The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-03-07
THE COLUMBIA.
Elsie Ferguson I'm ~Douy Madison"


An event Of peculiar interest to Wash
ingtonians was the presentation at the
Columbia Theater last evening of Charles
Nirdlinger's comedy of the early days OF
this republic, Dolly Madison" with Miss
Elsie Ferguson in the title role With
three of ITS four acts laid in this city
two being set in the Red Room of the
White House, then barely ready for oc-
cupancy, and the third in the Madison
residence now the home Of the Cosmos
Ciub-the mere locale of the play is sufh-
cient TO attract the attention of wash
fngtonians seldom to be seen in a play
house
The charm of Mr.. Nirdlinger's creation,
however, need not rest in its local en-
vironment He has presented with a
high degree of historical accuracy and
brilliant wit four pictures Of life among
the leaders of our young nation and
their intriguing. willy, diplomatic associ-
ates. Frankly. there is no drama in
Dolly Madison" and those who demand
stirring action and dramatic power In
their stage fare may very properly go to
sleep during the second and third acts
But as a series of cleverly dialogued and
disconnected incidents from the career of
a woman who, if she was anything like
Miss Ferguson. is entitled to an even
more delightful reputation than history
gives US, Dolly Madison" provides
most pleasant evenings entertainment
Mr.. Nirdlinger begins his play in the
parlor of Dolly Todd's select boarding
house in Philadelphia. Among her dodgers
is Aaron Burr, running for the Presl-
dency against Thomas Jefferson The
electoral college is deadlocked, but Burr,
through his debonair carelessneSs, misses
his opportunity and loses the race to JEFF
ferson by one vote. At this juncture
we are introduced TO the charming Widow
Todd and to the secret of BurT's infatu-
alton for her. Dolly tells of an accident
she had suffered on the icy pavement
and of the gallant assistance rendered
her by a charming but unknown young
man. He turns out to be James Madison,
who Jefferson has just appointed Secre-
tary of State, and who, knowing by
reputation the fair young lady he rescued,
seeks an introduction through Burr. One
of the most delightful scenes in the play
occurs as soon as Madison and Dolly
are alone in her parlor. Madison bellies
his reputation for bashfulness by an i'm
mediate avowaI of love and a proposal
of marriage that sweeps Dolly from
her feet.
In the second act, we find Dolly,
now wife of the Secretary of State,
already established as mistress of the
White House functions, Jefferson be-
ing a bachelor The occasion is the
first official dinner. and Mr.. Nirdlinger
has cleverIy tinted history with colors
of his imagination to give us a most
amusing picture of the outraged feel
ings of the foreign diplomats when
confronted with "Jefersonian sim
pIicity' and lack of courtly formality.
Into this part OF the play the author
has woven the strange dream of Burr
for an independent republic in Mex
leo, with himself as President. Burr
intrfgues with the British Minister
against Spain, is exposed, and leaves
for New York to fight his duel with
Hamilton NirdIinger has made
strong figure of Burr. the dreaming
dandy and man of action a character
ization eXcellently portrayed by Orme
Caldara. well known to Washington
theatergoers from his association with
the Columbia Players.
The last act, IdlQ IN Lle MaQlSOn NOME,
provides the one touch of true drama in
the pIay-Burr's farewell to Dolly Madi-
son. The author has made Burr's love
for Dolly deep and abiding passion,
and when he bids her good-by on the
eve of the verdict in his trial at Rich
mOnd for treason, the Dolly Madison of
MIR. Nirdlinger's creation more than hints
that perhaps, after all, her choice made in
that clearinghouse parlor of hers in
Philadelphia might not have been prompt
ed by her hearts truth. 1t is a delicate
little scene alive with real feeling and
tense with suppressed emotion, and it is
presented to perfection by Miss Ferguson
and Mr. Caldara-
The lines throughout the play are par
ticularly brilliant Repartee sparkles
from the lips of the women and their
gaIlants, and the retort courteous be-
tween diplomatic enemies are delightful.
Miss FerguSon's lOveliness and her unde-
niable gifts as an actress of light roles
fit her to the part of Dolly Madison as
charmingly as the costumer has fitted
several enhancing gowns to her 1.-the,
Queenly form.
Among the other Characterization that
deserve special mention are those of
Lowell Sherman, as James Madison;
Regan Hughston. as the secretary to the
President; Carl Hartberg, as the Minister
from the Netherlands; William Hawuey,
as the British Minister. and Miss Flor
ence Edney as his wife.
2 RICHARD SCHAYER