest bOyishness was Just what one
would have expected from such an in
telligent and versatile actor. The
Imp" Is Just a kid who wants 70 seem
grown up. He resents what ne con
sideTs the interference OF his elders, al
unconscious OF the heartache he il caus-
ing and the noble efforts being made
70 save him. The Imp" Is won over
az the end. however. so that love and
fostering care are not given IN vain. The
Outburst OF manly affection. and the
awakening IN the last act, were spIendidly
done by both Mr.. Burterheid and Mr..
Caldara- The episode OF the club. %
though harsh and in striking contrast
20 the sweet atmosphere OF the rest of
the play. was well played. a dozen or
more extra persons being employed 70
give the proper scenic effect
Miss Blake was a magnificent Fire
fly" Il Is a part which. though short
contains lines that are telling-every one
OF them. She made a stunning appear
ance and caused the audience 10 sit up
when she made her sensational appear
ance.
, The dearly beloved Trinity co-g1ar
dians OF The Imp" were wei played BY
, Messrs. Wells Frank. and Eyre Alex
/ ander Calvert was a sufficiently OdiouS
Hirsch. and Mrs. Sydney. as Mrs. Eric
, son rounded out the principals OF s
cast that contained long list OF names
5 Frederick Cecil Lewis. as Wallis Brun
{ dell. and James ". Shaw. as Hughie Her
5 mont. rendered good account OF them
selves IN minor parts
D Congratulations are due the manage
ment for the splendid stage setting O
5 the third act. which was greeted viii
E quite a round OF applause. In fact. III
4 / enthusiasm OF the audience was notice
Z able throughout the play, and. IN spite o
/ the very warm weather. there is prac
E ticauv no doubt that When We Weru
{ Twenty-one" viii prove the banner OF
fering OF the Columbia Players.