The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-09
THE PASSING SHOW.

LIE L DuVWs
One Of the lesser performers in 1.-THE
Belle of Bohemia" which will be seen
during the week at the Columbia Thea
ire, will be Fred Titus. The appearance
of Mr.. Titus with the frolicsome young
men and women from the Casino, New
Yorks famed home of lingerie art, would
not excite comment under ordinary con-
ditions, and were it not for the fact that
Mrs. Titus. known TO the stage as Edna
May, Will appear at the National Theatre
at the same time in new musical piece
designed especially to set off her accom-
plishments. And while Mrs. Titus name
will be printed in bold-face type on the
programme, the appearance of her hus-
band will cause the mere announcement
that he participates in several of the
choruses, along with a score OF other am
bilious young gentlemen.
When Edna Mays father. one Petite, a
man of stern, patriotic instincts, who is
not ayerse to drawing monthly stipend
from the Government for delivering
mailed missiyes to his townspeople of
Syracuse, heard of his daughters ambi-
ton to go on the stage several years
ago, he set the proverbial parental iron
heel on the proposition and the measure
for the while was laid on the table. But
the Edna Petite of the Saline City was
most determined miss, and a year or so
after found her in New York. looking
for situation as a chorus girl or any
other position that would entitle her 20
be called an actress. One of these who
assisted her in these early struggles was
Sylvia Thorne, who had a brother, Fred
Titus by name, who was a bicycle rider
of the first class and whose many ac-
complishments were evidenced In the
shape of divers medals which he wore
prominently displayed on his sweater.
When Miss May and the bicyclist met
it was the old tale of instantaneous af-
lection. For year or two there was
nothing Objectionable found with the
family name of Titus, until in single
night the wearied theatregoers of New
York discovered new prima donna in
The Belle of New York" whose name
according to the programme. vas Edna
May. From the EeXt morning when the
newspapers devoted considerable valua-
BILE space to the Violet Grey of the Casino
show, Miss May evidenced n strong dis
inclination to appear in the company OF
her husband at recherche society func-
tions. The histrioHic triumphs of the
Salvation lassie in London further con-
WINGED her that she was out of her social
sphere so long as her legal name was
Titus. and this led TO a suit for selara-
ton, which has not yet been decided.
Miss May has the reputation of being
an exceedingly frigid young woman-that
is. as regards her manner as exhibited
behind the footlishts. In the performance
in which she will figure largely tomorrow
night Miss May will appear as a beau-
tful princess of the northern region, who
has been embedded in a pinnacle of fee
for almost countless ages, and while the
necessarily chilly atmosphere Of the scene
of the play may be properly displayed on
the opening night. the stage director OF
The Girl from Up There" would be wise
in his day were he to bring Mr.. Titus and
Miss May together on the stage of the
National for q few moments before the
doors are opened. Mufllers and warmed
bricks might be thOughtfully distributed
among the spectators and coryza fur
nished free of any cost, beyond the pur-
chase of seat coupon.
Last night, in Madame Sans Gene"
Blanche Bates said farewell to Washing
toplans as member of Mr. Berger's
Lafayette Theatre Stock Company, and
will this week give way to Miss Percy
Hnswell. who was with the Columbia
stock organization last spring and who
was more recently seen here with Otis
Skinner in Prince Otto"
Miss Bates is one of the most popular
actresses who visit this city. and ever
since the first night Of The Dancing
Girl" when sh, appeared as a member
of the Frawley company, the regard OF
local theatre patrons for her has steadily
Increased She is always to be relied
upon to give splendid performance and
reviewers invariably recognize her worth
as a stock actress. In following in Miss
Bates footsteps Miss Haswell may be
truly said to have most difficult task,
but the new leading lady of the Lafayette
is known to be thorough. ac-
tress. one who in her methods is the very
antithesis of her predecessor, and who.
too. occupies an exalted position In the
esteem Of Washington lovers of the thea
tire.
There was very pretty scene on the
stage Of the Academy last night after the
final curtain OF Madame Sans Gene"
when the different members of the stock
company surrounded Miss Bates and
wished her a fond goodbye and ever SO
many good wishes for success In the