Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-04
Columbia.

'The Man Of the Hour a modern play
by George Broadhurst, which made its
temperance at the Columbia Theater
last night, is an object lesson Of the pos
sibilities in a self-governed city. Al
though the baser part Of municipal poll
tics seems to predominant throughout,
the heart interest in the play is suf-
f1cient to hold those who are indifferent
to politics, while the comedy is such as
might amuse anybody. The story arises
from the taunt of young woman that
her rich and idle lover does not make
the most OF his opportunities. When he
undertakes to do so. after the city may
orally has virtually been forced upon
him by rich man and a scheming poll
tican to further their own selfish ends.
he finds himself with almost every con-
ceivable circumstance to Illustrate his
purpose. He is told that his dead
father. who has been almost an idol to
him and his mother, was dishonest
CRATER. He learns that the rich and
respected uncle OF his sweetheart is an
arrant knave. He is suspected of wrong
doing by that very sweetheart because of
efforts he has made to save her fortune
which has been sunk in her uncle's
scheme that he is determined to expose.
And even his own Qlother is made to
almost shake his purpose when she learns
that her late husbands honor IS likely
to suffer if her son carries out his IN.
tention of defeating an outrageous fraud
upon the city of which he is chief execu-
tive.
The villainy is amply provided by the
scheme of the uncle and the resourceful
suggestions OF the arch politician ana
boss. one Richard Horrigan The comedy
comes from James Phelan. a breezy rival
of Corrigan. who has vowed some day to
sit on him hard and minor love af-
fair between the brother of the heroine.
Perry Carter Wainwright. and Cynthia
Garrison. Incipient tragedy that fails to
materialze falls close to the role OF
Henry Thompson. alias Henry Corrigan,
the brother Of Cynthia. Thus all the ele-
ments essential to a good play are present
in 1.-THE Man Of the Hour and they are
well handled by the author. The s1tua-
tons are never improbable and the lines
are often very bright.
The leading male characters last night
were good. John S. Robertson. as the
young mayor. was dignified, plausible and
effective. ]. A. Marcus. as Horrigan. the
city boss" gave a splendid piece OF
character acting. while John G. Sparks.
as Pf,elan. his rival. met all the require
ments of his part in a manner both nat
ural and comical. Barnard Cavanaugh,
in the scene where he discloses his own
identity and denounces the rich uncle,
was intensely dramatic and made the
most of his only opportunity. Alma Pow
ell, as Dallas Wainwright, the sweet
heart OF the young mayor. looks we'll and
dresses we'll, but fails to reach that
height of excellence which the part de-
mands Cynthia. as portrayed by Vir-
ginia Irwin, is a simple role without great
opportunities. but fairy conceived. Julia
Hanchett as Mrs Bennett. the mayors
mother. gave her best to the part
OF the othrs, perhaps Homer Barton,
as Scott r. Gibbs, the young mayors
rival for his sweetheart. best deserves
mention. Mark T. Wilson, as Cynthia's
youthful lover. was acceptable and would
be more so if he would not lose himself
at times.