The Washington herald., 1914-11-01


the drama itself is OF mediocre quality
and dependent upon a certain type OF
man or woman to make IL convincing.
Ordinarily IL is not difficult to find q
score or more of actors and actresses
who are as capable as those who create
the roles of a play in the original, and
il is only common sense to suppose that
a producer is going to send his New YORK
success to other cities with company
and production that will stand compari-
sion with the original, for the second
company is invariably scrutinized by the
critical eye, which is only too ready to
note and resent inferiority. For this very
reason the public is very sure to be
quickly told when a New York manager
has been so foolhardy as to make an ef-
fort to pan on an unworthy presentation
of any play en- tour, as a consequence OF
which the theatergoer is assured the
protection of foreknowledge II he fol
lows theatrical news and criticism with
any degree Of regularity.
Washington has less cause for COM
plant against second companies than
almost any other city, for We usually get
the New York productions, II not intact,
at least with but few changes. and those
we'll and wisely made. In addition to
this we have the honor to see many
premieres in which the very cream of
histrionism is utilized, for the COM
panies which open in a new play in this
city go into New York with few changes,
and consist of players who are expected
by the producer to attract substantial
audiences in New ork for long run.
Substantiating the above comment
comes a new play to the Columbia The
ater tomorrow night, engaging the serv-
ices of a cast of players Of no mean
ability. The new drama, which will have
it's first appearance on any stage here
this week, is by Harvey O'Higgins and
Harriet Ford, having the startling title Of
"Polygamy."
Mr.. O'Higgins. who has already col
laborated with Miss Ford in two notable
successes-"The Dummy and THE
Argyle Case"-is primarily a writer Of
nov-Is, magazine stories, and more seri-
Gus books on social questions Of the day.
He has a deal of Irish humor, love for
humanity, and a firm faith in public
conscience. One of his tales helped to
settle a railroad strikes another served
as a campaign document; third won
5000 as the best American short story"
fourth became a very popular play.
C'The Dummy.'D
Quoting from the New York Sum:
Washington Irving was the first his
Photographer of New York; then came
o. Henry; and now there IS Harvey
O'Higgins, the man who writes Irish
stories.''
But Mr.. O'Higgins Is more than the
prose laureate of Erie-for he is the man
who wrote ''The Beast and the Jungle"
with Judge Lindsey, and the exposure of
Mormon conditions, with former Sena-
tor Frank ]. Cannon.
Miss Ford, who is co-author with Mr..
O'Higgins of ''Polygamy," has seven
plays to her credit, including '"The Dun-
N.Y. The Argyle Case" THE Fourth
Estate "A Gentlepan of France" "A
Little Brother of the Rich" Audrey"
and her first piece, THE Greatest Thing
in the World"
Coming from two such serious writers
as Miss Ford and Mr.. O'Higgins, It seems
a safe bet that Cwhatever we may think |
of the suitability of discussing the prob
lem which is the basic idea of the new
play on the stage) the subject will be |
handled with earnestness and straight
forward frankness, and also that the
derstanding and sympathy, for the lead
ing part will be in the hands OF Chrys- |
tai Herne, whom we last saw here at the |
Belasco Theater when "At Bay" was
given its initial presentation.
Miss Herne is one of the four children
Of the late James A. Herne, the play
wright. One of her earlier successes vas
achieved in the revival of her fathers
famous play Margaret Fleming" and
she has created important roles in a
number Of big productions.
Playing the leading male role in |
''Polygamy'' will be William Mack, who |
has been extensively featured in Fiske !
productions. and who established an sn-l