Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-09
Columbia.

OF such general excellence have been
the productions presented by the CO.
lumbia Players since the Columbia
Theater began to conjure with their
magic name that its clientele has
come to look upon almost anything
they present as q guarantee of
pleasant evening. No matter what.may
be the play announced. or what may
have been the changes in the organi-
ration since 1t first began to attract
assured in advance for every per-
Torrance. There was no departure
from the rule last evening when w.
Somerset Maugham's delightful COM
edy. Jack Straw" was presented for
Although the mention Of the name
of the play brings quick recollection
Of John Drew and his splendid COM
pany that made Jack Straw a thing
to be remembered in the theatrical
world. the audience last evening
seemed to have no doubt of what was
coming. There was no question that it
stamped the performance with its
warm approval.
The play was thoroughly enjoyed
throughout. II one might Judge by the
smiles. the laughter and the applause
that greeted each new situation and each
sally Of wit with which it scintillates.
The audience was not one with q pencil
taking tabs. 1t cared nothing for unities,
dramatic construction or anteclimaxes.
1t did not even balk when once or twice
overstepped the limit. 1t was evidently
being vastly amused. and that was all It
was there for, except of course. to reg
lister the fact.
With the memory Of John brow in The
title role well in the foreground, Henry
Mortimer. the leading man. AMI a most
excellent one at that. was easily The star
OF the cast. No one expected MIN to be
John Drew, but there are few, il any,
who witnessed his performance last even
fer much. II at ALL in the comparison.
Miss Emile Melville was the Mrs.
Parker Jennings of the cast, and her
work told well with the audience. Miss
FRANCES Nelson. Everett Butterfell,
Frederick Forester. Miss Jessie Glen
denning. George W. Barber, Stanley
James. and in fact all the others in the
cast. some of then with we'll established
regulations as favorites and others fast
on the road to become so. met the re-
quirements OF their various roles in a
pleasing manner. Jack Straw" with
out any stretch of generosity. NAV be
classed among the plays that have been
exceiiently presented by the Columbia
Players. 1t gives promise Of drawing
crowded houses the entire week.
New National.
Love and tragedy as exemplified tn
the Japanese heart and expressed in
Puccini's Madame Butterfly (ser,ous
music. with only now and then a strain
of melody that repeats ITSELF is this
weeks offering at the National by the
Aborn English Grand Opera COMPANY.
Many other singers have been heard here
in this opera. but probably none of them
especially the star Of the title role, re-
ceived more genuine or more prolonged
applause than was accorded Dora de Fill
lippe last night after each of her great
solos Miss de Philippe will sing again
Thursday night and at the Wednesday
and Saturday matinees.
Henry Taylor. as B. F.. Pinkerton.
lieutenant in the United States NAVY.
sang the care-free lover but faithless
husband in chrysanthemum land accept
ably. 70 did Morton Adkins the Sart of
the United States consul at Nagasaki
The other members OF the cast are:
Suzuki. Cho-Cho Sans servant, Ellen
James. who sang well: Kate Pinkerton.
Laura Terrell; Goro. marriage broker,
thur Rollins: The Bonze. Saul Roselle:
rial Commissioner. Fred Chapman: the
Cho Sans mother. Kate Regan; the
cousin. Grace Wall; the aunt. Belle
Fromme.
Incidentally. the orchestra showed its
full value to the performance. The