Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-10


that Henry Miller had re-
formed and discarded the 40
nestle. triangle as the SUD
a.. =, b;s especial artistic attentions
Whatever his subject may be, MI.
Millers treatment OF II IL always
tistic He has the art which Is quite
aist;,ct from morals of vivifying and
tmpressing the effect he seeks to pro-
ance regardless of whether the line OF
discussion is wholesome or benenciai
The triangle, however. he must havo
Even in this pretty comedy OF rather
and dauRhter sentiment he rattles 1t
defiantly, and for a scene or two It's
angle threatens to overwhelm the pres
entation.
1t turns out to be very harmless
and subdued triangle. 1t is introduced
at the very beginning and disposed
of within the space that would suffice
for a vaudeville playette. The little
girl. with pathetic past who fears
that her married happiness may be de-
stroyed by the companion Of evil days
is soon disposed Of and sent out into
the world happy in the possession of
the letters which threatened the hum
bic little happiness to which she chung
so dearly. 1t is a highly colored bit
of pathos with a touch Of Harlem dia-
lect. to give it current appeal. 1t is en-
tirely disposed Of early in the per-
Torrance, and having once gotten
through with his irresistible impulse
for triangulation Mr.. Miller proceeds
with play that is serenely idyllic and
without being pretentious in idea or
lxoh h 10 in NIL a. e.
full.
Mr. Miller is naturally accorded prestige
as the dominant influence of the produc-
tion because it accords so consistently
with certain high and distinct standards
which have presented themselves in
number of presentations with which he
has been identified. The author. Mr.
Thomas. asserts himself by his work.
nevertheless. It is the play of an ac-
complished writing man rather than of a
skilled plot constructionist. The simplest
theme in the play is the one that stands
out with exquisite distinctnass because
of the genuine humanity with which the
characters are treated. The little lessons
in affectionate department given by the
tiny daughter to her big-hearted, reckless
father count for more than all the intri-
cacies, OF story that are essayed. Mr..
Thomas. dialogue 'sparkFes with the fresh
ness OF true wit. -
The personal performances Of Mr. Miller
and of that extraordinarily accomplished
young woman Ruth Chatterton represent
the. vital interest. 1t is doubtful whether
any other actress could have endowed the
IL H.
refinement and at the same time with
the genuine, simplicity Of childhood. The
artifice OF bringing a child and a grown
man into q scene to gain the effect of
rathos is familiar. But there is a strain
of novelty in the affection of father and
daughter as motive, and the bare ex-
redient Of, bsingiBg-A Ygecoeious juvenile
into actio& in order to. c0mpA sentimental
response b dispensed with. There is none
of the little hint Of resentment which
many auditors feel at the exploitation Of
q prodigy as substitute for genuine his
trionic talents. Miss Chatterton Is the
more admira Bile because she is not q prod
ICY. but as her work plainly shows, a
student as well as the possessor of quaint
individual charm.
1t took Madame Sherry long time to
reach Washington. 1t had long ago been
melodiously impressed on the popular
mind that every little movement has a
meaning all IT'S own Yet the changes
which are rung on the melody had not
lost their appeal and the story of
youth who borrows a family from all
sorts of social strata in order to impose
on a rich. relation who unexpectedly visits
him is so highly emDellished, tunefully
and pictorially. that 1T retains humorous
appeal. After ALL that story is very little
older now than it was when Madame
Sherry was first presented. Miss Abar-
baneli is a songstress of exotic charm.
sort of Anna Held schooled to operate
proficiency and vivacious rather than
dangerous in her moods.
: 1t is unusual for Blanche Ring to close
an engagement without leaving behind
her souvenir in the shape of ro1lick-
ing song that everybody wants to whistle.
1.-The Wall Street Girl is an arduous
effort to pay laugh dividends on copiously
.watered musical comedy stock.
Washington is already beginning to
look forward to theatrical season
largely local in character. The Columbia
Players will open SO early as to bring
!. their performances into direct compare
son with the offerings Of the regular
season at higher prices. Chase's Thea
ter has been secured by a prominent
New England theatrical organizer who
will Immediately follow polite vaudeville
with polite drama and music. Other thea
tiers have plans we'll under way for enter
tainment Of a more or less similar charac-
ter The stock system is assuming proper
aions that look like possible return to the
times when the travelling organization
came as an event and not as matter
Of routine. The stock company engage
ment is comforting alike to patrons, man.
ayers, actors and playwrights. The
patrons find satisfactory entertainment
at moderate expense The managers are
not compelled to risk fortunes on the
production of untried material The
actors find at hand roles which have
been previously well studied out by
players of distinction whose work may
serve as reliable models. And the play
wrights have the pleasure or coliectlng
liberal ROYALTIES on material tried out
and approved so long ago that it is
beyond the attacks Of the critical har-
poon. Therefore there can be no quarrei
with the stock company 1t is an IN
stitution which promotes sense OF
confident serenity so far as the public
is concerned. II there are to be dis
sensions. they must be internal and adj