The age-herald., 1898-01-30

Helena Hodjeskas personality has not mellowed with the passing of the years. Dear Modjeska, the time is not far away when she twill be ostracised dramatically. The trend of the time is not Modjeska- ward. The day has passed when she could be a Camille, Mazda, or a Rosa lind. Of all the roles that have charmed American theater-goers there is only one of Modjeska's portrayals of today that is worthy If consideration. In the character of Mary Stuart as it is interpreted upon the stage and particularly as Modjeska plays it, there is lacking that coquetry that waywardness, that mere such dom inant traits in the historical heroine. With out these characteristics, Mary Stuart in the hands of Modjeska has never been a time representation. It has not been a character in which she grew in artistic finish and significance. It is a character that depends greatly upon personal graces which Modjeska possessed in her early career. Her rendition of today is notable only for it's intelligence of purpose. It is not marked by a trace of spontaneity. There are only occasional flashes of genius. She has lost the power to grasp the spirit of passionate ambition so insep- arabic from Mary Stuart. But Modjeska is wise in clinging to the ill-fated queen. It is a personation that few actresses of the modern school care to undertake. Mod jeska will not be forced to cope with more youthful favorites. It is the unpopularity of Mary Stuart that will not bring about those simultaneous comparisons that would be prompted by the inevitable going-off of physical charms and dramatic effectiveness of Helena Modjeska.
 In private life Modjeska is known as the Countess Bozenta She and the Count re- side in California. They own a magnif- cent fruit ranch and are regarded among the wealthiest growers in the state. They also spend part of the time in Chicago with Modjeska's son, Ralph. He is child of her first marriage. Two years ago, the last time that Modjeska visited Europe, it was her intention to play in St. Petersburg, but she and her husband were regarded by the authorities as displayed to Russia, and they were warned to leave, so that it has been some time since Modjeska said her last goodbye to her native land.
 The revolution in theatrical affairs of the south that will be the outcome of the fight against the theatrical trust the greatest menace to art, has been given assistance by the recent reformation in the manage ment of the Academy of Music and the St Charles theater in New Orleans. The lease of these theaters by Klaw and Err langer, who do the bookings for the trust expires in August. With the beginning of the new season, these houses will be practically under the management of MT. Henry Greenwall.
 Mrs. Guy Woodward more familiarly known as Bessie Warren is going to sub merge her personality into that of Eliza beth Brantly. She is going to impersonate an ancestor. The Woodward Warren company will submerge its personality into the Woodward and Ward combination. MT. Woodward is playing anagrams. He has not added to the firm as might have been supposed. The only part that Ward plays in the new organization is that 1t forms the last syllable of Woodward. It is con- venient to have a name that will work both ways. The WoodwardW organ .ization will comprise twenty-five people. The leading lady will be Bessie Warren. On the programmes she is to be known as Elizabeth Brantly. The new organiza- ton will play its first engagement tomor- row night at the Lyceum in Memphis, pre- senting "rhe Two Merry Tramps." It will cease to be popular priced company. Ladies will not be admitted free on first nights if accompanied by another person with a paid ticket. Under the new re- eime the price will be raised to S1
 Lillian Russell will probably star next season. presenting ."The Bohemian Girl" .sMartha" and other well known operas. It was part of the plan to mako Jessie Bartlett Davis joint star in the com- pany Eugene Cowles, of the Boston, fans, was also reported as signing in the new organization. Jessie Bartlett Davis has for some time been ambitious to star at the head of her own company, although 1t has been stated that she would retire from the stage at the close of the season. It is given out that she and Eugene Cowles will remain with the Bostonians. Alice Nelson, the primma donna of the