The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-07-05
AUDIENCE ENJOYS
FIRST PRODUCTION
OF LORNA DOONE"
Real First Night" Presents
Unusual Difficulties for
Vagabonds.

1t is seldom indeed that a summer
stock audience has the opportunity to
witness so many out-of-the-ordinary
events in any one performance as die
the large gathering which assembled al
the Belasco last evening for the pre-
miere of Lorna Loone," Willard Hol-
combs dramatization of R. D. Black
more's famous romance of the Exmoor
country.
In the first place, 1t was a real urst-
night"-spmething very seldom seen in
stock. Then the author-critic added
another hyphen to his laurels by ap-
pearing in the role of Tom Faggus,
with but half an hour for preparation
and makeup, for Charles Hopkins, who
had been intrusted with that role, sue
cumbed TO the heat a scant thirty min
utes before the rise of the curtain.
In addition to this, the safe and sane"
Fourth must have had a depressing et-
feet on the powder used to supply the
various pistols used throughout the
piece, for on several occasions there
was no visible or audible sign. of their
firing, but nevertheless the witch was
killed by one of thosN same bullets
thus showing the power of mind over
matter and the permanence of dramatic
art.
Enjoyed by Audience.
But the audience enjoyed the pres
entation to a high degree-whether be-
cause OF or despite these little inter-
ruptions to the dramatic continuity OF
the piece is a debatable question-and
the heroic hero and villainOus villain
were alternately applauded and Kissed
in the most approved manner.
It is strange that this novel of early
English life has not been successfully
dramatized long ere this. for 1t con-
tsins great possibilities for dramatic
action, and Mr.. Holcomb has merely
touched on the most apparent ones. But
1t must be admitted that he has sue
ceeded in writing melodrama of sus-
tanned interest and power which. after
some judicious pruning in the first and
second acts, seems predeStined TO make
hit In the popular-priced theaters, Tor
which it was written.
There is action-large gobS OF lt-at
the end of each of the last three acts,
and the fights between Ridd and Car
yer Doone are sure to stir up great
deal of enthusiasm after the actors get
over their palpable fear of hurting one
another. The love scenes are well
worked out, and the part Of Tom Fag-
gus, in the hands of an actor who has
had time to familiariZe himself with
the lines and the business, should make
those Robin Hood-like parts which al
ways appeal to a sympathetic audience.
Mrs. Hopkins Work.
Percy Standing, last nights John
Ridd, is eminently fitted for the part
physically, but his memory is sadly de-
ficient After one gets used to seeing a
fair-haired Lorna Doone, Mrs. Hopkins
delineation of the role is a most de- |
lightful one, and her lighter scenes with |
Rid were exceptionally we'll done.
There were three character roles, how |
ever, which showed up as dra- |
matte high lights against the less
finished acting of the remainder of the |
cast These were the Counsellor Doone, |
OF Lionel Belmcre; the Sir Ensor Doone |
of Willard Robertson, and the Jan Fry of
w. H. Conley. Each of these delin- |
cations gave evidence of much prep |
aration and thought. Mrs. Wheat
croft'S witch was excellent, as was also
Maude Aliens Mistress Ridd.
The stage settings were exceptionally |
well thought out for a summer produc-
ton, and were at all times suited to
the production. Taken as a whole, the
piece seems bound to make a hit, and
1t will doubtless prove as much of
money-maker to its author as did his
dra rIatiZation of st Elmo" All 1t
needs is some judicious cutting and a
few good actors familiar with their
lines.