The New York herald., 1921-02-20
Adams. Barrymore. Gillette,
Tempest and Now Miss
Ruth Chattcrton.

When a player is intrusted with his
or her first j. NJ. Barrie role the follow
ing of the little Scotchman gathers Itself
together. and there is much wagglng Of
heads, lengthy discussions concerning
the previous performances OF the player.
performances in which elements ap-
Ieared fitting the layer, or rendering
him ineligible, for the test OF Barrie
role. And before this tribunal the player
must pass, conscious that to him or her
has been allotted the labor OF meeting
the widely differing views OF the thou
sands Of Barrieites the big--almost inn
possible--feat Of pleasing them a'
The latest instance Of breaking into a
Barrie role !s that OF Miss Ruth Chat
terton. the heroine OF Borrie's Mary
Rose" ri the Empire Her performance
In play that has aroused. perhaps.
more discussion than any earlier work
Of the playwright would seem 70 have
placed her securely in the esteem OF the
judges. and che has been acceraed as a
new and satisfying Barrie player here
in America.
Miss Chstterton came to the role from
n succession Of drawing room" char
acters and saccharine schoolgirl parts,
beloved Of Prep schoolgirls, and sub
debs. and save for roles OF more serious
import during an earlier training with
numerous stock companies before she
became known to New York. she had
been intrusted with no portrayals call
ing for any great depth or weighty
preparation. Her acceptance By the Bar
rle clan, therefore. is gratifying to he-
friends and admirers.
When Miss Maude Adams essayed
her first Barrie role that OF Lady
Babbie In Tho Little Minister" at the
Empire in October OF 1897. she came
20 It prepared splendidly by a long
term with the Empire Theatre Stock
Company and a later service as lead
Ing woman with John Drew.
William Gillette's first Barrie char
acteT was that or the title role in THE
Lyceum Theatre In March. 190i. This
Barrie portrayal followed his success
in plays OF his own construction, no
tably Secret Service" and Sherlock
Holmes"
Miss Ethel Barrvmore's success in
her first part from the Scotchman's
hand occurred memorably at the Cri-
terion Theatre in December, 1906 when
she acted "Alice-Slt-hy-the- Fire" The
latter performance takes on additional
interest when II Is recalled that John
Barrymore appeared IN this cast with
his sister. while curtain raiser was
Bnrrie's "Pantaioon." in which John
Barrymore was c1oicr and Lionel Bar
rymoro the Pdrtnioon. The one act
play. as well. marked the first and only
performance or Barrie role by Lionel
Barrymore.
In January OF 1912. at the Empire
Theatre. Ethel and John BARRYMORE
again srveared together in n Barrie
sketch "a Slice Of Life" the three
characters Of the playlet. described by
tho author as IAN advanced drama"
being interpreted by the two Barry
rnores and Hattie Williams.
At the Lvceum. IN September OF 1915.
Miss Marie Tempest essayed her first
Barrie role, the title part IN "Rosalind,"
the short play composing half of
double bill. the longer play being re-
vlval Of THE Duke OF Killlcrankie."
An excellent delineator Of middle
aged Barrie characters is Winifred
Fraser. who IL the mother. AIRS. More
land. In MARY Rose" She was a
mother. as well. at the Empire a few
seasons ago IN the whimsical The
New Word" and IN London. as firmly
az hero. she II looked upon AZ one of
the most expert of Barrie actresses.
rre ''Aiary Rose cast also includes
q n. Clarence, who In London created
roles In "The WILL" "Thc New Word"
and "A Kiss for Cinderella IN his
younger DAYS he toured the English
provinces playing the pcp. cdUiu Dis
hart in THE Little Minister"