The Washington herald., 1912-03-03

New York, March Six newcomers
arrived on theatrical Broadway dur
ing the same number of days, and the
week goes down in the log as one OF
the most strenuous for first-nighters
since proposal year" made its debut.
Two OF the six are ''Hengifsh, yknow"-
the centennial production OF Dickens
''oliver. Twist" at the New Amsterdam,
and Lady Patricia at the Empire: one
is delightfully."- Parisian-''The Lady OF
Dreams at the Hudson; and the other
three are strictly Yankee-"The Grey
hound" at the Astor: The Truth
Wagon at Daly's, and PRESERVING
Mr.. Panmure," at the Lyceum.
The Dickens revival, at the New Am
sterdam, presents a most remarkable
company of players and at the same
time demonstrates the fact that the big
promoters are learning how 10 bury the
hatchet' on occasions. Nineteen of the
twenty-fouT principal players in the cast
were ''loaned" to Klaw & Erlanger
for their production by Charles Frohmsn
and William A. Brady, the former hand
ing over eleven, including Nat Goodwin
and Lyn Harding. while the latter mag
nanimity embraced eight, among the
number being Constance Collier and
Howard Gould. From among these are
filed the parts Of Pagan, Bill Skies,
Nancy, and Moncks, so that about the
only important role left for Klaw &
Erlanger TO provide for is that Of Oliver
Twist himself. and this is Accomplished
by little Miss Doro. Such an eventually
IS as significant, almost as the reunion
Of Weber and Fields, and a little more
OF such cooperation would prove a bene-
ut for both producer and public.
"OIiver Twist"
Dickens students have often wondered
that he did not call the story "k'agin.''
For l 2Ean stands oCt as a haunter of
the memory long after little Oliver has
lost his sympathetic appeal Fagin is
no less prominent in the play, or rather
J. Comyns Csrr's dramatization Of the
book, which is being presented at the
New Amsterdam in honor OF the CEN
tenary of the authors birth.
Nat Goodwin-he Of the many mar
riageS-rnakes a wonderful Fagin. II Il
shall ever forget the revolving meanness
OF Nat Goodwin's Fagin. ! expect shall
forget practically everything else along
with IL. Even surrounded by a galaxy
OF unusual characterizations. such as
Marie Doro's Oliver Twist, Constance
Golfers Nancy, Lyn Harding's Bill Skies.
Howard Goulds Monks. and Alfred
Gray's Barney, the horrifying character
portrayed by Goodwin permeates the
whole piece aud leaves specter that
turks within The remembrance. The
blend Of cruelty and whimsical hur2or.
the sharpness and crafr-ness. and again
the unrelenting vengefulness OF tie old
man are superbly shown By the actor, ]
who fulfills the general idea OF what
the agure ought to be.
The story as presented in this dramati- |
zation is one more Of horror than Of |
rathos, rs Dickens had intended. but Il 1
cannot be said by any manner Of means |
10 tell short ot the novel in strength |
and dramatic interest. One Of the cap- /
llal virtues OF the production is the |
splendid stage effects. Even the scene
OF the burglary-the only weak place in |
the novel-is made striking and the !
scene showing the arches of London /
bridge is distinct accomplishment COM
pairing with anything that has been seen
in New York in years
There Is no telling now long oliver
Twist will stay in the metropolis be-
Tore taking the road. Ii is such a time
since Dickens play has been shown
here that the accumulated demand for
il is likely 10 last for a good many weeks.
Any way, II is doubtful whether such
a collection of high salaried stars could
he carried around the country without
the promoters suffering q financial set
back. But IL only Nat Goodwin Is taken
along. though the rest of the cast be made
up OF mediocre talent, a successful tour
should result GoOdwIn's f'agin is worth
walking miles to see.
Lady Patricia"
Portraying the part of a part-portrayar,
Mrs. Fiske dces some unique acting IN
Lady Patricia" 1T the Empire. LADY
fatr'ela Cosway is supposed to be exotic.
cupertcialiy sentimental. ebullient, exag-
lttnE. affected. She Is supposed to
y-act with young BilI oFArreIl 70