The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-09-27
billiard RETURNS
IN BROWNE DRAMA
Excellence of Acting AtoneS
for Morbid Theme of
Play.

The excellence OF the acting OF Rob
ert HilliaTd, who opened a return en-
gaGement in a Fool There Was" al
the Columbia Theater last night before
q large audience. and the recognized
skill Of the author, Porter Emerson
Browne. as & writer Of plays. entitIe
the piece to serious consideration
In this play, the story of The YAM
pire' is told with a vividness and a
literaIness which leaves nothing 70 the
imagination Before the eyes Of the
audience. the very soul OF man IS
sucked dry until nothing remains but
that same spark OF life which keeps a
brute alive At the end, the drop OF
water which would have revfvifed the
parched mind is dashed away, and the
ruin is made complete
To the author It may seem 6. paIliatInE
touch that the vampires victim meets
his end in an effort TO destroy the
creature which has worked 5,ntoId dis
a5ter. He may believe that in sweeping
the remaining husks OF the husband
from the stage, and leaving the wife
free 70 reward the frined's love which
has remained true through all joy and
sorrOw, he has sweetened the bitter and
nauseating cup which the audience is
obliged to drain.
Theme Is Morbid.
But, one cannot help asking, wherein
is the good Of truth or virtue or low
atty, or love IN this world If it avafIeth
nothing 10 avert disaster? Certainly, no
one can leave the performance with IN
shaken faith in human nature
There nay be vampires. and they NAV
be at their deadly task, but why must
z helpless public be obliged TO give sc-
qutesCence in the triumph Of one Of
them2 No matter how strongly he may
feel. the spectator has no chance TO an
swer back He is at the mercy Of the
pIayWrlSht's morbidness-
But though one may regret the theme,
one may still enjoy the splendid work
Of Robert Hiiliard, who. BY the very
depths TO which he dracs the husband
in his sacrifice OF family. honor self
respect and deceEcy for the woman. re-
minds Us what an actor OF real power
nav accomplish.
In the first act. where he is the happv
husband and father, Mr. billiard makes
light work OF his role. In fact, he seems
almost cOlOriess IN tho exuberance Of his
happiness and Contentment. II is not
until the vampire has done her work,
and We see him maddened at the
thought of his impending ruin that the
Robert HiIliard one expects to see ap-
pears With splendid art, his acting
gathers force and meaning. eliminating
only with the fan of the curtain.
Play Well Cast.
Burton Churchill, as the friend. i'm
parted Just that healthy. vigorous tone
intended Good spirits and strength
fairly en12nated from him
To Mss Virginia Pearson Is given the
role OF the vampire which she played
with such art as to inspire deep-seated
feelings Of repulsion- Her performance,
at times, seemed harsh. however AMI
hardly in keeping with the character.
Miss stella Archer save a. synlpathet-
and intelligent Interpretation of the role
OF the wife. Miss Boots Wooster. as
the child was brighr. winsome, and nat
ural.
Others in the cast were satisfactory.
TIE performance marked the debut OF
son Of George Conn, press representa-
tive of the theater. who appeared as a
cabin bow