The Washington times., 1912-10-29
I||| JULIA MURDOCK'S
|||| THEATER GOSSIP
Julia Murdock Says Pure Comedy
Of Never Say Die" Is Refreshing
No Slap Stick, No Seltzer
Bottles, in Fact, a
Funny Play.

of living slaps the angel OF death In the
face.
way down deep In his heart he has
cherished the memory OF his bride Of a
minute. but feeling that he had put one
over on Violet and Hector. SO to speak.
he conceives the plan OF allowing her
to obtain a divorce. so that she may
marry Hector. He hires a dancing girl
to come TO his rooms, and detective
to and them together. and to furnish
the testimony that would set Violet
free.
This plan would have worked beauti-
fully had the visit OF the footlight IA
vorite not appeared at the exact mo-
ment that Violet and her mother arrive
to pay a visit to Dionysius. Tho girls
presence and the fervor with which the
detective enters into the business Of
earning his money. furnish one Of the
most iaughable scenes Of the play.
However, this is but one.
The Never Say DE- piece keeps the
audience laughing for two solid hours
and a half. by sheer force OF It's funny
lines. rather than by any comedy that
In to be found in the somewhat common
place plot. Collier Is Infinitely amusing
in the play. as he always is In any Of
tho roles he undertakes. His comedy
10 subtle and quiet, and does not de-
pond upon the slap stick for it's appeal.
That's what ] like about Never Say
DE" Nobody bangs n door In any-
body's face. There's no scltzer-siphon
trick. no situation where q thud from
the base drum Is needed to punctuate
the joke and indicate to the audience
| that II Is time to laugh. The clever
little Jokes that come bubbling up con-
tinually. keep the audience chucklinr
and giggling throughout the entire
evening. The play ends happily. oi
| course. and Dionysius. strong. hale
| and with the appetite OF an elephant
the thirst OF camel. and a pertectl,
good liver. gets the girl after all. and Q
! rather good old scout of a mother-in
law in the bargain.
| Supporting Mr.. Collier Is Miss Paulf
Mari, the Washington girl who has thu
part OF Violet Stevenson. What sh'
lacks as an actress sho makes up II
looks. for she Is very sweet and pretty
and wears some stunning gowns. Sh
fails to play up to Mr.. Collier. however
| end is a trifie cold in her lovemakinS
A little more ginger In the last seen
would make her role moro convincing
Young Collier, Jr, ,.,.,,.,
Makes Decided Hit,
Small william Collier, jr.. In the par
OF "Euster'' made decided hit las
evening. He wanted to get rid Of hi
dog. SO bestowed 1t upon Dionysus
who seemed to be the Patsy BOLIVIA
for all of his friends and acquaintance
If Mr. Collier doesn't look out, sma
William Collier will be the star Of tn
piece, for he is a splendid little actol
who isn't a bit stacy. and who Is
fine. manly chap, who carries on NOR
than half the honors OF the play.
Griggs. the valet, played BY Gran
Stewart, is an excellent bit Of worl
and SO is the part OF Verchesi. in whic
Is seen Nicholas Judeis. Miss Erro
who was seen in Washington earlier
season in ''The Searchlight." has tn
small part OF Ia Cigale. In which sh
Is excellent.
There are two pompous doctors. playe
by John Clulow and Charles Dow Clarl
and there Is Hector. the man VIII
doesn't get the girl. In which Frederic
. Rowland Is happily cast. The charac
, ter part OF the Hon. Mrs. Stevenson
in the capable hands Of Emily Fitz
roy, who gives an excellent delineatio
OF the aristocratic English womal
? Herbert Ayling. as the detective. is sal
? isfying. The piece contains sever,
/ smaller parts. including those of a
expressman. played by James Sheeral
,, Mr.. Gibbs by Tom McGrath. and a ser,
ant, In which John Adam Is seen.
JULIA MURDOCH.