The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25
THE PASSING SHOW.

THE PASSING SHOW.
In the death of Charles Hoyt the native
stage has lost one of its very few
geniuses. He was writer who satirized
the types Of his own country and did it
| successfully. too. No matter how wild
| caricature the character which Hoyt
drew might be, there was always some
| kernel of truth and naturainess in the
! role which hit home every time. Hoyt.
during his career as playwright, turned
out about twenty plays, the best of which
were undoubtedly "a Texas Steer" which
| afforded local actor, Tim Murphy, the
| best chance of his career, while "a Md
night Bell" contained more tenderness
and sentiment than any Of his other
works, and in which Maude Adams scored
her first success.
Washingtonians who were at the Lafay-
cite Square Theatre on the Monday night
of two seasons ago. when Hoyt's last
/ piece, "a Dog in the Manger," was pro-
duced, and witnessed the abject failure
of the comedy. which was not comedy
(! At all, but tragedy, quickly realized that
the days OF the man who wrote "a Parlor
White Flag and many other pieces of
similar character were ever. SO far as the
composing of plays was concerned. The
Monday night in question marked the be-
ginning oflthe end for the brilliant Hoyt.
, The hurried trip South, accompanied by
friends and a doctor, and the taking II of
the play. were but unimpcrtart Incl
dents. The Placing of the playwright
under restraint at his old home in New
Nd tl,A af,t;A r.
former business partner, Frank Mckee,
for having 1t done, are matters CT recent
theatrical history. In the hysterical out
cry that followed his action, Mr.. Mckee
occupied very trying situation with
dignity and restraint which very few men
would have shown under the circum-
stances. Even the statement made later
at consultation of doctors that Hoyt
was hopelessly insane did not silence the
outburst of some of the playwright's hys-
terical friends.
Among the effects OF the late Mr.. Hoyt
are the scenario and partially finished man
uscript of a new piece upon which the
author had spent considerable time and
which his friends confidently believed he
would some time finish. II is called "a
Bunch of Blue Ribbon. and may be
turned over to John ]. McNaily or some
other well known writer for completion.
Washingtonians are indeed fortunate in
having an opportunity of hearing Francis
Wilson's new OPERA THE Monks OF Mala-
bar before Madge Leasing leaves the
company to go to England. where she will
have the principal part in one OF the nu-
merous Christmas pantcmimes. Much as
it is against her wishes, Miss Leasing is
compelled to sever her relations with the
Wilson organization. on account of a con-
-,,,,I !, 4 IL
months prior to her engagement with Mr..
Wilson.
Since Marie Jansen was in her heydey
Miss Leasing is by all odds the most
charming and dainty leading woman the
popular comedian has had. Although she
is English by birth, Miss Lessing's pro-
fessional career has principally been con-
cerned with the stage of This country.
dating from the early days when she was
one of the moths that lowered around the
bright lights in the famous cork room of
the Twenty third Street Music Hall of
Roster & Bal. And she is, tco the only
member Of that company who has made
her way TO position Of prominence in
the theatrical world. While many of her
former companions at the Kcster & Bal
place are today known throughout the
country as queens of burlesque' Miss !
leasing occupies the unique position of |
being quiz Indispensable to Mr.. Wilson. |
At least Mr.. Wilson himself has about !
come to this conclusion. for he has had a |,
great deal Of worry and trouble in finding |
a suitable successor. and. although he has |
finally settled upon Marie Celeste as the |
person most available, he is conscious of |
the fact that the present San Toy is by |
no means the equal of the little woman |
who will leave his company Immediately |
81 ta ono lNrpfn fln Col, 10
Theatre this week.
What is the matter with the young
women of the native stage? They no
sooner get q good part and make a sue
cess than they proceed to imagine them
selves worthy of being stars. The latest
announced -aspirdnt for stellar honors is |
Eleanor Robson, who Will be remembered
by local thcatregoers as the very charm
ing Bonita of Arizona when the Thomas
play was viewed at the Lafayette last
season. Now, Miss Robson is out with
the statement that she is too good to be
ANYTHING but a star and has secured a
Of Robert Grants book
II nleavened Brerd," in which she Will
soon make her appearance at the head
Of her own company.
In Arizona Miss Robson is seen to
splendid advantage in role.lhat she has
invested with much tenderness and a girl
ish dignity and it Is pity to see such a
really talented young woman succumbing
to the glamour Of her present success. |
Her next appearance will be as Flossie
Williams. a boisterous and rollicking
young matron With social ambitions and
the central figure in n quite unplea SAINT
story, if the dramatized version is mod
eled after the lines of Mr.. Grants book.
Miss Robsons place in Arizona will
be taken by Olive May at present in the
support OF John Drew in Richard Car
vel" 1t is undecided as yet just who will
replace Miss May.
Proprietor G. A. Wegefarth. of the BIZ
jou has been in the city for the past week
looking over his local theatre and renew
ing many former acquaintance Mr..
Wesefarth is cutie enthusiastic over the
new house he Will build for Baltimore, his
native town, and which when completed
will be one of the handsomest theatres de-