The times., 1898-12-11


are sufficiently well-iniormed on matters theat-
fleal to be able to read between the lines Nat
uraiy the cutgivings Of these writers are neither
weighty ner influential. They are looked upon a.
rosges by the profession and as suspects by the
reading public
The ''one or two dramatic writers" to
whom Mr.. Fiske refers are probably New
Workers and men whose repeated Of
felses have made them well known TO
everyone But there are more than zone
or two" such people, and there are hun
dreds of theatrical managers who S III
claim the privilege OF making the news
papers their accomplices in defrauding
the public Generally their might tri-
umphs over right. and the crit who does
not bow to them merely makes a martyr
of himself. But this does not APPEAR to b.
invariably the case any longer AT any
rate the Baltimore News Is heartily to b.
commended for its stand in the matter,
as are the Boston Transcript and the
Dramatic Mirror. two papers noted for
their liberality and their support of what
they think proper. The day is coming
when criticism will again be crit t-cism
and II Will arrive-even though some of
those who have stood up for 1t fitst suf-
fer bitterly as result of managerial
conmercialism and public indifference
Not since ..The Christian was given
its first production In this city has any
metropolis outside of New York had q
premiere of the Importance of David Be-
lasco's ''Zaza." Mr.. BeIasco's effort has
been made notable not only by reason
OF the fact that he Is the author of some
of the greatest successes on the stage
among them THE Heart of Maryland
and from knowledge that the coming
presentation has been promised for sew
eral months back. but in the announced
appearance Of Mrs. Leslie Carter in its
title role. The drama will be given its
hrst production on any stage two weeks
from tomorrow at the Lafayette Square
Opera House.
While very little has been said about
'Zaza," enough has leaked out regarding
the story and motives for one to imagine
that 1t will be very powerful play Ho-
bart Brooks. local newspaper man. who
has recently returned from Il brief stay
with Mr. Beiasco. reports that never has
he read more promising effort. The
plot in some respects. resembles that OF
Camille but is still so different that
little likeness may be traced in the tell
ing Zaza is a child of the streets-a
concert hall girl without any conception
or idea Of any one of the proprieties so
vigorously laid down by conventional So
ciety. She is ignorant and poor and pas
sionate. These traits make ner the easy
prey of young journalist with whom
she shortly comes in contact The two
go to the country aud there establish a
modest little home. the happiness OF
which is only marred by his frequent
leavings-
Finally Zaza learns that the man she
mas loved is married and in his absence
journeys to Paris that she may betray
him 10 his family. She enters his house
just as the daughter has seated herself at
a piano. and the notes OF the music, to-
gether with the picture of contentment
presented. emboldens her to turn back in
to the world without wreclSing that home.
Shortly before the lover reaches his eoun-
try place she arrives there and meets him
upon his coming with something of the
fury of a tigress. A separation follows
which lasts for years. In the meanwhile
Zaza becomes famouS-as Magda did-and
her knavish lover hunts her out again.
This time she refuses to have anything
In common with him. however. and ne is
forced to leave her alone A denouement
OF rare power comes Immediately after,
and the play IS ended
In the name role Mrs Carter Is said
to have part of great difficulty II pos
sesses so many trying scenes and so many
versatile moods that only great actress
could attempt it In portraying the char
acter Mrs Carter will have to show the
chic and sparkle of a Fougere. the a-tis-
tic temperament of Bernhardt, the intel
hgence of Minnie Maddern Fiske and
the force of IA Blanche Walsh Wheth-
er or not the Maryland of former years
will be able to accomplish all that Is ex-
pected of her remains to be seen In the
mainline there seems to be little reason
to doubt that Mr.. Belasco's latest effort
will be his master work-a piece of which
Washington may be proud of standing
sponsor.