The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-17
LAST NIGHT AT
THE THEATERS
THE COLUMBIA.
Frederick A. Thomson as "a Poo
Relation"

A
selves into a supporting company last
night. when Frederick A. Thomson made
his appearance in the title role OF A
Poor Relation. Mr.. Thomson has had
no chance to make himself personally
known TO the Columbia patrons up 70 the
present, although his energy and artistic
ability behind the scenes have made
themselves felt and have added material
ly 20 the pleasure Of every audience that
has attended during the Columbia Play
ers' season. Mr.. Thomson has personally
produced every one Of the plays at
the Columbia Theater this summer.
and his being brought forth by Manager
Berger as a star last night was a fitting
climax 70 what he has hitherto accom-
plished with the Players.
Mr.. ThOmson's response 10 the impor-
I tunities Of Manager Berger. who was
very keen 10 have the Players do Sol
Smith RusseITs splendid old play. al
though reluctant IS a pretty good evil
dence Of his personal knowledge Of what
the Columbia clientele wants. lie started
in upon the role with one great advan-
tage-G physical fitness for the part which
could only have been approached by Rus
sell himself That he is thin and under
weight we attribute 10 the extraordinary
I labors Of the present season. That he
should be mentally capable this late IN
/ the season. after expending so much good
gray matter or the Columbia Players, IS
a cause Tor wonderment But IN the
matter Of lines, he was letter perfect-or
AT least was alert enough 70 cover up any
/ possible slips from the audience.
So much for appearance and memory
AS for his acting. he has slipped on the
character Of Noah Vale as easily as he
/ has Sol Smith Russeu's CID clothes, espe-
cially taken out Of Mr.. Berger's treasure
chest for the occasion. Noah Vale is not
/ an easy part 90 play There are no mo-
ments Of noisy heroics or stormy emo
tons. Uncle Noah IS a quiet gentle In
dividUal, used 20 taking things just as
they are handed him. accustomed 10 hard
( knocks IN life's battle-an optimist brim-
ming fun Of quaint philosophy and hon
est humOr. Thomson starts him quietly,
introducing his little fancies. his humble
gratitude. his Apologize attitude toward
f gastronomic pleasures 50 constantly up
/ permost in his thoughts Poor fellow
he IS half starved all the time He is
vague IN his intentions. always cheerful.
tender with children child himself
among them. IN fact He sings 20 them
/ dear old nursery rhymes. croons 10 them
/ IN half-stifed lullabies. and hovers about
/ Ike some gaunt wistful guardian angel
( IN a rusty coat and frayed trousers
. Gradually the actor draws the character
with fine. clear lines. and. becoming more
and more bold imparts 10 his art sud
den compelling force. so that last night
/ audience became as wax in his hands.
and he nodded and convinced them al
will
Frederick A. Thomson has mastered the
part Of Noah Vale. His own shyness
almost dimdcnce. about assuming the
, role has given him Just the requisite
touch OF humility and the negative quail
ity which makes the character so human
so appealing. No doubt ne himself Will
not be satisfied with himself as Noah
these sensitive. repressed actors Of The
newer school seldom create up 10 thei,
own ideals. No angles. however. were ev.
ident 20 last nights spectators. who werS
moved 10 tears and who sat bathed in az
atmosphere Of hndredship and Courade.
ship while simple old Noah was playing
upon their heartstrings.
a Poor Relation is q goOd old play
belonging 20 the days when the theater-
/ goers were strong on lights and shad.
ows and We're not ashamed OF mOistur'
in the eye. nor slow 20 hiss villainv and
applaud virtue triumphant There Is !
"a int odor as Of old lavender about n,
play. with its gererations-old plot IL.
obvious dialogue and tine-honored sit
uations. Withal. Il is intensely inter
esting, not merely as revival but as ar
illustration Of the fact that people To-
day have not entirely outgrown thei,
love Of childish and improbable things
Tor a Poor Relation is just a fairy
story. after all.
The play greatly pleased the audience
last night. which was OF the usual gen
| eyous proportions II was so taking. II
fact, that al the end Of the second &C
Mr.. Thomson was obliged 10 acknowledge
in q little speech the thanks Of himself
and the Players.
The PLAYERS were all well cast. Mex
20 the star. chief interest centered il
little Helen Brown as Patches. y,
child actress within present memory 4
so thoroughly natural and so attraCtiv,
10 watch as Helen. Her acting is 81
/ spontaneous. her expressions so perfect
that she strikes one as being far cleverc
than many an actress OF mature years
Miss Edith Luckett also had a splendid
role in SCallops. I'm which she was de
=. lightful Miss Louise Reed in the sym
pathetic role Of Dolly Faye struck a re
sFonsive chord. and Miss Ruth y. Blake
whose Alice Warmer was only q bit. new
ertheless did some strong acting durin.
her brief appearance. Miss Violette Kim
ball, a newcomer 20 the cast and a Wash
ington girl, played the small part OF Mrs
Faye.
OF the men. James ". Shaw as O'Haley
Everett Butterdeld as Charlie Smith
Robert Cain as Jasper Sterrett ant
James A Bliss as Frederick Faye al
presented excellent studies OF varyins
phases OF character. while little Tommy
! Brown as Rip contributed his mite TO-
ward the general capahleness.
Credit IS certainly due Manager FREQ
G. Berger. who had entire charge Of tn,
production-it were too much 70 expec
Mr.. Thomson 10 study and act the Ions
part OF Noah Vale and attend 70 the de-
tails Of the production beside. Mr.. Berger
probably knows as much about a Poo
Relation" as any man living. and III.
assistance has proved invaluable.
There remain no means by which tn,
Columbia Players could possibly improv,
the excellent impression they have mad,
Iraehf- ofOp effr1r1a- aYITap~as