Evening star., 1900-03-31
MUSIC

the Columbia Theater, the Academy Of Mu-
sic, Kernans and the Bijou there was
spread the mystic influence of rag time.
Cole and Johnson (coloreG sang ballads
about the blue and the gray and drifted into
grand opera this week, while May Irwin
warbled the ditties of the razor
swinger and the crap shooter. AS that
promising playwright Mr.. Israel Zangwill
remarks much of the pleasure of the play
house seems to consist in seeing something
where it really does not belong. Even
Frank Daniels made his obeisance to the
Afro-American, and the cake walk and
negro minstrel travesty was one Of the
best things In the iridescent melange which
has been christened The Ameer," and
which played to business SO satisfactory
gagement. THE Ameer' does not invite
criticism. 1t defies it. And the elfin per-
sonality of Frank Daniels commands htari-
Gus homage wherever he e,ects to preside.
He and May Irwin are something alike in
the fact that what the play may be makes
little difference so long as the star does not
get sick and demand the services of an
understudy. One of the most important
stars of the season is Cissie Lotus. who
is an artist of genuine quality and may be
regarded as one of the highest artistic de-
velopments of that young but very vigor-
Gus institution known as polite vaude-
VILE
Next week brings the always reliable
BoStonianS, with some new operas, and the
sprghtly Anna He'd. "Papa's Wife, was
seen in Washington in the incipiency of its
career. Since then We have had THE C.
From NJ 5" In P" and several other
French farces whose full titles really ought
not to be spoken outright in society. After
these "Papa's Wife" seemed a demure, al
most Puritanic affair Florence Ziegfeld
proclaims afar his regret that he ever had
al 1lNrh 70 do hiytrS, rTI1r
tle," and has employed litterateur of un-
su.lied imagination and classic vocabulary
to distill his tears of repentance into limpid
showers Of rhetoric. Mr.. Ziegfeld is man
of such thOroughness in whatever he un-
dertakes that there is not much excuse for
doubling his zeal when he sets himself to
work as an expurgator.
"A Black Sheep" comes to the Academy
with a record which makes successful
week foregone conclusion. The Grand
brings Mr.. and Mrs. Royle, Solaret and a
general bill that promises well.
While there is still some formality to be
observed in connection with the signing of
the papers which will turn the Academy of
Music over to Mr.. Hashim of Philadelphia
as a continuous vaudeville house. there is
no doubt that a change of policy will be in
augurated next fall. The house is to be
Kept vacant during the summer to permit
redecoration. and if by any mischance the
present negotiations should lapse, the
prices will be lowered and a series of at
fractions engaged to give two performances
daily at popular prices. The desire for a
thorough understanding that the house
shall be closed for decorations may have
had something to do with the delay in final
settlement of the new deal
With reference to an assertion that B.
F. Keith was to come to this city to con-
duct vaudeville house, Mr.. Chase of the
New Grand shows a letter from keith's
general manager absolutely denying any
such intention. He adds that having Mr..
Chase's assurance of his purpose to act in
concert with Mr.. Keith, the latter is more
than satisfied not to seek the conquest of
Washington.
"The Keith and Chase interests" says
Mr. Chase, ARE identical SO far as the
maintenance of high standard Of attrac-
tons and generous policy of treatment
is concerned, and there can never be any
rivalry between US. | do not purpose any
Baltimore and the road company headed
by Nine. Hermann. L believe in letting
we'll enough alone until that which is
known to be better can be reasonably and
properly grasped. In no sense am l rival
of anybody. l regarded Washington as de-
sirabe for my line of amusements, and
have built up clientele from the most re-
hned element among WaShingtOnians. |
shall do the same in Baltimore. There was
and Is room here for my theater. and the
small cost of admission to it does not count
with theater-goers who desire to witness
worthy dramatic attractions. Moreover
should another vaudeville house be oper-
ated here. 1 do not consider that 1t would
be in any sense a competitor of mine
Although the fag end of the theatrical
season is approaching, some very strong at
fractions are yet to come. After the Bos-
tonans the New National Theater will have
Nat Goodwin, season of grand OPERA
Viola Allen, Mrs. Langtry, the Lyceum
Theater Stock Company and T. H. Sothern
in 1.-The Sunken Bell" The Columbia will
have the Rogers brothers, Hanlon brothers
new spectacle, Weber and Fields for one
night, and possibly Francis Wilson In a big
revival of ''Erminie" and DeWolf Hopper
Preparations for summer attractions are
under discussion, but no definite plans have
| been arranged by any house Blanche
Bates and ]. II. Gilmore have both been
discussed by rumor in connection with a
Columbia Theater enterprise. The La
fayette Square has had the organization
OF stock company in mind.
May Irwin. with all her jollity, has her
serious moments, and she talks very seri-
ously indeed on that topic which got good
Mrs. Kendall into SO much difficulty, the
social status of the actress.
Does the fact that a woman follows the
stage for profession debar her from the
society of ladies and gentlemen" she ex-
claimed one night this week. II am glad
believe to be the social position Of an ac-
tress. Notwithstanding that the interviewer
has been at large for several years, there
are people who still believe the surround
ings of a stage life are SO Bohemian as to
unit an actress to mingle in good society
wish these people would make a round Of
this city's first-class theaters some night
and point out the dreadful temptations
that beset the actress. From my own ex-
perience would say that the visitor would
find number Of business women conduct
ing themselves in most business-like
fashion.
THE social position of an actress is In her
own hands. 1t is exactly what she makes
1t. If she pursues her calling as workers
| in other branches Of art pursue theirs-mod-
est, yet appreciating her own merits, avoid
| ing notoriety and leading an honorable life
her social position is ready for her. When
society says Of an actress, I met Miss
blank at dinner the other evening. 1 was
astonished! She was SO unlike an actresS!' =
depend upon 1t, there is no question about
the social status of that woman, for trans
| lated, that remark means: Miss Blank was
| dressed quietly and In good taste; her voice
| was subdued. her manners unobtrusive, her
| appearance, conversation and demeanor
just the same as those Of any other gentle.
| woman.
| This Is my answer to the formidable uues-
ton that has been put to me: What is the
| nnStfi0n on