The Washington herald., 1912-07-23
LAST NIGHT AT
THE THEATERS
PoII's THEATER.
"a GentIeman of Leisure"

1t Is not the usual thin8 1or WDhu8'
ton to receive an initial Introduction e
important New York successes at thu
hands of a company Of dramatic stock.
yet this has happened twice within the
past few weeks, each time at Polls The
ater Several weeks ago the popular
players Of this equally popular playhouse
offered 'aThe Fourth Estate" to Wash
ing for the first time. and this week
they bring us the chance Of seeing '"The
Gentleman of Leisure" the melodra-
matte farce in which Douglas Fairbanks
scored heavily in New York two seasons
ago.
From a story standpoint the piece is
highly improbable. but 1t teens with
tense dramatic situations, holding the
undivided attention Of an audience from
the moment young Bob Pitt, clubman
and Gentleman Of Leisure" accepts
the wager of Clarence iMacklin, his
closest friend, that he can rob a house
without detection by the police.
When the wager has been made and
his friends have all left him. chance ia
vors Pitt with an opportunity to learn
the first essentials of success in his un-
dertaking through an attempted robbery
In his own apartment by one Spike"
Mullins. to whom the young clubman
pretends that he Is a scientific burglar
just from London. II Is not a difficult
matter to persuade Spike to accom-
pany him on haul" Unluckily, and
through a mistake, Spike" guides him
into the house OF big Phir' Creedon,
Deputy Commissioner Of Police. with
whose daughter Pitt has fallen in love
on his hon1eward Journey from Europe
without knowing the girls name
Pitt fails to win his wager, for he Is
caught by Mollie Creedon herself. to
whom he has no difficulty in offering a
satisfactory explanation of his presence
in her fathers house in the We sma'
hours, He Is not so successful in d.
verting the suspicious OF Mollie's father,
however, who happens along about this
time. although he succeeds in escaping
the consequences of his folly for the
time being only to fall under Creedon's
suspicion and accusation a week later
when pearl neckless is stolen from the
hostess Of large house party at a sum-
mering place of which young Pitt Is a
member.
But the girl sticks bravely by her lover,
defying her father, whom she dearly
loves. even in the face OF the most in
eliminating evidence against The Gen.
tleman OF Leisure"
Needless to say she is justified in her
loyalty. and the mistake is Strengthened
out In happy ending. In which Pitt wins
the girl of his dreams.
lzetta Jewel made a most winsome Mol
lie, and scored heavily last night with
Polls patrons Her scenes with her Irish
father were particularly tender and ap-
pealing, while her big climax when she
dehed the Police Commissioner and de-
clared her faith in her lover was played
with an emotion that won for her un-
stinted and well-deserved applause. The
gowns worn by Miss Jewel in The Gen.
tlernan Of Leisure" are exceptionally
beautiful, and add much to the youthful
charm of the Irish commissioners little
daughter
To Mark Kent was allotted the role
of Big PhIl' Creedon. which he played
last night with consummate art. His mo-
ments with Mollie were touched with q
tenderness that made his audience love
the big-hearted policeman-a tenderness
which was in singular contrast to his
unbending hatred for Pitt. the suitor
for his daughters hand. whom he be-
lieved TO be a crook. Mr.. Kent made
the police commissioner a most human
and lovable character, a blending of
weakness and strength: all brooding love
for his motherless girl-an sternness and
suspicion for the supposed thief who
loved her. His work last night was one
OF the hits of the evening
A. H Van Buren, played the part Of
Pitt. and played II with all the charm
and magnetism to which Washington has
by now become accustomed. When he
in evening clothes in the first
act there was an audible sigh OF satis-
faction in the big playhouse. While
those who saw him last week in the
role of Brewster. the family lawyer in
The Third Degree" had to admit that
he did a splendid piece OF character
work in this part, they were glad Just
the same to See his return this week
to a straight dramatic role. Washing
ton playgoers are never so well satisfied
with Polls leading man as when they
see him cast in a role in which there
is dash of adventure. and much OF
the fire OF love. In The Gentleman of
Leisure" there is all of this. and Mr..
Van Buren, makes young Pitt a most
Individual
Graham Velsey. as Clarence Macklin
the young chap directly responsible for
Pitts troubles. in that he made the bet
with him concerning his ability to sue
cessfully ''burgle a house" was an at
tractive personality in last nights per-
formance. He looked the part Of Pitts
actor friend, and what was better. he
gave a most satisfactory Interpretation
Of the role.
Robert Le Sueur had a thankless task
In the Interpretation Of Sir Spencer
Brewer. a young English nobleman
whose uncle had brought him to America
FOR the express purpose OF marrying him
10 wealth, and Louis Haines was cast
Is Spike Mullins" the professional
porch climber.
Others included in the cast last night
were Duncan Penwarden as Sir Thomas
Blunt, Hardie Meahn. Eugene Savoy
ard, and John Fee as friends Of Pitt;
John German and James Ledwith. a $
plain clothesmen; Louise Kent as Lady
Blunt, Gertrude Bondhill as Miss Wolf,
Marie Howe as Miss otiss. Hazel May as
Miss Beldon, and Mildred Davenport as
Mss Beale, all numbered among guests