The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-01


The venerable patriarch gJilgless held
The tenor % his way.
-poTieus
The quaint charm attached to simple
rural life has always been potent among
the English-speaking people. In fact. it
has had its effect among all people and
the strength OF this idea which seems
10 have tender reminiscent effect upon
almost all men, whether environed by
the rushing traffic Of great cities. the far
reaching vistas OF ocean wayfaring. or
even the intellectual atmosphere of col
lego or university life, has been one Of
the chief arguments in favor of the
proposition that this is the true and proper
condition of man. a position close 10 the
soil, and in close communion with nature
II has Inspired some of the very best
portions OF our literature from Shakes
peare 20 that brilliant period of American
literature. and especially that part Of 1t
relating TO dramatic production which
found its basis i'm simple country life
The time Is not beyond the memory or
the present generation when a large ma
jority Of the successful plays were Of
this character and one of them The Old
Homestead" probably for the reason that
IL was the best has survived the vicissi-
tudes Of theatrical taste 10 such an extent
that its recurring appearance has become
10 be considered a necessary event Of
the season. Other plays, representing the
various types, run their time-sometimes
brilliantly and then disappear; but this
play seems 10 have human nature enough
In It 10 become a lasting element in our
dramatic literatuTe-nay, even more than
thar Fsg- ~ evidence -
ance and palpable interest at the Column
bia Theater last night is worth anything.
it still has a virile power Of entertaining
interest. II is said that there are many
people who never see the inside Of d
/ theater except upon the yearly appear
ance OF this old play. and II is a pity that
| the latter-day course OF American amuse-
nentS has not tended toward the produc-
ton Of a class Of plays which would
| attract this element OF our people more
| frequently TO the theater
The peTvading influence in the play is
the air OF the New England hills. and
although the scenes of the metropolis are
shown for both pathetic and humorous
purposes. everything begins at and every
thing harks back TO the village and farm
and 10 the doing and thinking Of the
simple inhabitants thereof. Perhaps the
present trllkI OF human lEONkIl. tkNNkdl-
lized in cry of back 10 the farm" heard
on every side. may augment the interest
and add TO its popularity, if such a thing
could be.
The dominant character is, of course.
Uncle Josh, a character remarkable for
its fidelity 20 type and its cameo-like dis
| tnction as regards individuality. and
this year We have the pleasure Of seeing
1t presented by its literary creator Den
man Thompson, who enjoys the distinC-
ton of being referred to, while yet liv-
ing, as a landmark showing the attain
ment of a high point in that particular
period Of American dramatic history
which some say was its best, and of
which he Is the greatest representative,
both as "a playwright and actor He who
has missed seeing the old Homestead
and Denman Thompson during the course
Of "a lifetime has left an open space IN
his education, no matter 10 what heights
he may have otherwise attained, for il
constitutes absolute evidence that play
of absorbing interest may be evolved
from human nature in its simple and
normal moods, without recourse TO ex-
travagant spectacular effects, vexing
mental problems. or appeal 10 sensuous-
ness The young should especially be
given the benefit OF the lesson, and its
reminiscent effect on the elders may not
be without benefit. All of the time-hOn-
ored accomplishments of the production,
including the singing of the old songs,
are effectively reproduced this year. anG
the cast which is given in full below,
is entirely competent.
Denman Thompson appears, Of course.
as Josh. WhitcOmb. Fred Clark as Happy
Jack, afterward Jack Hazard; Walter
Kelly as Cy Prim, Charles II. Clarke as
Seth Perkins. Leonard McGarvey as Reu-
ben Whitcomb Maggie Breyer as Aunt
Matilda, Anita Fowler as Rickety Ann,
Gus Kammerlee as Henry Hopkins, Hec-
tor Dion as Judge Patterson, Earl Red
ding as Eb Ganzey, Lloyd Kerr as Frank
Hopkins. Frank Harrington as John Pat
tersOn, and the long list Of minor roles
incident TO the play were well sustained.
The vocal music was rendered by the
cold Homestead Glee Club" consisting
of Leonard McGarvey, Sidney Glass,
Lloyd G. Kerr, Charles Ingodsby, Z. F.
Cochran, Frank II. Harrington, Gus
Kammerlee, and Fred Clare.