The Washington times., 1911-04-18
LOVE FEAST IS HELD
AND WELCOME GIVEN
COLUMBIA PLAYERS
Opening of the Summer
Stock Season Is Great
Success.

The Columbia Players. who opened
the third season in stock at the F-street
playhouse, last night, not only gave a
highly acceptable performance Of Sweet
Kitty Bellairs'" that sparkling comedy
of Georgian Bath: they did more. for
they soon awakened an enthusiasm on
the part of the audience-happy to well
come the familiar faces and glad to
make the new ones feel at home
which rapidly became love feast. It
was like the reunion of a large and de-
voted family and across the footlights
the mutual laughter and goodfellowship
established an entente which will last
until the final curtain falls.
1t is unnecessary to speak of the
merits of the play, which has already
been accepted everywhere as one OF the
most delightful of the comedies Of man
ners, and it is, perhaps. enough to say
hat each and every part was admirably
sustained, notwithstanding the heavy
drain which Is especially imposed upon
a stock company in presenting the init
fal performances where there are so
many tangled ends to take up. The
keen eye OF a man like Curtis probably
caught some little blemishes in the
bantIing he had done so much to lick
into shape, but the audience came with
nigh expectations, founded in abundant
good humor, and went home delighted
The stage settings and costuming
were rich. and yet artistic, In every
scene, and establish high standard for
the season which, nevertheless, will un-
doubtedly be maintained. for the honor
OF the house and the players, who have
won a reputation which cannot be i'm
.periled with tmpunity.
Leading Woman.
Miss Frances Nelson, the leading
woman, gave a most excellent interpre-
tation OF Kitty, and indicated a range
of talents, a painstaking care, which
not only left nothing to be desired IN
the character she was assum' ng for the
time being, but made 1t clear that the
management has secured an artist for
the season who will take with her the
hearts of the people when she goes
away.
Henry Mortimer, the leading man,
gave every evidence in this1nitial per-
formance that the management In Sc
curing him has chosen wisely and we'll
Perhaps there was touch or nervous
the whole his portrayal of Lord Varney
was artistic and satisfying. He has
the voice, the training and the stage
presence which fit him to fill acceptaoly
the WnOle range OI EOits "LliSii win bC
presented during the spring and sum-
mer.
AS Miss Arnold remarked. when in
turn she was called upon TO respond to
the calls Of the audience. nobody likes
a certain sense. And yet,
there are few audiences SO unsophisti-
Gated as not to realize that convincing
Of a character which, as a
character. is odious, Is one or the -
tests Of the hightst skill. She met the
nE r. rt n n
fullest extent. 1t was evident that she
has the real temperament and that IN
the course OF the season she will become
q prime favorite. she Is strikingiy
handsome woman whose ease and grace
were evident at first sight Her friends
will expect to hear great things of her
in the larger history of the dramatic
world.
Great Success.
And that delightful little ingenue-was
che really acting? Miss Jessie Glen
put so much real feeling into
the fearful part Of Lady Standish that
It was hard to say which was nature
and which it's mirror. Mr.. Barber will
make many friends as a character actor.
The worst that malice itself could have
said Of him last night was that he had
never made inebriety close personal
study. In more sober opportunities he
will leave nothing to be desired.
Everett Butterfield is an old favorite
here. He felt at home, and said SO. 1t
seemed quite a matter of course that he
should take the part Of master Of cere-
monies in the love feast Of the informal
entire act, and he did it we'll. Just as he
does all things well.
But why enumerate? The premiere
was a success-a great success, and the
season at the Columbia will be
the greatest in the history OF the or
ganiZation, which has already estab-
iished high standard of excellence.