Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-12
Lord and Lady Algy' in VIM.
Faversham-Maxine Elliott
Revival Bright Entire
tainment
CAST Is EXCEPTIONAL

The cptgrams men write. especially IN
comedie-dc-socictc, seldom live after
them. The wit and humor peak and
pine In the ohlivescnncc Of the social
ana theatrical--scasou \ good deal o.
the wit Of Shakespeare. Molicrc, Gold
smith and sheridan has lost its keen
edge and sharp point under the hlantins
influence of time, If you want to know
the low-brow truth Even FOR high
brows tho Textbooks have to supply
t"otnotc" to set up sign posts: Look.
listen and laugh"
The late H. e. Carton was not one
o. the master playw right. of humor and
satire. But that he had a talent more
than paSsingly contcmpuraucous IN its
surely Of registering hits IS proved by
'h' r"vival Of his djvcrtiug and human
aS wen as technically proficient com dv.
lord aud Lady Algy." with an all"star
cast, including Maxine Elliott lro1C
fchWicN, William Favoranam and Mach-
l!il Arbnchle. To this roster should Ne
added. for merit, the name of that capi-
tal comedian. Lumsden Hare, with .n
addehdum that the supporting players
We're wen chosen and cNCeptionalle
within the piyturc.
MI raN'rsham played the title role
IN the original American production bv
tharlcS Frohman's Empire Theatre
company in 1899. with the admirable
Jessie Millward as his wayward whim.
S'c"I spouse. He repeated his fine inn
perSonarou in a revival with IIlda
Spong as the sporting noblcwoman and
good sport. Shelvcd for q decade and 4
halt the play has not grown tarnished
and Shclf-worn. but retained its bright.
ness of line and brllianCy Cf situation
to sparkle before the fOotlighS in the
present production. Highly polished in
its first fabrication. it has not needed
much shining up to show by its lutre
that 1t is sterling of It's kind and not
merely plated. II has been rubbed a
bit with some mCtSern fuller's earth
There are eXtrinSic alluSions to the war
motors, taXis, picture shows and sub
ways Ga false note in a London environ
ment. where "oIbe" Is the proper term)
But none of these affects or impair tile
wit and humor---thesc flash cut of :he
original lines and situations Mr. Carton
devised. Both comedy and east di-
verted a large audience an6 won ar
ovation for the players at the end Of
the first act Much depends on the
adroitness and address Of the actors
IN pieces of this type. and they absolred
themselves faclely and in food taste of
their responsibilities to invest proceed
ings with the light and bright amenities
of the occasion and the inspiration.
MIR. Faycrsham carries his theatrical
youthfulncss as well as Miss Elliott car
ries hers and her perennial beauty. His
gentlemanly inebriation in the ball scene
was a Nirtuoso perfc rmaucn, his lightly
al, IA sNF o.. /.
good mining. The quality OF hei
acting now has both breadth ana depth
She is still "A stage beauty, but not
"stape beautv." Miss Fenwick was
fawn-like an6 dawn-like in her prettiIS
sentimental role and Miss Arnold was
"of a drollery" in aspect, attitude ano
address. Mr. Arbuckle had another Ia
mart. even his RACES were unctucuS.
Here is a high comedy that ol"ster'
| will hasten to rcwitness ana one ul'
Younger generation ought to see.
w. Il. NJ.