The Washington herald., 1913-06-03
COLUMBIA.
Lovers Lane"

Another of the comedies of the late
Clyde Fitch is the offering at the Co
lumbia TheateF this week by the Column
bia Players-'Lovers' ane"-which wor
more than its share of approval from
the capacity audience. With perhaps ar
atmosphere Of the charm of The Old
Homestead" the dramatic force Of Way
Down East and the comic characters
cations of "All on Account of Eliza,
this pastoral dramatic effort Of the versa.
tile Clyde Fitch may be said to be one
of the most delightful presentations OF
The Columbia Company so far this sea
son, judging by its marked effect and
appreciation Of last night.
'Iovers' Lane IL a play that shows
a decided departure from Mr.. Fitch's &C
cepted style Of playmaking. In the plact
of cracking with smart dialogue, Il
presents the homely sayings of the vii
lage-the New England village-the pre-
cepts CT the country parson and the
simplicity OF country-bred children
Lovers Lane" tells the story of a min.
listers wooing-a wooing so gradual that
even he himself is almost unconscious
OF IL.
Rev. Thomas Singleton has devoted his
life to the upbuildfng of the village
church. housing the homeless. and car
ing for the orphans and the village poor.
His ideas regarding the absence OF a
lake OF fire and birthstone from the here
after, his advocacy of innocent amuse-
ment for the young people OF the town,
and his friendship for a divorce" dis
please his congregation, and ne tenders
his resignation rather than promise to
follow the path they have laid out FOR
him.
A new element enters into his life at
This period in the nf n o
woman, who seeks his aid in uniting her
TO an unworthy fellow, who is striving
to reform. The minister seeks to bring
about the union, although the young
woman strangely interests him. What
really happens after a series of ro-
mantle incidents is told to the tune of
wedding bells. the members of his con-
gregation finally approaching his good
and earnest endeavors to lift them from
the narrowness of their surroundings
Mr.. A. H. Van Buren, makes a dis
unctly effective picture of the minister.
the Rev. Thomas Singleton. and his dig
nified rendition is a homely little tri-
umph that won much favor with the
audience. Miss Helen Holmes grasps the
delicate features Of the portrayal of Mary
Larkin. young innocent art student,
and with extreme nicely unfolds the
complexities OF this character
1t remains for Dorothy Bernard in an
unique Characterization of Simplicity
Johnson, the off-cast from the orphan
asylum. to furnish a most interesting
and entirely natural PRESERVATION of her
sympathetic role, which Immediately
captivated her auditors. George w
Barber. as Uncle Billy. and Frances
Nounge. as Aunt Melissa, are involved in
many comic situations.
Everett Butterfield's Mr.. Shilling,
Manager of the Opery House." is promi-
nent in its marked cleverness and is
really a strong addition to the success
of the comedy. Miss Marie Drofnah is
happily cast as Miss Matty, the minis
ter's housekeeper. Willard Robertson is
dramatically effective as Herbert Wood
bridge especially in the scene with his
son. Jessie GIendinning gives a sympa-
thetic rendition of an unhappy wife
Splendid support is contributed by John
NJ. Kline. Carrie Thatcher. Peggy Ford,
Master Donald BeIlman, Stanley James.
and Pearl Dayhoff.
The scenic effects are beautiful es-
pecially in the last two acts, which
discloses an apple orchard at harvest
time. and later the same orchard in the
bud and blossom of spring. The stage
full of children in the second act is one
Of the features.