The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-19
THE NEW NATIONAL.


The sweet little picture of fresh and
youthful femininity known as Billie
Burke appeared at the New National
Iheater last night for her annual en-
gagement, before an audience Of most
fattering proportions. This charming
artist has in three years become a stanch
favorite among theatergoers and dis
unct addition TO our galaxy Of stars, win
ming, as did Maude Adams, by sheer
force Of personality and charm, as well
as acting ability.
Mr.. W. Somerset Vaughan. who sup
piled Mrs. Dot" has got TO be almost
as equally well known, as a playwright.
The excellent thing about his plays is
that they are never disappointing. No
one expects a great social problem or a
succession OF tragic episodes. Like Clyde
Fitch: only with a surety Of touch in
fnitely greater. Mr.. Vaughan deals more
with types and manners than with prob
lens.
Mrs. Dot" is not very convincing. but
II is wholly amusing. II is amusing be-
cause IL has touch of the female mill
tant about II. For while Mrs Dot is no
suffragette. she sets out to get what she
wants, and voices a very pregnant senti-
ment when she says that when a woman
wants thing she usually gets it," Presi-
dent Taft. seated in box. laughed rather
heartily at this, and It was just possible
he had in mind the female militant with
whom he came in recent contact.
The lady impersonated by Miss Burke
is the widow Of a manufacturer of Brit
fch a
Halstane, upon whom her affections are
centered, is poor but he is engaged to
another girl. Nellie Sellenger, whom he
does not love. but whom he intends 20
marry On principle. The mother of the
girl. Lady Sellenger, considers marriage
with a poor man impossible, and much
10 Gerald's glee is about to break off the
match, when news comes that he has
succeeded 20 a peerage and a large in
come Naturally the worldly mother de-
clares the engagement on again. and
Mrs. Dot is up against the fight Of her
life 10 prevent the marriage taking place.
She introduces into the situation her inn
pecunious, but attractive. cousin. Freddie
Perkins. and by n series Of brilliant
maneuvers contrives that the cousin shall
run off with Nellie. and thus Mrs. Dot
wins back the loving but high-principled
Gerald
The allurements Of this play are two
fold. The lines are brilliant. and the
acting Of Miss Burke is delicious. Mr..
Vaughan has dressed his rather con-
ventiOnal story in most engaging Sc
ries Of situations and bright sparkling
lines He relies more upon his magma
ton in character drawing than upon the
picturing of real types. Upon the super
fetal characteristics of humanity he
plays at will. but scarcely any Of his
characters are modelled upon reality.
They are stage puppets. and move and
speak as the string is pulled. At the
same time they serve the admirable pur-
pose Of being amusing
Mrs Dot is a clean and wholesome
comedy, with decidedly farcical leanings.
and may be classed on the two points
above enumerated as being among the
most deserving Of the seasons products.
Naturally Miss Burke has a great deal
70 do. There would be ample cause for
complaint among her admirers II she did
not Her simple naivete and prettiness
are not her only stock IN trade She
throws herself into the character OF Mrs.
Dot with all her heart and soul She is
wistful and poutine. larSe-eyed and
pleading. or mcck-scrious, with severe
expression Of countenance. but smiling
eyes. She frolics about the stage. makes
faces behind backs. ard wheedles. coaxes.
and insinuates herself into the graces
OF everybody. until one is almost con-
WINGED that she is an elhn thing. created
fer the sole purpose Of driving mankind
10 distraction. She knows. too. the art
Of wearing becoming gowns. and color
schemes that are in Keeping with her ex-
quislta, almost fragile. beauty.
Frederick Kerr, well known as an actor
Of the cynical type Of stage Enslishman.
is the leading man, and his work as
James Blenkinsop. tho confirmed bach
elor who has "A horror Of marriage, even
with pretty Mrs. Dot. was at all times a
model OF how such a role should be acted.
The same cannot be said Of Julian les
TRANCE, as Gerald. whose mode Of delivery
was fearful and wonderful. Basil Hal
lam, as Freddie Perkins, has a role that
was full Of possibilities. and he did not
neglect them. The rest OF the acting was
natural, so far as Mr.. Maugham's i'm
aginative form Of character-drawing will
allow. A particularly good sketch was
the Charles Of Lionel Hogartn, and Kate
Meek as Miss MacGresor was excellent.
Annie Esmond as Lady Sellencer was
good as the stage type Of British mother
in-law, and Ann Meredith charming as
the intriguing little mink, Nellie Sellen-
ger.
Three stage settings OF simple beauty
were admirably carried out in detail. and
the whole entertainment is one Of unusual
merit and charm.
WILLIAM OSBORN.