The Washington herald., 1913-08-05
COLUMBIA.
"a Social Hi.hwayma.."

"A Social Highwayman." written by
Elizabeth Phipps Train and dramatised
by Mary Stone. was the play presented
by the Columbia Players last night. II
was undoubtedly one Of the best produce
lions staged by the company this season.
Its story giving opportunity for excellent
acting and beautiful stage settings. which
was taken advantage Of by both players
and management No better piece OF
playing than that given b. Stanley
James and Carl Anthony, who shared the
leading honors. has been witnessed by
partons Of summer stock. Not since his
success In the role Of the butler. the
leading part In THE House Of . Thou.
sand Candles" has Stanley James been
given such an opportunity OF showing
his ability as q character actor. His
work last night only deepened the be-
lief that he Is without . peer in this
realm. common thief. who has been
befriended by clever but dangerous
social parasite. he becomes . living ex-
ample of that old adage, There 10 honor
among thieves" Calm and imperturba-
BILE, even under the greatest pres
sure, eager and willing to sacrifice his
life for the maintenance Of the honor and
integrity his master falsely commands
in his social circle. his self-composure
is completely lost at the tragic death Of
Courtice Jaffrey. 1t Is to be regretted
that Stanley James IL not more often
given the opportunity Of showing his re-
markable ability In such exacting parts.
Carl Anthony. as Courtice Jaffrey, the
Social Highwayman." performed with
rare judgment and feeling. creating In
his role a man who lacks respect 70:
other peoples property. and who imposes
upon his friends SO far as to steal from
them. to satiate his desire for a life of
luxury and ease. So realistic isShis char
acterization that We wonder whether We
are not actually beholding a man in real
bfe OF such type. As the modern club
man. lover Of sports. charmer Of womei..
and cleverest of thieves, his versatility is
given every possible range Of play. and
his excellent work was vociferously a.
plauded. His force, verility. and strength
seem to emanate from the character he
Is portraying and reach across the fo"t.
lights. grinding his listeners with an ir-
resistible power. compelling them to pay
attention to every word spoken. Mag
netic In personality, and charming In
manner. the Columbia Players are to be
congratulated upon having such a Gu
pable man for their leader. Willard Fob
ertson as Carolus Despard. Arthur
Ritchie as Gordon Key. John Kline as
Livingstone Remsen, John Ellis as George
Partlett. and Everett Butterfield as Mer-
ton Harley. the poor chap upon whom
the stigma OF suspicion falls. carry out
their parts in an admirable way. Miss
Helen Holmes as Eleanor Durham. fer
love Of whom Jaffrey reforms. won more
admiration by the sweet and charming
manner Of her acting. Miss Carrie
Thatcher as the Sonora Leila Capriccs.
the woman in the case" ably portrayed
the difficult role and performed in an
impressive way the character Of the
foiled schemer. Miss Jessie GlendinpirS
as the Duchess Of Clayborough. Miss
Cyra Florence as Mrs. Munyon Pyle.
Miss Bessie Maxwell as Dora lie Fargo.
skillfully supported the principals. M,ss
Marie Drofnah as Mrs. Deane. the
medium. gave an ingenious performance.
and the scene in which the seancs was
held was startling In it, revelations. As
a complete init, the play was perfection,
and this only could have been attained
through successful delineation OF their
respective parts by the members Of the
company.