Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-07
RelaSco.

Albert Chevalier's new three-act play,
Daddy Dufard." was presented for the
first time in Washington at the Belasco
Theater last evening. The play is pleas
ing but simple except for dramatic SUD-
terfuge which introduced a theater, where
Mr.. Chevalier. as SUCH could present MS
inimitable character songs, and also
where the climax of the play itself was
cleverly worked out. Daddy Dufard re-
veals Chevalier as an actor of eminent
ability and finesse.
Recollection centers upon the player
rather than upon the play. Daddy Du-
fard' Is a character creation SO lovable
and impressive as to take Its place alnohs
those made famous by Jefferson and Sol
Smith Russell
Daddy Dufard' is a French baron,
who is struggling to recoup h lost FOR.
tune or, better, to win bread for himself
and fame for his only daughter In theat-
rical life in London. He will not permit
even his old friend. Joseph Fontaine. to
speak French in his home. 1t must be
English, always English, lest the dtStrac-
ton mar his requirement of the language
or restore an accent which he lmaSlnes
he has lost. Paul Hammond. young
play wright, has written sketch in which
Rose Dufard hopes to appear. 1t was
written for her In fact. But Just when
her hopes are highest Selia Fitzjames,
musical comedy favorite.' demands the
part. and Rose is apparently doomed TO
disappointment. Daddy Dufard, too,
has met with disappointment in securing
an engagement to play the role of
French nobleman 1t all happens on his
birthday. which his friends have made
preparations to celebrate. There is the
big birthday cake, the present of his
German friend, Otto Myenberg, with Dad
dyS age tactfully traced on the icing as
fifty-eight. He is really sixty-five, and
one after another bring in their presents
to the old man. who, the while. herOically
hi n I,fS-
heartache at the disappointment of his
daughter. When one wonders what IS to
come next. in rushes Joseph Fontaine,
manager of the AlsatianS' Club, which is
about to be raided for it's gambling.
Daddy Dufard" is appealed to by the
manager to help them out, cost what it
may. The old man accepts installs him
self in the club as his home, causes an
interview with Baron Dufard to be
published in the newspapers. and soon
has the theatrical manager as we'll as his
star, who has replaced Rose, virtually at
his feet.
By clever duplicity he succeeds in hav-
ing the star throw over her engagement
and secures it for his daughter, whom he
has carefully drilled for it. Her sue
cess is so complete that she secures a
permanent offer at SO a week, and her
future is assured because she is the
beautiful daughter of Baron Dufard''
as well as an actress of ability.
The first two acts do little more than
Introduce a number of characters and
display the affection of the old man for
his daughter and the apparent love of
everybody for himself. The last act has
three settings, all at the theater. The
first is the lobby, where Daddy Dufard
is seen with elaborate floral offerings
which he distributes to his friends to
throw on the stage to Rose, and where
also he brides the boy who brings the
flowers to get the applause of the gal
leries. The second setting Is the front
of the stage of the theater where Mr.
Chevalier is billed to appear and where
the opportunity is afforded for the intro
duction of the specialties in coster songs,
Mrs. Emery 'Awkins" and The Work
house Man.. a remarkably impressive
characterization in itself. The third set
ting displays the stage. behind the scenes,
with vaudeville players rehearsing their
acts. Here also is the final scene of the
play, following the triumph of Rose, in
Vulnerable curtain calls, and her engage
ment by the manager permanently
Miss Violet Henng makes admir-
able Rose. Two other character sketches
that stand out prominently in cast that
is throughout adequate and commenda-
BILE are Bert Cole, proprietor of the
Alsatians Club. played by Mr.. Claude
il. Cooper. and Sir John Baines, IAN
original member of the club, splendidIy
impersonated by Mr.. Mitchell. The cast
seems burdened with unnecessary roles,
a a xya1l ta1