Evening star., 1898-10-08


fortunately there are black sheep on the
stage as in every condition of life. Very
recently in the foremost ranks of society,
both here and abroad, there have been
startling examples of the black sheep sort,
yet would 1t be fair to argue, on the
strength of these exceptions, that in So
ciety today if a girl remains pure of heart
it is a riracle? If virtue, purity and even
unconventionality are to be considered in
the question Of an actress social position,
then the question of the moral condition of
society itself must first be demonstrated.
Again, looking at the police records in
the morning papers, lawyers, doctors sci
entists and even clergymen are charged
with crime; yet would one on account Of
these backsliders have the audacity to de-
clare that the professions thus represented
were debaSed?
1T is true. however, that the part of Ia
dies cannot be played by those whose ac-
cent and manners are al variance with
their birth. This is a matter of general
training in early life, and of refined asso-
Citations. When an actress successfully
fills the role of a lady on the stage there
should not he any question as to her social
position in private life. One must be cul-
tivated, indeed, who can adopt a tone and
demeanOr other than those one has been
accustomed to in youth, and to do it so
naturally as to defy detection. How often
do those whose critical eye is not blinded
by the beauty of an actress say of her:
This woman has both imagination and
genius. but she lacks the refinement which
can only come from birth; she is not to the
manor born In every profession there are
degrees of excellence. and in the theatrical,
as in the regular army, there only be
one general to a great many privates.
There never was a larger demand than now
for educated and refined women to devote
themselves to the stage, and If the refined
drama is to be maintained. then ladies and
gentlemen by birth and education must de-
vote their talents to the cause. And who
shall claim that woman thus forfeits her
claim to social recognition?
Then. too, better class of people are
adopting the stage as q profession. Good
sweet women mothers and sisters, who
keeping their purity unsullied, are helping
to transfuSe 1t with a new and brighter
light An actress should not be judged by
the few who dress conspicuously and talk
loudly. Is society judged by that member
of it who insults a woman? Surely, it is
better to earn ones bread with ones natu-
raj talents, and shock few, rather than
starve and bury ones gifts to please the
bigoted. An actress has a soul, feeling,
heart and tenderness. She is human be-
ing, just the same any other woman
Mr.. W. H. T. Beckham, a well-known
newspaper man, who was for many years
The Stars correspondent at Alexandria,
has been engaged by Mr.. Creston Clarke
to do his advance work. Mr.. Beckham Is
following the example of many young men
who have gone from the newspaper into
the dramatic profession
N Du Shane Cloward will sing the offer
tory at St. Michael and All Angels Church
tomorrow morning. This will be MIR. Glow
ards first appearance here in church for
nearly two years.
Mr.. Ben D. Stevens and Mr.. John W. Nc
Kinney, who have both been associated
with De Wolff Hopper since his first eff
forts as a star, respectively as manager
and business manager, have at last sew
cred their connection with the elongated
comedian to throw their excellent abilities
into the service of that well-known and
popular comedian, jefferson De Angels,
who stars this season in a new opera, The
Jolly Musketeer." Robert Hunter late of
the Fifth Avenue Theater, New York, will
also be associated with this company as
representative.
new song, called THE Washington
Girl the words by Sarah Willard Howe
and music by w G.. Collins, and dedicated
to Miss Marie Howe. mas been published
and will undoubtedly become very popular.
The theme is a bright, catchy melody in
waltz time, very pleasing to the ear, and
the words show that the Washington girl
possesses all the qualities required of an
up-to-date maiden.
THE COLUMBIA-"A War Correspond
ent,' is the name of the new war comedy
which will be seen for the first time a the
Columbia Theater on Monday night.
The production excites more than ordi-
nary interest from the fact that it will
also signalize the birth of a star in
the dramatic firmament-Burr Mcintosh.
The play was written by Lottie Blair Par
ker, native dramatist, who has been hap
PLY successful in her career as a dramatic
writer. White Roses" a curtain raiser,
which was produced by Daniel Frohman At
the Lyceum Theater In conjunction with
The Gray Mare" was her first contribu-
ton to dramatic literature. Last year she
gave US Way Down East" a pastoral
play of New England life. "A War Corre-
spondent" is her third Offering, and it will
be interesting TO note whether she will
strike the happy keynote of success in this
play so entirely different from either of
her others.
"A War Correspondent" is a comedy
drama with scenes laid in and about Ha-
vana in March, '9S, and shows the feeling
at that time. NOtwiths tanding the strain
ed condition of affairs, the play is full of
happy sentiment The American war cor
respondent in Havana at that time was no
more proof against the charming sweet
ness of a lovable woman than is any young
American-and more credit to him. Mr..
Mcintosh plays the war cores pondent-a
newspaper man in Cuba, a man of resource
and brains, a gentleman.
There have been number of plays with
reporters in the cast. bat never before has
an author given us play when the news
paper correspondent has had any serious
consideration. Mr.. Mcintosh will have the
assistance of a good company. Miss Grace
Filkins, who, by the way, is the wife OF
Commander Adolph Mark. is the ieading 9
lady. Miss Filkins was last here with Mr.
Coghlan in "A Royal Box" Miss Edith
Barker, who was here with E. H. Sothern,
is also in the cast. Genevieve Ingersol and
Nina Freeth are the other ladies' The gen
tlemen in the company are Errol Dunbar
George c. Staley, Lawrence Eddinger, John
Stuart Robertson, Dustin Farnunl, James
Mckeen and James F. Mcdonald. Mr. Nc
IT,, ,yElss -.
certainly be a valuable assistance to him in
the new role. In speaking of the photo
graphs he took in Cuba he said: II didn't
come back without some honors at least
| have certificate from DIR. Guiteras the
yellow fever expert, to the effect that
was the first patient with yellow fever to
be received at the hospital and the first