Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-09

Willard HoicombS dramatiza-
ton of r. ID. Blackmore's ia
nous novel. Lorna Doone.
cannot fairly be considered TO have had
its first genuine presentation 1t was un-
fortunate that Mr. Holconb was called
into harness to make possible the try
ont" at the Belasco Tuesday evening,
because It was his first great opportunity
TO see and correct manifest defects in his
play.
The dramatization discloses con-
nected and Interesting story that will
not only thrill lovers of the melodrama
at the cheaper houses. as some have
suggested but will be a welcome at
traction at the best theaters when it
is perfected.
N has been suggested that at present
the play seems too long by an act;
that the fourth act might we'll be
omitted and the natural climax taken
advantage Of in the third act: that 1t
might be well. too. r Mr.. Holcomb
can see his way clear to assume In
his first act that the elder Ridd has
already been killed and to lead the
Doones 10 the Ridd home in chase
after John Rid for prying into their
stronghold IL would be more recon
cilable with the age and size of John
Ridd in the opening act to those who
love the novel. There seems a bit too
much dialogue. too. bringing into
prominence unimportant characters
and matters. The defects seem small
and easily remediable.
The suggestion is Eratuitous. but
sincere and ii comes from a source
that holds the playwright as well as
the source Of his play in high esteem.
Vale Vagabonds. 1t seems a pity that
an organization SO strong individually
should have been weak collectively.
The fault would seem TO be with the
individual. What is worth doing at
all is worth doing well'' IL an old
and true maxim. Too much personal
ambition and too little esprit de corps
had much to do with the failure Of
THE Nagabonds" to establish them
selves individually and collectively as
an attractive play organization and
favorites in Washington.
But playlovers here will always glad
~ welcome Mrs. Hopkins. Lionel Bel
more and Willard Robertson. as we'll as
s1 who really try to contribute their
share to a good production rather than
10 individual ambition.
And that suggests a thought as to the
reason for the remarkable success of the
Columbia Players season after season. re-
gardless of their plays and changing per-
sonnet Playgoers who single out players
as favcrites do so unconsciously because
OF their contribution to the general
excellence OF the plays in which they ap-
pear III the plays are bad, rest assured
there will be no favorites. Sometimes
team work. as the base ball players
term it. or cooperation to legitimate
end. TO express it more clearly. pulls
bad play out of the fire OF adverse criti-
cism And team work has always been
a characteristic of the Columbia Players,
with the result that 1t has told in the box
Office where salaries are made; with the
public. where applause-the actors life
foods manufactured. and in individual
regulations which otherwise might not
have been developed. or else might have
been overlooked. All the players share
in success, but none escapes in case
of a failure The player who plays
for personal success alone seldom
reaches the heights of glory.
Gently for a car ride and few hours at
the suburban parks. Three good ones are
in operation in three directions. Glen
Echo Luna Park and Chevy Chase Lake.
Country air is very refreshing after a
warm day.
A VAN buren, VOLUNTARY
Those who have marveled at the
rapid leap into favor of 4. II. Van
Buren, OF the Columbia Players may
want TO know something Of the man.
First of all. say those who know him
best, he is thoroughly sensible fel-
low. amiable. affable and not the least
bit heady in the world. He has had
the experience that teaches the salu-
tary lesson. He has never been affiict-
ed with 1.-The artistic temperament
He does not think he is the whole
show. and modesty is not the small
say HIS friends. shows why he is sue
cessful He always tries to do his
best. but he does not think he knows
IL all He has great ambition as an
actor. and taste for home life as sim
pie as childs.
Give me log cabin and the sun
light of home with my best friends
and couple of dogs, he said recent
ly. and l can find real happiness !
would have two inscriptions upon the
cabin. One would be over the door
on the outside, and IL would read:
Abandon Care Ye Who Enter Here.
The other. over the fireplace. Tine
Ornaments of a Fireside Are the Loved
Ones Who Gather Around It. Wouldn't
IL he great"
Mr. Van Buren, was born in Phila-
delphia and afterward lived in New
Haven until he was old enough to run
away from home to sail the briny seas
on steamboat. His father was a
theatrical manager in New Haven. and
from him Van got his taste for the
footlights. His first stage work was
In amateur plays for the society folk
of New Haven. Then he thought he
would try stock. and after an expert
ence with Keith's BijOu Stock Com
pany he learn,d to like IL. At first
the company played only sensational
dramas: then suddenly IL stopped and
gave itself over to comedies only.
He started in as heavy man." but
when the leading man left he was pro-
NOTED 10 be the Juvenile" Then he
went to Memphis. where he played with
pany until he Joined the Castle Square
Company at Boston. with whic. he
played for thirty weeks. This
was followed with a season with the
Tannhauser Company OF Milwaukee
and led up TO an engagement with
the Proctor Fifth Avenue Stock Com
pany in New York where he PLAYED
with Amelia Bingham. For a time he
played with the Proctor Company in
Troy
Among his successful impersonations
with the Firth Avenue Company were
Marc Antony. in Cleopatra. the dual