The Washington times., 1894-07-15
GALLERY, PIT, AND GREENRooM.

great many well-known actors and ac-
tresses are no: causing press notices to be
printed about the places where they are sum-
mering. Last season was anything but a
prosperous one, aud the Thespians with de-
pleted purses are numerous. Many promi-
nent stars have ostensibly gone into holes
and the holes are well In after them. Now
that the debt and credit accounts have been
adjusted 1t Is rather curious to note the re-
suit.
The extremes In stage craft seem to have
been the most successful. Plays OF the char
acter of "Hannele," "Shore Acres" and
works showing the most serious purposes of
the drama have in most instances been sue
esssful, Guy de Maupassant's Inflated ''Mu-
sette" being, perhaps. the most conspicuous
exception. The very tickle follies OF
pantomime and buriesqus on tho other
hand have also served to tickle
the public palate. Farces, farce-comedies,
comic operas and even legitimate comedy.
the class OF plays only u short time since so
very popular, no longer seem to enjoy favor.
With the exception OF Wilson, in his revival
OF 'Erminie." none Of the comic operas were
largely successful. The pieces that have
scored the big money-making hits are the
veriest nonsense
The burlesque 'l492'' has been running at
York for year. 1t has crowded each theater
from pit to dome at nearly every performance.
There is little or nothing in it but some pretty
girls, handsome scenery, and series OF fin
de steele lay figures called ''iiving pictures"
The change in the public taste is not easy
to account for. 1t seems to have had better
effect upon the managers. as the attractions
SO far announced for next season are OF the
usual commonplace order with few novelties
in any particular line. Last Summer we
were looking forward TO the coming OF Henry
Irving, tho-ever- er-snd-always-wi.h-us Patti,
Coqueiin and Jane Hading. Sandowe and
numberless new plays by American, English,
and French playwrights.
The theatrical menu promises fewer deli
cacies tor the coming season, however, than
ever before, and while there are more play
houses in New York, the West, and South
than ever there are few novelties expected.
The reasons are only natural.
What with financial stringencies. strikes
and bad legislation the outlook is not roseate,
and 1t takes a manager with the most cheer
full, optimistic eye Imaginable to invest large
sums OF money in new and untried attractions
at the present writing.
Some of the stars are already disguised
with the situation. No less a person than
Lillian Russell is one OF these. There have
been many reasons for her departure for
Europe given. yet the birds have not whis-
pered the true one.
With all her art Miss Russell lost lot Of
money last season. II was the fault of the
times and not the artist. Two Washington
actors, Charles u. Hanford and Frederick
Pauldin2. have decided not to star on account
OF the bad outlook, and 1 also understand
that Robert Downing's plans are not yet fully
decided upon These are only several OF the
many instances. 1t might strike the casual
observer that the stars mentioned are a little
hasty in their judgment.
The country is not going to the dogs en-
til ely, and people will buy theater tickets
when they have to pinch to buy bread.
Drop in Albaugh's or the National any one
OF these evenings. II is the last time Of the
year when people should be expected to sup
port play houses, vet both OF these theaters
are drawing goodly audiences night after
night.
With the thermometer always" in the
nineties that is not bad sign. is it?
r. w g.