The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02
done for fun.

| speeches is good evidence that his audi
| ences did not take any too kindly to
| 1.-The Monks of Malabar."
| 1t does not take any great amount OF
| applause to convince Mr.. Wilson that the
people in front of the footlights are in
need of a short speech, and it Is we'll
known fact that these little heart-tO- heart
talks with his audiences are much dearer
| to the comedian than either a game Of golf
or an especially old book.
The appearance Of Miss Dorothy Bran
don, of this city, with the Francis Wilson
| Opera Company at the Columbia Theatre
last week, was of considerable local in
terest. Miss Brandon is a newcomer on
the stage, whose careful and intelligent
work in a minor position shows that she
is capable Of larger undertakings. When
the natural stage talents which she pos
! sesses by inheritance are ripened by the
experience which she is now securing,
Miss Brandon will be heard from in no
uncertain tones
John Major, erstwhile manager for Julia
Arthur, writes a Washington friend de-
fiuitely regarding the future plans Of his
star. In company with her husband,
Benjamin P. Cheney. she will soon leave
for an extended trip through Mexico, Cali
fornia. and the great Southwest. Iravel-
ing in the private car Mercedes" which,
by the way, is named for Miss Arthur's
Spa nish play by Joseph Bailey Aldrich. On
their long rides through this little known
country, Mr. and Mrs. Cheney will peruse
many manuscripts already submitted for
consideration, and when they reach San
Francisco. the day after Washing.on's
birthday, viii announce the selection of
the next stellar vehicle for Miss Arthur.
The reason for the selection of this date
to announce the play is because it will be
the fourth anniversary of their wedding.
Contracts for scenery and costumes Will
be Immediately let and when Miss Ar
thur returns to the stage it will be With
the same sumptuous productions which
have marked her stellar career since her
marriage TO Millionaire Cheney.
For a long time there has been much
talk concerning a play which it was
stated Messrs. William A. Brady and
joseph R. Grismer were going to pro-
duce and which. it was said. they hoped
would rival Way Down East" in popu-
larity and success. 1t has also been va
riously stated that the play would be
rural drama an emotional drama. and
melodrama. As matter of fact, the
only truth in these statements was the
fact that Messrs Brady and Grismer had
play which they intended to produce
All particulars concerning 1t, however,
they kept a secret. Not word concern
ing it was given out by any of those
concerned. and the rest of the stories
given publicity were pure speculation.
Now. however. 1t has been learned that
the play is one of historical interest and
that its name is Betsy Ross" The scene
is laid during the early period of the
Revolutionary War, and 1t will differ
greatly from many of the recent pro-
auctions which go back to the colonial
days for a foundation. That it will, in
way. succeed Way Down East" is true,
for Miss Phoebe Davies, Odell williams,
Sarah Stevens, Ella Hugh Wood, and, in
fact. almost all the leading members of
the company which will produce Way
Down East at the New National Theatre
this week will create new roles In Betsy
Ross" II is not true. however, that Miss
Davies will be starred in this play. as
has been said. for it will be an "aIl-star
ca5t." as is that of Way Down East
The heroine of the play. Betsy Ross, as
is generally known, was the woman who
made the frst United States flag. and in
doing this she had the personal aid and
advice of Gen. George Washington. who Is
one of the prominent figures in the new
play. Betsy who will be impersonated by
Miss Davies, was young and pretty wild
Ow and a native of Philadelphia She was
a Quaker by birth and breeding. but so
firmly did she believe in General Wash
ington and the Revolutionary cause that
she abjured her faith because the tenets
of 1T held that warfare for any cause was
a sin. Just how Betsy figures in the play
will not be made known for some time
been possessed of all the domestic virtues
and apparently she was in every way fit
ted to figure as heroine of great
drama
The date of the production of this play
is not yet announced but 1t will first
be seen by the public in the town in which
she once lived and was honored. Philadel-
phia. Those who have read the play say
it is of great dramatic interest and that
the story is strong and well told. Further
than this. it furnishes an excellent yehi-
Gle for the display of the talents of the
actors and actresses who have been
chosen to fill the various roles that of
Miss Davies being particularly strong. 1t
is also claimed that the actor who Is to
have the honor Of impersonating the IA
Their OF his country has not yet been |
chosen. His selection Will be awaited with
interest. as it will take
many requirements. both physical and
of high standard to bring the |
character up to the ideal of the people of !
the present generation.
One of the members OF the Washington
Orchestra. well-knOwn
musician and composer OF this city. in con-
recently on the outlook Of that
new organization. said that he could not
see how the conditions could be more ia
yorable than they are at this time for
most successful season for the new or
chestra, and one that would surely ensure