The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1912-11-26
Margaret Anqiin.

Margaret AngIin.
Times-Democrat, Nov. 10.
Comedy of a refreshingly new type
is purveyed in Green Stockings" the
three act farce which was given it's
initial performance by Miss Margaret
Anglin at the Dauphine Theater last
night. And it is comedy given under
the best possible auspices. Nothing is
cheap or tawdry; nothing is pinch
beck; nothing is second rate. From
the gorgeous tapestries n hangings
on the walls of the luxurious English
comedy house down to the simplest
table decoration, all is perfection in
appointment, and there is not the
smallest detail which has o receiv-
ed the closest attention. Probably no
production at the Dauphine has been
more handsomely staged.
Miss Anglin gives the play under her
own direction, which is a sufficient
guarantee for it's high standard. She
has surrounded herself with a capable
cast, any one of whom who could rank
with any in his Or her line OF dramat-
ic work. And withal Miss Anglin does
not AXE the foreground excessively.
The work is evenly balanced, except
in the parts where the denOuements
of the plot require the star and her
opposite, and throughout the opening
scenes the interest is wonderfully
we'll sustained. The lines are scintil-
lating with wit, and wit of the highest
order; a byplay of sallies such as one
would expect in a home Of culture,
where coarseness is banished and
horse play unknown.
The carelessly concealed desire of
an aristocratic family to marry off it's
eldest eligible, Miss Celia Faraday.
furnishes the Introductory situations,
and Miss Angiin as the near-spinsterly
Celia complexities matters by invent
ing a tiance and then killing him off
at what she considers an opportune
moment.
The ingenious frankness of Miss
Margery Card, as Phyllis Faraday, the
youngest and as she considers the
most manageable of her father 9
daughters, in discussing her sisters
absence of admirers, provides the first
Outburst of merriment. This gradual.
ly grows into an ever recurring laugh
as she explains the custom of the fam
Ay II OAA0 INV SC11d udS udu 10
wear green stockings at the weddings
of her two other sisters, and must
now follow suit at her approaching
marriage with a budding baronet.
When Miss Anglin decides to invent
a fance In order to prove that she
does not have to bear the sneers and
slurring remarks of her family, the
laughter becomes contagious. At
times last night the audience, espe-
cially the feminine portion, was in
an uncomfortable state, and as the
plot developed and the dead" lover
%resurrects himself from his Somali-
land grave there were no bounds to
the mirth. In the opening acts, Miss
Juliet Fremont, the handsome daugh-
ter of the late Rear Admiral Fremont,
commander of the battleship Mississ-
ippi, when she made her memorable
cruise up the Mississippi river to re-
ceive her silver service at Natchez in
1909, appears to excellent advantage
as Lady Evelyn Trenchard. She is
charming and gracious, and has re-
markably clear enunciation. Miss
Card. as the ingenue, also occupies
a prominent part in the Introductory
scenes,
Miss Maude Durand is a character
woman of rare ability. Her role is
that of the confidants Of the lover
less maiden. and the Interpretation is
all that could be desired. She is es-
pecially good in the death" notice
scene Of the imaginary fiance, where
she almost has Mysteries and com
pletely upsets the eQuanimity of the
family.
At this juncture the work becomes
a roaring farce and the outbursts of
laughter are riotous. Miss Anglin
provokes the situation by appearing
as a dignified parsonage clothed in
widows weeds, and her entrance is
too much for the susceptible conf
dante.
Col. J. N. Smith, D. 8. O., the lead
ing man Of the play, makes his en-
trance towards the middle of the sec
ond act. Stanley Dark has the diff
cut role. and his Interpretation is
hardly less capable and artistic than
that of the star. The play Of emotions
displayed by the two principals il it.
self worthy of close study, and it is
rare that one has al opportunity of
seeing actors who so carefully value
the effect Of the turn Of an eyelid, the
raising of a brow or the turn OF the
lip. AS Miss Anglin is a consummate
mistress Of her art, she has her like
In virility in Mr.. Dark. Miss Anglin's
gowns are costly and beautiful, and
like those Of the other female charac-
ters. Is in keeping with the elegance
OF the surroundings which are depict.
ed.