The Washington herald., 1919-06-09
'k-Garriek Players In sNot
Ing But the TRUTH
By EARLE nnRauY

70 Wnicn future Washington stock
companies must measure up. The
Garrick Players began their second
week last night with Nothing But
the Truth, the farce vehicle which
proved such a bowling success in
the hands OF William Collier. While
IT might not be fair to say that the
Garrick audience howled at last
nights rendition, It showed its ap-
probation by periods of prolonged
applause which brought Earle Foxe
before the curtain for little
speech and almost brought OUT
Eileen Wilson. the ingenue, for the
same purpose.
One really finds it's hard TO define
what makes that girl SO appealing.
OF course. she had a plethoric part
in last weeks vehicle, "Up-Stairs
and Down." but The part assigned
her in Nothing But the Truth" Is
not a part that an actress would or
dinarily sigh over. II her part was
a handicap to acting prominence,
Miss Wilson didn't let the handicap
become apparent and when the hits
of the evening were tailed up, Miss
Eileen Wilson hand ranged up next
to Mr.. Foxe in point OF Individual
performance
Nothing But the Truth" is the
story Of a young man whose prin-
ciples worried him. A disciple of
the theory that absolute truth is an
asset in business. he bets $4,000 en-
trusted to him by his sweetheart as
an investment. that he can tell the
absolute truth for twenty-four
hours One needs only to recall the
triumphant success that Colfiee
scored in the same play to gain an
idea of the farce possibilities of
the theme.
Earle Foxe, who essayed the prfn-
cipal role. displayed an ability to
interpret comedy with an ease
which was much more pronounced
than his performance of last week.
Mr.. Foxe has done a great deal OF
cinema work and~h really exceIs
at paptomime. This pantomirhic ex-
ceilence was given full sway in
Nothing But the Truth" which is
replete with pauses and periods
where the action might we'll be
destroyed by a too liberal use or
words.
Laura Walker. the leading woman,
gave a good solid performance. She
was not cast in a role which called
for any particular brilliance Of act
ing. and she wisely kept within the
limits Of the part. James Dyrenforth,
in the role Of one who had bet that
man couldn't tell the truth, also
appeared to more advantage than in
his appearance IN the first Garrick
piece. Edward Robinson. in q similar
role. seemed able to extract the last
least bit of essence from his lines
Edward Mackaye, as the business
partner of the truth-teller, seemed
10 stumble here and there. Mr.. Mack
aye Is A capable actor, but we have
an idea that the requirements of
stock, with its swift changes from
character to character, impose a great
handicap upon him. Warner Rich
mond. though manifcstly never in
tended by nature to play the role of
bishop. laid aside his natural viril-
ity long enough to bring authenticity
to role that was probably difficult.
Beatrice Moreland. who was cast In
the role of a scandalized wife, wore
shoes which manifestly are rarely
worn in the homes of the idle rich.
Others who deserve good mention are
Rose Macdonald, Mary Newcombe
and Frank Peck.
One of the distinctly welcome inno-
vations installed at the Garrick un-
der the stock management is a regu-
lar dance orchestra that will soon be
earning oetwecn-the-acts applause If
It Keeps up its speed of last night.
Polfs-"WhiIe You Walt.
Cool electric breezes and calorous
witticisms make the temperature
nearly right at Polls this week.
where while You Wait" is play-
ing. The one disquieting feature of
this girl-song- Joke show is that the
authors seem to have a real sure
enough. original idea which they
trail through three acts with some
ardor. This thought germ and the
kewpie eyes and Foyisms of Winnie
Lelghtner are the pegs upon which
hangs the productions hope of sue
cess.
When the drop goes up upon a wild
dlsarray of scenery. fire buckets.
property man and manager, it is
explained to the audience that the
performers have failed to show I'D.
So. perforce. a new cast is selected
from the audience. while the author
and his trusty typewriter pound
forth an internal triangle play in
the record of Messrs. Bolton and
Wodehouse and Georgie Cohan,
Then tne stage manager decides TO
add a chorus and have a musical
comedy. The ushers are impressed
as show girls and there you are.
After this development, the plot is
submerged in a tide of white shoul-
ders, chiffon and vaudeville stunts.
1t comes up two or three times and
finally is tossed a life preserver in
the last act. when the author is
permitted to behold his man
handled masterpiece in the clutches
of "burlicue." and to sing a swan
song anent the mistreatme mt of his
brain offspring.
Winnie Leightner's cherry Nps.
black eyes and Dixie devilt.v are
the very best reason for the shows
existence. Her burlesque of Carmen
is practically the only new stunt
she does and there isn't enough O:
that. The balance of the company
d" very crediiLble work. with lydia
Dickson taking first honors on the
impersonation of a lady's maid of
ingenious expression and orcyari-
eatinL genius.
Just at present, the production Ia
bors under a handicap of jerkiness.
The members OF the chorus are. to
an individual. graced with that beaute
du diable which is the prerogative Of
youth and are charmingly costumed
Two or three of the sets are distinctly
good looking. but suffer from careless
lighting. The music-well. its mention
has purposely been postponed because