Evening star., 1897-05-15

author of "A First Onense." the new
comedy to be produced at the Columbia
next Monday. disclosed some interesting
facts about how he came to be play
wright He is an Indiana boy, though his
father was born on the present site or the
F street end of Willards Hotel At college
he adapted and playedsin many plays, but
not until he spent summer with the
Kesters. dramatists. then living at Gun
ston Hall, Va, did he become strongly
inoculated with the virus Of play making.
That was three years ago His first play
was the usual ambitious. but entirely i'm
possible study in psy Geological tragedy.
Next for practice he dramatized George
Ohnets 'Dr Rameau," and wrote Hoo
sier pastoral Odd times between were hll-
ed in with contributions to magazines, his
present journalistic work, the writing OF
bridget" and Bluff" which we saw last
summer, and several small pieces ioi
actors who have gone into vaudeville.
First Offerse' was written last aq.uii,,,' n,.
and Immediately sold to William A braaS'
at what Is probably the largest price ever
paid an author for first play AT presens
Mr. WiIstach is digesting the scenarios Oh
two other comedies. one of whlch ne eH-
poets to finish this summer HIS 1orte Is
comedy though we who have seen tne
underlying sentiment of BRIDGET anu
others who have read a pastoral COMEDY
tiD1ent. When Mr.. Wilstach left college
his family wished him to pursue lainiiy
preoedents and practice law. But ne pre-
ferred piaywriting. The idea was re-
ceiyed with a quiet smile. until the young
mar presented this logical proposition: III
l tecome a lawyer. 1t will mean -FOUR years
of study at the university? Then four years
more of establishing practice before can
obtain the confidence OF cnents WHICH
brings cash support. You agree We'll,
I'm going 20 give four years TO the STUDY
of dramatic technique. literature, conStruc-
ticn and convention Then II shall prop
ably be possessed of the efficiency TO write
a play, four years more of practice Snoulu
bring me a production A single produc-
ton will bring me more money tnat any
bit the most brilliant lawyers make IN
YEAR He has realized the aim OF clSnl
years work in less than two and a half
VIII jefferson. a son of the eminent
comedian Joseph Jefferson Is a member OF
the Columbia Theater Comedy Company
which will make its bow to a Washington
public next Monday night 1t happens that
III leaving Buzzard's Bay VIII brought
along his clothes and costumes In trunks
of his father, and the aforesaid trunks
bear upon their conspicuous outsides the
name in large white letters, of their dis
tingulshed owner. AS Mr. Jeffersons
trunks were driven up to the Riggs and
unloaded on the sidewalk Thursday morn
ing several pretty girls came that way
Evidently they saw the name on the trunks,
for Will received three scented notes be-
fore dinner that same day. asking for his
autograph. and If he would please write
also his famous toast as Rip VIII had to
write back diplomatic notes. to say that
he is merely his fathers son, but hopes
some day to have his autograph valuable
for his own sake 1t might be a specula-
tiOn for the girls to keep these entire auto
graph letters which he has written
General interest has been awakened here
in Miss Lizzie Macnchols version of the
role OF Carmen. owing to the fact that 1t is
expected to be original The popular con-
traito has some decided views the char
acter, and will give n Carmen in keeping
with Bizet's conception of the woman. Just
what this view is can be partly guessed
from Miss Macnichors words when she
said in speaking about this opera a few
days ago:
Il have studied the part for a year and
i feel that / have found the points the
composer, Bizet. wanted emphasized most
strongly. while the ideas of Meirhac and
Halevy. who supplied the words. l have
read most carefully Carmen, as these
three men intended her, is d creature of
impulses, and the interpreta tion from their
standpoint Is at once one Of great power
and great art They made her rub up
against any male in her vicinity and purr
and Dout. until the foolish object of her
fascination sickens with love and sur
renders Her magnetism is enormous. But
the person who portrays Carmen must dare
on the stage to make her a cold hearted
hot-blooded young woman. who is not eS-
pccially critical about the quality or uuan-
tity of her lovers. She must temoe- her
realism, must never be coarse, but always
suggestive
NATIONAL THEATER.-Julia Marlowe
and Robert Tabt= will begin their engage
ment Of one week at the New National
Ihe2tcr Monday evening next Their open
ing bill Will be For Bonnie Prince Charlie"
lTod'icvd h@rc exactly il was given at
Naliack's fheater. New York. where ii ran
for six weeks during the past winter and
where 1t was pronounced one of the great
est successes of the New York season. The
story deals with the struggles of Prince
Charles Edward Stuart called the young
pretender. The action is coincid at with
mis- adv yentures In and escape from Scotland
'!he frst ac. of the play takes place in the
Firkyard of Clanmorris, in 174J, where de-
liberation is going on as to whether the
clan OF Cianmorris shall join the rising in
the princes fav0~- Lord Clanmorris and
his wife. Lady Dora are among the princes
followers, but they are unable to persuade
the Clansmen to support the prince The.
clan does listen to the headings of Angus
an old blind beSgar. and his granddaughter
Mary, who is his companion in all his wan
oeriIgs. and who are alch JacJbitcs
Mary and Lady ClanmorriS are both in love
with Prince Charlie In the second act is
SHOWN the camp of the young pretandrr
under the walls of Edinburgh. A rumor of
an intrigue between the prince and Lady
bor'; allseS, and the chieftains VINO are hot
aware OF the wOman's identity and who
determine ii tho rumor proves true to
aahahdoE the prince, resolve to find out
ne prince has made an appointment for 2
maj meeting, and the chiefs plan 10 sur
round the house where he is to meet th,,
woman Mary. who is worn out by a long
journey In tine princes service as a sny
tltiHeilrs the plot Of the chieftains TO lea IN
VINO me prince is going to meet She hast
ems 10 the rendezvous to save the ..,,ilty
pam Tor Scotlands sake. permits herself 10
I' loGnd IN the house and diverts slIspicion
iioH Lady Dora to herself. All the CIR
cumstances are against Mary and she f.; 70
Nl.ed bY the stern old chieftains, some of
whom knew her and had before held her in
hiSh esteem Angus. Nary's grandfather
= drought In TO pass judgment upon ner:
ne curses her. The chiefs Withdraw and
Ifeh Mary confesses TO her erandfa.her
the part she has played and disc!os.s her
ioDIe motives As the result of ner oacri
nee Prince Charlie and his army marcn
etliy 10 the south. The fourth act take :
place after the battle OF Culloden where
me ScottlSh forces We're defeated and whom
'he prince Is fugitive. Lady Dora is dead
ana Lord Clanmorris Is in flight: but he has
iearLed the truth about his wife and is
about to Kill the prince. who has taken
refuge IN a cottage upon Lord Clanmorris'
estate when he Is restrained by a plea
from Mary and reflections upon the noble
co''aUct OF ;he beggar girl. The prince ef-
lects ms escape. and Mary worn out by
dlstStcr 10 her COuntry's cause and home