Evening star., 1897-07-31
Matters Of Interest Upon Those Two
Subjects.
A new PLAY At TEE COLUMBIA
Fred Bonds Company to Stay
Another Week.
SOME LIV ELY Cos s I P

WashfngtOnianS have not been without
at any time during the sum-
mer so far. The Columbia Stock Company
closed last Saturday night In the most
manner, and Monday night
Fred Bond and his summer company open
ed at the National Theater. This company
will continue next week, Mr.. Bond feeling
satisfied that his efforts and those of his
associates have received sufficient approval
to justify a continuance of their perform
ances. This will be gratifying intelligence
to his many admirers here. The Columbia
Theater again opens for a week to present
the Marquis of Michigan" and discover
from the verdict of the Washington public
If this piece will be success.
"It is surprising how many narrow es-
said Mr.. Ed. Rosenbaum the other day.
"You can never tell exactly what the public
want, and many times the play that you re-
ject makes a great big nit, and conse-
puts it on the stage. Why, 1 could have
bought a half interest in a piece that made
one of the biggest successes last season for
$2O0-a year ago. l locked 1t over and
didn't see much in it and declined the offer.
Even after it had been produced in Phila
dclphia where it had its first weeks bus-
ness, the same interest could have been
purchased for 5000. I'm told, although that
when it closed last spring had made for its
owners over $4,000, and it is good for an
other season, too.
Mr.. Willard Holcomb's play. "a Gentle
man Vagabond,' is being read by Sol Smith
Russell Tim Murphy and Mr. Ed. Rosen-
baum. The leading part is founded on the
career of the late Beau Hickman, whom
older Washingtonians remember exceeding
ly well. Those who have had an opportun-
hat 10 ynyn11
constructed, is full Of bright lines, with, of
course. vein of cynicism, and that the
situations are all good. With these quail
ties it seems that the piece should be a
success, # produced with a good cast. If
Mr.. Russell should accept it, the play
would be go. for he would be an ideal in
terpreter of the once famous Beau, who
wouldn't drink, thank you, but would take
10 cents. Russell Is about Beau Hickmal's
build too.
The National Conservatory of America,
which is located in New York city, and of
which Mrs. Jeanette NJ. Thurber is presi-
Dent and to the progress Of which she has
given so much of her time and energy, has
secured the services Of Mr.. Gustav Hinrichs
and of Monsieur Victor Capoul for its
operate department. This will afford un-
usual advantages to young men and wo-
men who desire to fit themselves for a pro-
fessfonal career, not only to acquire cor
rect method of singing end knowledge of
miliar with a large repertoire of standard
operas With two such artists co-opera ing.
the institution will soon be able to show Its
friends. and the public substantial results
In operatic performances, given wholly, as
to principals. chorus and orchestra, by its
pupils and teachers. The conservatory is
established and maintained purely for the
advancement Of art, and not for pecuniary
profit.
George Barnum of the MARQUIS of
Michigan Company tells the following
story: I'm the Green Room Club of Lon
don is chair that was once the property
of Garrick. 1t is regarded special
seat of honor and stands at the head of the
smoking room. One Of the most egotisti-
cal members of the club appropriated this
seat with great regularity on the Saturday
evening meetings of the actors and their
friends. He wasn't an Over-poDular man
and his aIprecia lion of himself approached
the colossal Finally he came to be looked
Upon by the club at large as a tremendous
tcre. 1t was determined to crush him If
possible, and that task was delegated to
1t is 2 matter of history that Garrick was
one of the meancst ren of his time. Tle
rows between Peg Woffington and him
self over her administration CT his house.
the penny-a-liners of the period. Thorne
used this fact with deadly effect. Coming
in on Saturday night he discovered the OBJ
ncxious one enthroned in the place of honor
and patronizing number Of young play
erS.
"'My dear boy said Thorne, do you
know :hat you are beginning to remind me
very much Of Garrick" 'Ah,' Queried the
bore, in what way? You grow more and
| mere like him every day, and less and less
like him every night
THE governing committee had a resigna-
ton to act upon at it's next meeting
w. A. Mcconnell, who has entered into
a three years contract to star Tragediar
Robert Downing. has secured for that gen
tleman's support three Of the best-knowr
actresses now before the public They are
| the Misses Adelaide Fitz Allen Harriet
| Sterling and Helene Potter. Besides pos
sessing great versatility, each one of then
| has held leading positions with tragedian.
within the past five years, so Mr. Downine
\ is assured Of the strongest feminine sup
| port ever given classical actor.
| Klaw & Erlanger, who have managed
| many of the most important theatrical at
| fractions of the past several years. right!
| consider their recent production of ''On,
| Round of Pleasure" the greatest achieve
| ment of their career The production ha
set mark of splendor and completeness
! beyond which 1t seems impossible to go
, and by which other productions will b.
| measured. 1t Is likely, for many seasons
! The size of the company and the magni
tude of the equipment make it necessar,
| to confine it's tour to long engagements II
| the principal cities-six weeks in Boston
| Philadelphia and Chicago, each, giving one
| half of its entire season to these four cities
| Washington, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pitts
i burg, Buffalo and ST. Louis are other cite
| that will be visited.
Mr.. Fred Bond in his early career playe
| the Tramp in "Edgewood Folks" with MI
Sol Smith Russell. Mr.. Russell had bee
| secured to open the rev theater in Mauc
Oh lk, Pa; of course there was a grea
de; of excitement over the event, and
large audience present The mana ge
of the theater engaged man stage door
keeper who had never been connecte
with theater before He had strict OF
| ders to allow no one to enter the door with
out permission his orders being to ejet
any Cne not belonging there, especiall
beggars and such like AS there was
low saloon adjoining the back door of tn
theater where tramps were won't to ties
the keg, he was told to keep sharp looR
out. On the eventful evening Mr. Bon
entered the theater and retired to his dres.
ing room and made up for the Tramp. Th
play began. MIR. Bond having q few mt
ments before his entrance wandered aroun
the theater, finally approaching the stag
door. Turning around the stairway
came face to face with the big burly doo
| keeper. There was a moments pause, whe
suddenly the doorkeeper sprang up, seize
Bond in the well-known manner, uttered a