The Washington times., 1912-07-30
her GREAT MATCH
AT COLUMBIA Wins
AUDIENCES FAVOR
Miss Nelson and Leading
Man Excellent in Parts
Assigned Them.

Tier Great Match" the offering Of
the Columbia Players at the # street
playhouse this week. is to the matinee
girl Just what double-header Is to the
baseball fan, for the members of the
company are just what they should be,
and the play 10 staged with a care ana
a consideration which makes the audi
ence forget that they are merely on
lockers. and separated from the actors
by q row OF footlights.
This weeks attendance should prove q
record one, for, although many were
frightened off by the threatening clouds
and storm just at theater time. the
seats were well filled last night, and the
audience crept in by twos and threes
all during the first act
Mr.. Robins, in the role Of the Prince
of Eastphalia, is a concrete example OF
the popular conception Of leading
man. He wears gorgeous uniform, and
Is a most ardent lover of the American
heroine. The wicked stepmother OF said
heroine, the former role played by Car
rie Thatcher, and the latter by Miss
Nelson. is in dire financial straits. and
bargains with the millionaire, Mr.. Botes
(Mr. Barbier), who is the father OF Vic
toria Botes, friend Of the heroine, for
the loan OF $4,000 on the condition that
her stepdaughter. 10 sheldon. marries
the prince and secures for him baron
etcy. tM.
The plot seems to be working out ia
the satisfaction of all concerned. when
q stumbling block In the offer OF NOR
ganatic marriage from the prince causes
the heroine to change her mind, and
stop the action of the play. Miss Mel
son is a sincere and charming 10 Shell
don, and, 1t was quite evident to the
audience. better acquainted with her
lines than others of the company.
Miss Nelson, 1t may be mentioned ID
consistently conscientious, and very
very rarely does the audience the dis
courtesy of being ill-prepared. Mr.
Robins not only made heroic figure al
the Crown Prince of Eastphalia, but
he gave personality to the role, and
handled the German dialect with tao
and cleverness. His scenes with Mis-
Nelson are delightful and his struggle
with the intricacies Of the personal pro
noun robbed the love scene OF that Sc
riousness which Is SO out Of place In
comedy sketch of this kind.
AS usual. Miss Blanc & as H; r: n; n;
gave a satisfying character study, ant
showed herself even more proficien
than Mr.. Robins In her beautiful broker
English, which she assumes without an!
seeming effort and with perfect natural
ness.
Prompted by the memory Of her onl!
true love, who was so sweet, like
angel, and beautiful. like a imutch,' 'th'
grand duchess Is won over to the sid
OF the prince, her nephew, and uses he
influence. to make the match. Georgl
Barber, as the millionaire, Is strong
and does not make the part too heavy
The audience experienced a slight shock
when, in the first act, by one or tw'
strokes of the pen, Mr.. Barber wrote
long agreement, which took Mis-
Thatcher some time to read.
Miss Laura Oakman, a new membe
OF, the company, Is seen in the rol
of the Countess Cassavetti, and !
charming In her part, although 1t Is
small one. Godfrey Matthews and Mis-
Violet Heming, as the son and daughte
, Of Mr. Botes, were starthngly true I
life in their role Of spoiled children an
made the most Of their parts.
, Mr.. Kline, Mr. Richie, and Mr.. James
In minor roles, are pleasing. The pla
is more than well staged. the secon
act, showing the fountain, palms, an
lights in the Botes home, being es
lecially attractive. r...