The Washington herald., 1912-07-16
COLUMBIA.
.Pr.tty Pesry.n


| Despite the humid heat of last evening
the Columbia Theater was well filled to
witness the production Of Pretty
Peggy" the alluring romance Of a
century gone by when tradition had II
that David Garrick loved Peg Wofing-
! ton. both prime favorites Of the London
stage In the eighteenth century.
Frances Aymar Mathews, the author OF
the piece. has woven a most entrancing
glamour around the historical figures who
held the center OF the stage last night
| even as they did in that long ago yester-
year when they stormed the heart Of the
English public.
The tale that is told by the Columbia
Players this week OF the fortunes OF
Pretty Peggy" furnished entertainment
sufficiently gripping to make their faith
full patrons seem quite oblivious to the
torrid weather, and well It might. for u
Is pretty story, gorgeously costumed.
well mounted. and admirably played.
Peg Wellington Is an Irish Orange
lassie, who is discovered I'm a Dublin
circus by the famous David Garrick.
who carries her on to London and Drury
Lane. where she makes such conquest as
to justify all his predictions for her, for
way into the heart Of the great city.
making slaves of all the lords and dan
dies.
But the conquest which makes her hap
riness- and mars II. too. for that mat
ter-is of the tickle heart Of David Gar
rick, who can3ot bring himself. all at
once. into giving an undivided devotion
to any one woman.
A fouted lover, a Jealous actress. and
French dancer. who held Garrick's 8
promise of marriage until the coming OF
Peggy, plot against the girls happiness
IL vain until the dancer. Eva Sorrel by
name, comes to her on her wedding day
with the tale of her first hold on Gar
rick's affections, and her right to first
place in his life.
Following close on the breaking OF her
engagement with David Garrick. Peggy
becomes the further victim of jealousy
when her rivals seek to drive her from
the stage In a performance in which she
breaks down utterly.
During this shameful piece OF business
Garrick Sits In a box on one side of the
stage, the Prince of Wales on the other.
while George Anne Bellamy, the rival
of Peg Wellington for professional hon.
ors, and other plotters against her sue
cess and happiness occupy other boxes,
and Csyandish. who has been paid by
Eva Sorrel TO hiss the noted actress
from the stage, rushes down the isle
wake, furnishing a sensational and novel
performance.
To the satisfaction OF the audience the
unhappy actress triumphs over her ene-
mics, the last curtain leaving her in
the arms of the repentant Garrick.
Pretty Peggy" which is the comedy
in which Grace George found such favor
with the theater-going public. lost nothing
of its fascination in the hands OF the CO.
lumbia Players last night
The role OF Peg Wellington was essay
ed by Frances Nelson. who brought TO
life the noted actress of a long gone day.
with her Irish wit and beauty. fascinating
her admirers with her Interpretation OF
the role. Miss Nelson's work in the last
act was specially notable for its finesse
and sympathy. winning the unstinted ap-
proval of her audience.
Edward II. Robins made the sort of
David Garrick one might well believe
TO have been as adored by women as he
was reputed inconstant to them. He won
the way to Peggy's heart, and to many
another besides. for his love scenes were
particularly sincere in their enactment,
and well deserving favorable comment.
Into Carrie Thatcher's hands fell the
catfish character Of George Anne Bel
lamy. whose despicable jealousy led her
in all lengths. The role stood out we'll
in the production, and was but another
proof of Miss Thatcher's versatility.
Airline McDermott gave a most ac-
ceptable Interpretation OF the French
dancer. determined alike on holding her
own with Garrick, and the destruction
of her rival.
As Cavandish. the fortune teller and
fiouted lover of Pretty Peggy" VIII
lard Robertson gave a vivid and sin
cere performance, making the role a
big one through his capable handling
of IT,
George W. Barber, as Earl of Chol-
has a somewhat small part
this week, while Julia Blanc, as Mrs.
presents a big character
role. which she handled last night
most capably.
Violet hemming and J. Hammond
Daley. as Polly Wellington and Capt.
fairs along a rough way in the begin
ming to a satisfactory terminus, while
supporting members Of the company
added much last night to a production
altogether pretty and pleasing.
Pretty Peggy is an admirable hot
weather diet, and is well worth while as
presented this week by the Columbia
players l. G. MANI