The Washington herald., 1911-10-15

New York, oct 1.-THE new plays ap-
pearing here this week have slightly
fallen of in number and it looks as
though the early season spurt for place
on the theatrical circuit was well over,
and that the producers who have sue
ceeded in making a mark were well con-
tent to rake in the shekles, while those
who have not as yet staged a success
are developing a bump of caution that
will hold the new offerings down to the
minimum for the rest Of the year.
Billie Burke in THE Runaway" at the
Lyceum is easily the star of this weeks
calendar Harry Lauder has returned
to New York for the plaudits and cur
peaTing at the Manhattan-and George
Beban is starring in the Sign Of the
Rose at the Garrick.
''The Runaway"
Out of the sunny fields Of Southern
France Michael Morton has woven the
woof OF youth and the work of love into
q dramatic fabric that admirably 1its
Miss Billie Burke and pleases the audi
ences of the Lyceum with its lightness
and luster-that is to say, Morton is the
American whose artistic taste must be
credited with finding and translating the
original French comedy Of Messrs.
Weber and De Crosse. THE Runaway"
is head and shoulders over the usual
Importation and seems destined to
nightly queue outside the box ONCE.
Little Colette is an orphan, living with
two maiden aunts at Pont Audemar.
Her love Of life. her laughter, and rc~
girlish pranks are all high crimes in
their elderly eyes, and call for criticism
and reproaches. Finally, after the
French custom, she is engaged to a vir-
tUous youth whose recreation is a Sun
day school, and whose passion is re-
lgion- Colette rebels.
The next act finds her in the Partisan
studio at Delonay, famous painter, who
has visited Pont Audemar and jestingly
Colette holds him to his promise, over
coming his objections with threats and
cajolery in swiftly changing moods. A
police sergeant arrives with a warrant
to search Delonay's rooms for the miss
ing girl. He finds her and also falls vic
tim to her charms. The scene gives Miss
Burke an excellent opportunity to portray
the art of which she is master.
Delonay's mistress then puts in an ap-
pearance. and Colette, hidden behind q
screen, watches the other woman's ca
resses and realizes that she loves her
protector. The mistress sits for her por-
trait and tries to patronize Colette, but
studio. Then the girl from Pont Aude-
mar sets about the conquest Of the paint
er. and he, despite the fact that he is
thirty years her senior falls under her
spell, finds his every argument refuted,
and finally consents to the union.
Colette provides an exceptionally good
role for an actress possessed with the
beauty, charm, and wit of Billie Burke,
and she plays the part with distinction.
Delonay. a difficult role, is played with
good effect by c. Aubrey Smith. The
others in the cast all contribute toward
The Runaway's" pleasing progression.
Harry Lauder.
Harry Lauder is with us again. He is
playing at the Manhattan, and the crowd
ed houses bear ample testimony to his
undiminished popularity.
Ladders recent appearance was moth
ing short of sensational. He was delay
ed on account of his boats detention in
quarantine. A tug was chartered, the
comedian was lowered over the side, and
was rushed to the theater fifteen min
utes after midnight. His welcome was
sensational From gallery to archestra
the audience rose as one man and hailed
him with roars of approval After the
noise had subsided, the comedian dropped
his suit case, looked quizzically at the
house and said; Have you people no
homes to go top
The SCotChman has brought over a
host of new songs that will prove as
popular as his last.
"The Never Homes"
The Never Homes is a success. There
is not the slightest doubt about It. From
the moment when the curtain rises at
the Broadway on the first Of the six
scenes till the orchestra strikes up the
finale, laughter reigns and novelty runs
riot through a gorgeous setting. THE
Never Homes is worthy successor to
The Hen Pecks," The Summer Widow
er.' The Jolly Bachelors" and other of
Lew Fields musical offerings.
The piece is a musical melange. The
Iiot so light that it is lost in laughter.
And the succeeding situations are staged
with a lavishness that set the Fieldian
pocketbook back some $4,000. The play
Is supposed to represent the incidents
that befall the town Of Lillydale under
the government of suffragettes. There
are pretty songs, pretty women, and
enough mirth provoking incidents to keep
the tired business man away from
home indefinitely.
Perhaps the brightest spot in the play