New-York tribune., 1911-12-05


And there is Miss Sara Allgood, who can
act, and act to admiration, buXom lass
Of the West Coast, Feemy Evans in
"BlancO Posnet' the miserly ancient Woin-
an of THE Building Fund" or the gray
majesty and melody Of Kathleen Nj Houh-
han" The Irish Players may not make
their fortunes in New York, but they nave
earned the respect Of those who hnd III
the contemplation Of stage plays something
more than pastime. Next Thursday evening
the programme will change 10 THE Play
boy Of the Western World" by j. NJ Synge,
and "The Rising of the Moon by Lady
Gregory.
Miss Elsie Ferguson has charm. rare
Charm, and more than charm. Size has per-
ception Of more than common kind ana a
rich fine talent for expression.
Happily, she has been less fortunate than
most young stars; she has not been spoiled
by succession OF successes. She has had
10 contest the way since first she came TO
prominence I'm such Little Queen Il
has been good for her that plays suitable
10 her exploitation could not suddenly be
found Now. after a long absence dt was
two years ago that she first came forward
here). she returns with a vehicle in which
all the town will ride and rejoice That is,
the town will rejoice in her presence, even
if the play does not send it into ecstacies.
For Elsie Ferguson, on her return TO New
York, proves 10 be one Of the most ad-
mirable Of high comedy actresses. as well
as one Of the most captivating ever seen
here. She is justifying the prophecies
which We're made for her in these columns
two seasons ago. She is a delight. She Is
delightful to watch. delightful to hear she
is lovely. both in person and in art.
Her play. 10y Charles Nirdlinger, IS called
The First Lady I'm the Land II is, OF
course. about Dolly Madison. and Miss
Ferguson is Dolly. We meet her first as
Dolly Todd. the young quaker widow, who
keeps a select boarding house in Phila-
delphia Just as Jefferson is being elected
President. Aaron Burr and James Madison
contend for her hand. Burr and Hamilton
fight for her. The whole living world adores
her. and she leads il a pretty dance. All
this as per Master Playwright, who, by
the license of his trade makes history
b,ographv and the sacred books Of etiquette
Go what he will.
But. for once in a Way-who cares? il
he diplomats are low comedy creatures; II
James Madison is something like wooden
though moving image; II there is Spanish
Ambassador who never could have seen
Spain or anything Spanish, not even
sranish onion, and if But who shall be
distressed? For Elsie Ferguson as Dolly
Madison is here, and she is the most be-
vitchlng creature that ever descended from
the heaven of dreams TO cheer the heart Of
man An New York will follow in her
train
The play began late. prodigiously late.
And the exigencies OF the more or less
rapid transit Of this dear isle, 10 say moth
ing Of catching the press-a difficulty which
seems to increase with every new play that
comes IN from the road-made IL impos-
s.ble for the retiewer 20 see the last act.
Consequently he will neither describe nor
criucisc IT, But the lure Of Dolly Elsie
FCreuson Madison will draw him back
aean to see not only what the last act is,
Aut TO see the other three over again. For
she, the matchless, lovab!e, plaintive,
rougish. happy, graceful. dainty and ca
uricious she. is i'm them all. pervades them.
Gives them life and fragrance. \ rare and
happy mixture Of the talent-and very high
talent it is-of the artist and OF the spell os
the woman.
The play has It's good points. and seems
to be liked. After Miss Ferguson, Mr..
Perry is the only member Of the cast OF
whom special mention need be made. And
Of Miss Fcrsuson-well, if she is not the
first lady OF the land, she is likely 10 be-
come its First Coincidence. a. w
CAST OF THE WITNESS FOR THE DE
FENCE" AT THE EMPIRE THEATRE