The Washington herald., 1913-02-04
THE COLUMBIA.
,.rhe Fa.cinatins widow,

| There's no use talking. fellows; she's a
peacherino! The somewhat slangy ejac-
| nlation was fully justified when Julian
Eltinge fiirted upon the stage as THE
Fascinating Widow" In the play of that
title at the Columbia Theater last night.
The transformation from manly. young
Hal Blake, with whom We are made ac-
quainted in the first scene. to the DASH
ing Mrs. Monte. in the next, is simply
amazing, and admiration increases with
each succeeding change until II reaches
the climax in the Oriental dance. There
have been clever impersonators of wom-
en- before the public from time to time,
but it cannot be questioned that Julian
Eltinge is the cleverest of them all.
Not a flaw, not an inconsistency can
be discovered either in makeup. express
sion or carriage. Whether in the ele-
CANT walking gown in which he makes
his entree as Mrs. Monte or in the superb
evening robe: whether IN lingerie eN-
hibit in the boys dressing room. or in
the gorgeous Oriental costume. or in the
bridal gown. which is the final disguise,
he is the perfect lady.
What is more, his decollctteness might
well be the envy of many n woman.
for there is plumpness OF form, deIIcacy
OF TENT, and all the rest OF II. Every
toilette is characterized by marvellous
exacting critic OF feminine adornment
could find no fault with the jewels.
It is not surprising. therefore. II all
the girls declare Mrs. Monte to be a
darling. and that all the boys whose
sweethearts she fondles and hugs and
kisses are in a constant state OF rage and
perturbation. The illusion Is perfect and
made all the more SO when the boyish
spirit OF Hal Blake occasionally asserts
e@.1E
posed restraint OF the pseudo-woman.
Withal Eltinge's cleverness is not mani
tested in mere externals. Not only does
he act well, but he sings acceptably and
dances gracefully, the latter accomplish
ment finding its most elaborate express
sion in the Oriental dance.
Eltinge is fortunate in being surround
ed by remarkably capable company.
The female contingent is comely and
every role is well taken. Belle Adair is
very charming as Margaret LeffingweIl.
Halls sweetheart, to win whom away
from the other fellow he assumes his
disguise. She has quite a pretty voice
and made hit with her song. "AH the
World Loves a Lover" Louise Orth as
Ivy Tracy, and June Mathis as Tessie
Danforth are fitting companion pieces,
and the formers duet with Edward
Garvle. Something 1 Can't Explain"
was fit beginning OF the lyric features
Of the performance. Carrie r. Perkins
was decidedly good as Mrs. LcffingweIl
The generous proportions with which
nature has endowed her were striking
ly exhibited in a becoming bathing cos
tune. Charles W. Butler has his old
part of Rev. Wilbur Watts. and is as
grotesquely funny as evef, while James
+. Sullivan is as absurd a detective as
can be found in such circumstances.
Edward Garvie, as the rotund college
trainer, Langton Wells, furnishes ample
but il is just possible that
he would he even more effective II he
were just a little bit less noisy. James
SpottswoOd. as Tuthill LeffinCwcll. his
mothers joy. and everybody else's
laughing stock. and Gilbert Douglas,
as Oswald Wentworth. a sophomore,
complete the effective cast.
The play is splendidly mounted and
the ladies' costumes generally harmon
ize in richness with those of the star.