The times., 1900-12-23

refused to accept 1t, and there is small
chance that the peoples verdict will be
changed
Mr.. Arbuckle has certainly been con-
fronted with innumerable difficulties since
he endeavored to be stellar actor. II
was the original idea of Manager Brooks.
who for many years directed the tours OF
william II. Crane, and expected Mr.. Ar
buckle to take, to a certain extent, that
worthy players position, TO exploit his
new star In a piece called The Gentle
man From Texas" written by Augustus
Thomas When the play was completed II
was found to be wholly impractical, as II
required the services OF over hundred
persons and troop OF animals. Mr. Ar
buckle had been extensively advertised TO
appear in the Thomas piece and was TO
have commenced his season in Washing
ton. THE Sprightly Romance of Marsac''
was thought to offer excellent opportuni-
ties for him, and once more was the first
production scheduled for this city. The
opening performance was quite a success,
although it was realized that the last two
acts were not nearly so good as the first
one, but with some changes OF a minor
character they might have been brought
up to the desired standard. 1t seems that
these alterations were not made and dur
ing the first week there were not the GUS
tomary rehearsals held that invariably
follow first performance.
In no city did "The Sprightly Romance
Of Marsac" make any money and as the
company was costly one Manager Brooks
very probably concluded that ii was poor
business to send good money after lost
coin, hence the notice that the piece Will
be taken off temporarily.
Miss Burroughs has won a distinct per-
sonal triumph in her new play. The Bat
tie of the Strong which is re-
puted by the press in those cities in
which 1t has already been seen to be one
of the ablest stage versions OF popular
novel that has been made within recent
years
Edward Rose made the book over for the
footlights, and If his latest effort is in
keeping with his other works that have
been presented in Washington during the
past few seasons one may confidently look
for meIodrama of the thrilling type. for
no native playhack Is more skillful in his
arrangement of intense situations and
scenes intended to move the audience to
expressions of widest approval than this
enterprising and prolific literary stage car
penter. Anyway Mr.. Rose has already
done some good work in this line, and
those who should know aver that his '.The
Battle of the Stroni," is one Of the best
things he has yet turned out.
Manager Rapley announces that Sarah
Bernhacdt during her engagement at the
National Theatre, commencing Monday,
January II. will present the following re-
pertoire: Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-
day nights and Wednesday matinee.
"LAiglon." Thursday LA Tosca;" FRI
day, Hamlet Saturday matinee. La
Dame aux Camelias," and Saturday night,
"Cyrano de Bergerac."
Few theatregoers of the present day will
recognize in Madeleine Lucette Ryley, the
most successful of American women dra-
matists. the same pretty slip of girl
who first appeared in this country as Pa
tience with the D'oyley Carte English op-
era Company, in the original production
of that charming Gilbert G Sullivan opera
of taat name Today she Is one of our
most prominent play makers. Her Chris
topher Jr" was one of John Drew's most
popular successes. Her Mysterious Mr..
Bugle" scored considerable success. Nat
Goodwin followed this ,th the produc-
tion of her American Citizen" which
was one of the most prc.ounced successes
that Mr.. Goodwin has produced for many
years. Herbert Kelcey and Efhe Shannon
started their starring tour in Mrs. Ryley s
clever play, THE Coat of Many Colors, y
which was the foundation which placed
these talented artists among popular and
prosperous stars of the day.
Within the next two weeks Washington
will see two more new plays by this clever
dramatist. One. MY Lady Dainty" will
be presented by Mr. Kelcey and Miss
shannon at the Columbia Theatre tomor-
row night, and a fortnight later Henry
Miller will present another entitled Rich
ard Savage" at the Same playhouse. This
latter piece was originally written for
Nat Goodwin and Maxine Elliott. Here's
vogue enough and to spare for any modern
dramatist.
Thus far there has been a strong fam
lily likeness in Mrs. Ryley's plays. In
christopher. Jr.," husband and wife are
separated under comical concatenation
of circumstances for term OF years in
''The Mysterious Mr.. Bagle" the betrothed
lovers are exhibited in a somewhat sim
liar posture of events In IAN American
Citizen il is husband and wife again Yet
all these plays have been successful VI
vacious dialogue, ingenious business,
and clever character study have sufficed.
But then. Mrs. Ryley has been very lucky
in placing her plays Her good fortune
in this respect has not failed her in her
latest success, My Lady Dainty" for
both Miss Shannon and Mr.. Kelcey are
popular players and in the titular charac-
ter Mrs. Ryley has produced part which,
it is claimed, is more eminently fitted to
Miss Shannon's personality and womanly
graces than any other in which this
charming actress has ever heretofore ap-
peared In this latter play the dramatist
has struck a more serious strain and
more ambitious effort than in any of her
former works.
The Lafayette attendants will learn
with much pleasure that John T. suili-
van will return to the cast of "Aristoc-
racy" this week. Mr.. Sullivan has been
out of the company for two week. there
not having been a suitable part for him
and he has, consequently, been enjoying
a fortnight's vacation.
1t is no disparagement to the other
members of Mr.. Berger's organization to
saw that the public will bail Mr. Sulli
vans return to work with great deal
of qualification. Miss Bates was, and Mr..
Sullivan is, among the prime favorites Of
the Lafayette company and their stimuli
taneous absence was regrettable.
II looked much like old times at the
Lyceum last week, with w. +. Ballauf
around the box Office once more. TIE for
mer treasurer was in the city with lrwin's
Big Show, of which he is the manager. as
well as general representative of Mr. Ir-
wins enterprises in the burlesque field,
and these. it may be stated, are quite
numerous. Since leaving his post at the
Lyceum box office Mr.. Ballauf has made
a decidedly enviable reputation as n man
ager and writer of burlesques. In this
latter occupation he has been most active,
and furnishes all OF the burlesques used
by the Irwin companies. and. after one
has viewed most of these similar enter
tainments that come to Washington it
must he confessed that the Ballauf product
is much superior to the average.
In speaking of his labors in the direc-
tion of grinding out material for burlesque
IN tn-tn q irr,,n,ts NJ. Pallanf nnnfnssna thrt