The Washington herald., 1911-04-18
A1F 7I[E5I[lIzE lE!If[[lIzzlA AITI2lIIzzS
THE COLUMBIA.
The Columbia Players in "Sweet
Kitty Bellafrs."


If stranger to Washington had wan
dered into the Columbia Theater last
evening at the close Of the third act OF
Sweet Kitty Bellairs-he would have
had to stand up. by the way-he would
have been at a loss to know whether he
had obtained entrance to a theatrical
performance or a reunion Of old friends,
but a moments consideration would have
sufficed to have shown him that 1t was
both. For Everett Butterfeld, who has
endeared himself to Washington theater-
goers for two seasons by his work In
stock, was introducing the members of
the Columbia Players of 1911. and the
proceedings partook in a great part OF
the meeting Of old friends.
But it was not only to those members
of the company who had appeared in sea-
sons past that the audience extended a
warm greeting and a glad welcome, but
to one and all Of the thirty-four members
Of the Players who had just participated
in three-fourths of the most charming
comedy ever acted by any stock company
in this city-presented in a manner which
surpassed anything ever seen in summer
companies here.
Sweet Kitty Bellairs," that Bath come
dy by David Belasco with the scene laid
in the English resort in the times when
men were, less inclined TO say that
Time is gold,' and overlay with toll their
pleasure was the first play to be select
ed for production this season, and that
the choice was happy one was attested
to by the capacity audience, their enthusi-
astic applause and most favorable COM
ments.
The play itself is too well known
through Miss Henrietta Crosman's excel
lent production some years ago TO need
any further comment Suffice II to say
that II is a comedy, replete with With
cisms and sparkling with epigrams-but
withal an underlying vein of dramatic
power and occasions for real acting
which crop out ever and anon, giving
opportunity for the display of the talent
of the actors. 1t may be added that there
was not one OF these opportunities which
was overlooked or underacted by the
Players last evening. One and all they
more than fulfilled the expectations and
even the hopes OF the audience and the
promises of the management of the the
ater that this would be the best company
the Columbia has ever had
To Miss Frances Nelson and Henry
Mortimer. respectively, the leading lady
end leading man of the 1911 Players, was
accorded the majority of the applause
for the new members OF the company.
Miss Nelson is the possessor of most
pleasing personality. a striking physique
and carriage, a charming manner, and
4 most delightful voice. 1t will indeed
BE- a surprise If she does not outdo in
popularity all Of her predecessors.
l. Mr. Mortimer, though somewhat handi-
capped last night by an inadequate part,
still showed that he was possessed Of
the requisites necessary for a leading
man. He is we'll built. has a good voice
and carriage, and in the dramatic crisis
of the second act and the sympathetic
acting Of the third showed his audience
that he is entirely worthy of the place
he holds.
OF the others who are new to the COM
pany-Miss Glendenning, Mr.. Morell. and
Mr. Barbier-little can be said, except
that they were entirely up to the stand
ard. OF the old-timers nothing new need
be said. The memory Of other years
speaks for them.