The Washington herald., 1913-09-09
COLUMBIA.


Al n. Wilson In "a Rolling StOur.''
According TO a hve-year precedent the
Columbia Theater management inaugu-
rated the regular theatrical season of
the F Street playhouse last night with
D. Al Wilson, the only departure from the
customary program being made by Mr..
Wilson himself. who this year appears,
under the management of Louis B.
Mayer. and Ben Stern. in "A Rolling
stone new drama from the pen Of
Herbert Hall winslow, into which the
German comedian has. as usual. inject
ed several tuneful ditties OF his own
making.
Mr. Wilson. who has been known from
coast to coast as a German comedian
since he. made his first appearance in
The Watch on the Rhine" was not born
TO the Metz Won Klatz line Of character
:zatiOn. having become an interpreter of
the cultural tongue quite by accident A
versatile stock actor noted for his negro,
Irish. and Hebrew characteriZations, Mr..
Wilson one day essayed a short German
role in addition to the character for
which he was cast, the result of which is
the Al Il. Wilson OF today, whose gift
of comedy. consistency of dialect, and
melOdieus voice has won him a large
clientele
In his new vehicle he does not de-
part from the familiar German char
acteriZatiOn. Franz Won HOfmeister, the
Manhattan driving master differing in no
essential detail OF character from the
Metz Won Hlatz hero of 1T Happened
in Potsdam." in which Mr.. Wilson made
his last appearance here under the man
aEement of Sidney r. Ellis
a Rolling Stone" is aptly programmed
song play which may furnish suf-
rcient excuse for the improbable plot
which serves TO give the popular come
dian a chance to sing. and this time even
to introduce a chorus which smacks of
the boisterous type of musical comedy.
The first curtain reveals a village
street along the Hudson River, upon one
side of which is the Inn Of the Van Rip
3CTs-fatheT. mother. and small daughter
while church stands ready on the
other side for the marriage de COnven-
IcnCe to which Franz Won HOfmeister
agrees for the sake OF reScuing ISabei
Langley from the control of one Horace
Clifford. typical dime novel guardian.
who mas designs upon the young lady ;
person foe his son. Robert. and her for
tune for himself
Just when the pretty hCiresS is be-
moaning the tangled web which her
guardian and his son seem weaving
sbuut her the generous German appears
upon the scene. and. presto, the mar
"iLSe Is arranged by the Sir with the
understanding that Won Hofmeister. once
husband. shall betakc himself to parts
unknown. never to appear again along
Miss Lansley's Efe path as long as they
both shall live
But things didn't run so smoothly as
the girl supposed they would. for willy
uncle and scoundrel son lay every snrt
uf scheme for her capture even to that
"f hiring. Rcetlc Tobey wandering |
gypsy with a Punch and Judy show. and !
his daughter JessiCa, to tell the bride J
.alse tales. the effects of which failing |
to accomplish the desired end, the con- !
sDlrators take DIR. Harrington into their |
confidence. and together they plot to |
zap the young wife Of few hours into |
an insane asylum.
Won Hofmeister. who is a count in !
ccEniio. illustrates all their plans: wins |
'h, love Of his accidental wife. ard sings |
his way merrily back to Germany to
which country he has been recalled tOl
fortune and title ny his father.
n Rolling Stone" Is a melodrama with /
? multitude OF frankly forced situations !
huJ whaf matters the play when one Is :
IA sdm;r,r OF Al Wilson? I
Fis dialect has lost nothing of its g
rzilhrulncss. and his new songs, Rag
Of Life" My Little Climbing Rose.
w, Are as Far Apart as the Worll I
J. Wide and his Riding song are .
Of just the sort with which we are ac-
,us:oTcd (" associate Mr.. Wilson.
Supp"rjiu= the comedian are Laura
I."mmerS ,nlrs. Al WILSON,. Isabel
Langley. iZzie Wilson. as Mrs. Van
Ripper. The German landlady: Harry
D~iscoIe - Horace Clifford. the insult
"rahIe guardian: Leo Lindhard, his
cuuaIIy dSrrputable son Robert: Leo
,oouei. as Beetle TObey: Harry West.
rs Hans Van Ripper: William Culling-
tom. rs Dr. Harrington: LeonOre Nc
DUnough. as Jcssica TObey, the gypsy
.,irl: Jeannctte Dix. as Tiny Van Rip (
uyr. aud SIX attractive misses, who
form the chorus of the first and last
cts or tine piece.
In Mr.. Wilson's supporting company
he German characterize tiOns offered /
10y his sister Lizzie Wilson. and by
Harry West are specially deserving of -
u word Of favorable comment.
For the rest. Mr.. Wilson is the
whole shOw-piay. story, and songs.
Wilson: that's all
J g. MANI.