The Washington times., 1921-02-20
on Comes to BeIasco-Naona Will Lave George Whites scandals
Collier ShOgUs
.M"HoHentOt'|
At National

william Collier, who ranks as
Americas foremost fsrceur, comes 10
the National TheAter tonight for q
weeks engagement under the man
asement OF Sam III. Harris In The
Hottentot." q farce by Victor MApes
and Mr.. Collier himself.
This latest starring vehicle OF Mr..
Golfers IL proving one OF the great
est successes OF his career. The New
Workers enjoyed y to such an sx-
tent last season that the play ran
until hot weather. This season Mr.
Collier has duplicated his New York
success In both Boston and Chicago.
The Hottentot" gets It's name from
a horse which 10 owned by the charm
ing Peggy Fairfax. Peggy is wild
about racing, ard about horses, and
when she meets Sam Harrington,
played by Mr.. Collier, she mistakes
him for famous steepiechaser by the
same name.
AS Sam has fallen In love with
Peggy at first sight. and does not
wish TO lower himself In her esteem
he let's her case OF mistaken Identity
stand. although in reality he is very
much afraid OF horses because of q
terrible experience early in life.
As the play progresses the sltua-
tions become more and more complex
and laughter reigns supreme. The
dialogue of the play is clever. and
fairly sparkles with witticinns,
especially mirth- provoking when de-
livered in Mr.. Golfers inimitabls
manner.
The company supporting Mr.. Collier
IL a most capable one and includes
Donald Meek. Calvin Thomas. Fred
eric Karr. Arthur Howard. Edwin
| Taylor, Howard Hull Gibson, Eliza
beth Moffat. Helen Audiffred and Mil
dred Hill.
There will be a special matinee on
TUESDAY,. Washington's birthday.
The large salary OF $3.50 a week.
and $50 extra for handling the
baggage. proved too tempting an Of
fer for ten-year-old While Collier
To do this he ran away from school
and managed to elude his parents
for several weeks while he trouped,
with Haverly's Juvenile Pinafore
Company. Finally he was captured
and returned Ito school. a much
chastened and much chatised boy.
The lure OF the stage finally led
him to get a position as call boy at
Days Theater, New York, and for
six years he divided his time be-
tween the duties of call boy and
playing small parts. His first real
opportunity came when he was cast
| for a role in a classic drama and
without speaking a line he made such
a good impression that John Russell
promptly corralled him for play
called The City Directory"
Young Collier made such a hit in
| the various roles assigned to him
that he soon found himself playing
leads. Subsequently, he appeared in
"Hoss and Hoss." "A Back Number"
Little Christopher" Miss Philadel-
phia." my Friend from India" The
Man from Mexico" and a notable re-
vival of The Rivals"
1t was not until 1901 that Mr.. Col
lier became a star, appearing in "On
the Quiet" which ran for two sea-
sons. Then Weber and Fields re-
tained him for their New York Music
Hall in which a great aggregation
OF stars appeared including Lillian
Russell, David Warfield anu the late
Peter Daley. Later he took 'On the
Quiet where both he and the play
scored success.
In the spring of 1906 he sailed with
his own company for Australia after
an exciting experience in the San
Francisco earthquake. He came back
the next year and starred in one OF
the greatest hits Of his career,
Caught in the Rain" Of which he
was the author.
Since then he has appeared in the
following plays. some of which he
wrote, or was co-author: Never Say
Die" "I'll Be Hanged If l Do" "A
Little Water on the Side,' Take Ny
Advice" "Hello Broadway" Nothing
But the TRUTH" THE Dictator" and
Nothing But Lies'