The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-04-28
AT THE THEATERS LAST NIGHT
BELASCO.
ssPeE o, NY Heart"

reg a MY heart.
Nothing could be more appreciated
than that ]. Hartley Manners dainty TO
nance Peg o. My Heart should return
to US at this season since IL is the very
Quintessence Of youth and love-a clean
sweet comedy breathing all the fragrance
OF the springtime.
Not that one must have the cherry
blossom time in order to appreciate a
tender tale. for Peg" has been steadily
winning human hearts through al
seasons ever since she first made her
appearance in Rochester, n. Y, more
than two years ago in the person OF
Miss Laurette Taylor, who has had an
unprecedented success in her creation OF
the Irish-ATnerican girl whom she is still
presenting TO crowded houses at the Cort
Theater In New York City after a second
uninterrupted season.
That the piece, which was written for
Miss Taylor, is not dependent upon her
personality for its success has been
amply proven by the reception accorded
several other companies presenting the
comedy throughout the country under the
direction of Oliver Morosco, particularly
that which was seen here at the Belasco
Theater the first week of November,
headed by Miss Elsa Ryan, and which is
now playing a return engagement In the
same playhouse with no dIminishment
OF enthusiasm on the part Of the audi
ence
The tremendous success which has
been achieved by Peg o. My Heart"
may be credited to the fact that its
heroine is a genuine and impulsive girl
and that the story has to do with the
love that makes her life a beautiful
thing in a beautiful world-the old, old
story touched with a new tenderness and
a new faith, set in an environment which
serves to betray many of the foibles and
follies of human nature
An aristocratic English woman COM
mits the indiscretion of marrying an
Irish socialist. In toll for the bright
young life OF Peg God takes the mothers
spirit unto Himself. and the little daugh-
ter learns that happiness is a thing Of
the heart and mind. and not of circum-
stance. from the whole-hearted Irish
father whose faith in her is returned with
beautiful loyalty and answering devo-
ton, even when ii SO happens that. in
obedience to her relenting rich uncle's
will, she goes to live under the Chiches-
ter roof. and to endure the Chichester
chapronage in the artificial atmosphere
where her refreshing frankness and in
domitable Irish spirit involve her in a
mesh OF MISUNDERSTANDING and troubles
until her Prince Charming eNtricates her
from her unhappiness.
Through the entire comedy Miss Elsa
Ryan is a most bewitchinE little creature
extracting every ounce of humOr from
the situation in which Peg finds her
self. and giving II generously to her au-
dience, making the pathos and the ten
dcrness stand out with an equal dis
tinctness. She is captivating alike in her
i-repressible fun and her moments of
home-sick yeaTning for her father and
the fine qualities of heart for which
he stands An Irresistible picture is the
loyal little alien from the moment she
makes her first entrance with her dog
tucked under her arm 10 the final cur |
tain. when the st9rm-clouds of her un- |
happiness are chased away by the sun |
shine of love and she stands answering !
"Jerrys" inquiry concerning what her |
father will say with:
Oh. there's nothing half 50 sweet in life
As Loyes young dream.
And the audience signs acquiescence
Nor does anybody in the world blame /
Peg for falling in love with Jerry.
not Just beCaUsc he is the Que genuine /
piece Of human flesh she meets in the |
Chichester house. for Henry Stanfords |
portrayal Of the role is quite sufficient TO
win more hardened hearts than Pegs"
He is good TO look upon. sincere. and !
natural in his characterization. and has
heart-strinCs at once-and never lets
them go.
OF the excellent cast supporting Miss
Ryan and Mr. Stanford here last fall
Mrs Fannie Addison Pitt still contrib
utes her fine bit of character work IN
the role of the snobbish aunt; Gilbert
DOUGLAS is seen as the son; Lewis
Eroughton plays the william; Frank Bur-
beck the solicitor. Miss Vida Moore the
maid. while. Miss Dorothy Hammond has
taken tie place of Miss Lillian Keller in
the role Of Ethel and Roy COchrane that
Of Gordon Burby as the fOotman.
But Michael. the dog who, as Peg
naively puts the matter. mo one could
ever take for anything but a dog" is
as =rotesqUe in appearance. and as &C
romIished an actor as ever. seeming TO
possess almost human intelligence.
1t is a quaint and bewitching little
play-is Peg O. My Heart" gaining yet
more of ones affections when seen the
second time.
JULIA CHANDLER MANI.