Evening star., 1911-07-30

~ ACH succeeding week seems to de-
velop in the Columbia Players
latent talent of high order, and
last week was not an exception
to the rule. Right here in his
home city. where Tim Murphy made
Hoyt's pIay. A Texas Steer famous,
where he always drew capacity audiences
from, the Senate House of Representa-
tivcs, the Supreme Court of the United
States and from every walk OF omciai
and social life. the man who essayed 10
step into his shoes in the role or Maverick
Brander had a large proposition on his
hands
How well George Barber did the act
thousands of theatergoers, vino crowded
the Columbia Theater last week, can best
tell! Those whose duty it was to write
m opinion had nothing but what was
favorable to say. But the people who
went to enjoy the play told their story
IN continuous laughter that did not die
out even when the oft repeated applause
seemed TO move them to louder demon
strations of approval. 1t was splendid
piece OF work.
From the head of the cast to Fishback,
the negro Office seeker. and Col. *. n.
Pepper is big jump. But it has to be
H.
and Willard Robertson in the latter were
simply immense. No one has surpassed
either in his part Nina Melville. too.
made q big stride forward as BosSy. Self
possessed natural and always pleasing
she played her part with the finish of a
1ulI-nedged leading woman The other
players, all of them. fully measured up to
the requirements, and made the produc-
ton an enjoyable success. Opportunity
alone seems to be wanting to show how
very good all these players are.
The regular season is near at hand.
Already the Academy and the Lyceum
are making their opening announcements.
The New Ycrx producers too, are prom
isIns wonderful things with TO mention
whatever of the lemons" they manage
TO squeeze III dtener than they should.
REALISM RpBUKED.-Stanley James
received a compliment Thursday which
nearly upse. him. He had been told Mon
day in the loca. criticisms how well he
had played the part of Fshback. an Of
fee seeker. in "A Texas Steer" when he
fairy divided the honors with George
bal bier and Nina Melville. But the latest
compliment came IN a form quite unex-
pecteu and from an entirely different
source.
Mr.. James is a quiet, dign!fied. polished
gentleman of the stage. tie seldom al
lows anything 10 disturb his equanimlty
Ear taught that . a soft answer turnetn
Ava, WRATH, he has long practIced the
virtue of dealing in whispered words OF
sweet conciiiat.on. His most intimate
Trends fail to recall a time when he has
ever permitted himself TO be aroused,
save. OF course, In the morning. when
Ing OF strenuous discipline
he was situng quietly in his room
TUESDAY, aiJef reii. ai sat- coming the
lines of w olsey Bishop of London, in
this weeks play, when visitor was an
nOunced. 1t was man, evidently from
the far south, and a-so evidently not in
good temper Mr.. James received MIN
with CheSterfieldian courtesy and asked
him to be seated.
NO. sab. exclaimed the visitor,
don't perpose TO be seated. Ny business
calls for action. sab. and reckon Id
better keep on nay feet, sab.
.'Oh very we'll replied Mr. James. soft
~. but suavely. but the reply made HIN
anxious
Young gentleman proceeded the
visitor, when l came in hyar it was my
purpose, sab, to administer a severe casti-
cation to YOU. sab. 1 belong. sab, to the
party That believes to the victor belongs
tie spoi-s. san and l recently came here
with expectations. ! thought so actin
even il You was dressed as a niger
1t kinder wrenched ple, sab, yes, wrench
ed me, sah.
why, my dear sir" came back the
aStute Mr.. James. Il merely played
part that was VII ten more than twenty
years ago. certainly didn't know you,
any more than the author when he wrote
the play. which has reference to condi-
tons long since removed
We'll. sah that doesn't placate me- sab.
half much yo' looks, sab It's easy
to reckon that you've been disappointed
yo'self. sab. You look it, sah in every
line OF yo' face, sab. an 70 that reason
aione. sab. / will withhold my wrath.
oh. thank you." gasped Stanley. You
are close observer. The fact is / have
been disappointed.
OF co Sc you have. sab. of co'se YOU
have. No goes to playactin' fer
nothin', sab. no san. Good day and lie
fiounced out as br.skly as he flew IN.
II must have done it right" murmured
Stanley, ITO hit him SO hard