Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29

- 1l1@S
scene indoors where Fanny leaves Jean?
He has brought this grayness into his life.
When Fanny opens the door to begin her
new life. however, one sees the sun IS shin
Ing; there is ray of promise in it for
poor Sapho
Miss Nethersole produces Suderman's
Mazda for the first time tonight She Is
quite excited over the event, for not only
Is the part a creation new to her, but she
has arranged the version of the play her
self. "Magda," she says, should appeal
to the American people, as she is lighting
for the freedom of her heart, the yearnings
of her soul, and for breaking of the mill
tary discipline, the unbinding of the coils
of an old conventonality that are blighting
her. She is typical of the American spirit.
The play teaches that love and freedom are
really the safeguards of the home
IF the bird in his cage is allowed from
the first to fly out in the room, it will in
variably return to its home. But if the
bird be Gagged always, with no freedom,
once the door is opened it flies away to re-
turn no more. l have reduced Magda' from
four acts to three, thinking that 1t will
better please the American and English au-
diences in that form. Ii permits the hero
Inc being Introduced in the first act. The
American people do not care to have their
heroines described in detail and spoken of
constantly, only to find that the first act
closes without her appearance. The wait
of fifteen minutes spoils to a great extent
the effect of her final interposition into the
action of the play. So L have taken the
liberty to condense the words of introduce
ton in rider to sooner bring the woman
herself before the audience. This will be
the first part l have ever created in Wash
ington."
"Sapho'' WILL however, remain Miss Meth
ersOles principal vehicle of the season.
When we want cake" she says naively.
pudding does notzappeal 70 Us just at that
time. The people seem to demand 'Sapho,'
so l shall endeavor to please my public.
AS an artist l am my publics servant al
ways"
Gilbert Parker. whose stirring tale of TO-
nance and history of the Island of Jersey,
The Battle of the Strong has been dram
atized for Miss Marie Burroughs, Is an
other one of the brilliant younger set of
authors of today who were intended for
professions, but who escaped into the more
attractive field Of literature.
Mr.. Parker is a Canadian. His father was
a British artillery officer, who went to the
dominion in the early '30s with Sir John
Colborne. The son was educated at Trinity
College. Toronto, with the idea of event
land. He attended some lectures in d.
vinity and for time assisted the late
Canon Bleasdell in parish work, but he gave
up the idea to follow his bent for literature.
He lectured for a time on literary subjects
at Toronto University, and in 1886 went to
Australia on account Of Ill health. He be-
came associate editor of the Sydney Morn
ing Herald, and spent several years cruIs-
ing about among the South Sea Islands,
studying the conditions of life in the south
ern hemisphere. The results of his wan
derings have been embodied in two inter-
esting books. He has travelled extensively
in northern Canada and is perhaps more IA
milar with it's land and people than any
other Canadian writer.
Since 1891 Mr.. Parker has to all intents
and purposes been Londoner He has
made his home there since that time, be-
longs to the Savile and Authors clubs and
has just been elected to the house of COM
mons. He is a hard worker, but publishes
only at intervals which allow him time to
finish his work very carefully. He is an
enthusiastic follower of outdoor sports. and
is said to be almost equally fond of goIfng,
cycling. riding, rowing and shooting. The
dramatic version of his most popular novel.
THE Battle Of the Strong" will be pre-
scented by Miss Burroughs at the Columbia
Monday night.
Madeleine Lucette Ryley, the author,
wrote Richard Savage" Henry MiEer's
new play, for no particular star, actor or
organization, nor for any particular man
ager. She is said to have undertaken it
by way of a literary diversion, because the
subject in its abnormal phase appealed to
her dramatic instinct. She expended much
study and time in writing it. but with little
thought or care as to it's ultimate fate. 1t
was about the time Of finishing this play
that she met Nat Goodwin in her capacity
of playwright, though she had known him
many years as an actress. She offered him
Richard Savage" to read, as she would
offer him a new novel, but with no idea of
his becoming a client. He read it and re-
turned it, with more or less flattering COM
ment. He sent for it again, had an inter-
view with her, expressed a desire of pro-
curing the play, but explained to her that
rick and In MiZZoura," ETC., he thought
the pubic demanded a light comedy by
way Of change. and would she accept a
commission for new play. If so, he
would buy Richard Savage as we'll as
the unwritten comedy. and stipulate tat
the production Of the former should follow
the latter. The light comedy was written
and delivered which turned out to be IN
American Citizen.%l Mfr. Goodwin did not
lose interest in "Rtchard Savage" as those
who know him best will testify. A new fac
tor. however, came into the plans Of Mr.
Goodwin. a very beautiful wife. Maxine
Elliott, whom he was ambitious to give
equal opportunities in all productions with
himself, which was impossible with Rich
ara savage. surrender the play,
however, he bought an extension of his
rights beyond the period of his original
contract At about this juncture, Henry
Miller made his first move as a star, and
having heard of Richard Savage" secured
a reading. and was so Impressed that he
offered the author signed blank check
for her to fill out to the amount she de-
sired In return for the American rights. 1t
was a question of getting Mr.. Goodwin to
surrender his option, which he not only
declined to do. but exercising his preroga-
tive purchased a still further extension of
his rights. The production, therefore, was
again frustrated. and Mr.. Miller produced
his play of 'Heartsease" instead.
Finally seeing the futility of keeping a
play in which his wife had not an equal
opportunity, Mr.. Goodwin surrendered 1t.
The next bidder was Charles Richmann. at
the time Of Augustin Days Death a
proposition was made to star him by
very influential theatrical firm If he could
secure the requisite material. After dill
gently surveying the field he ran across the
play of Richard Savage" and for a week
the cables between T. Henry French's Of
fees In New York and London were hot
with negotiations. Terms and conditions
had been agreed upon when Mr. Richman
received what must have been very per-
suasiye offer to Join the forces OF Mr.