The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-02
A DULL FOREIGN SEASON.

Amerfcl IN theatrical managers who spent
the summer abroad are quite unanimous
in the assertion that the London and
Paris seasons have been almost unpreee-
dentedly dull and unproductive In the
English metropolis the only attractions
that have made any money are "ZazA, -
with the sunset-crowned Mrs. Carter,
and the Casino Girl" put on somewI at
hurriedly as a successor to the American
Beauty" in which Edna May scored a
stupendous failure. "Zaza" has been re-
tired, and Mrs. Carter has Just returned
from Switzerland, and is now vainly en-
deavoring to escape newspaper reporters
who impudently enquire if she really loves
leading man Stevenson. The Casino
Girl" a rebash of number of Casino
productions, with Mabel Gilman in the
leading role, has scored what appears to
be substantial success. and promises to
surpass THE Belle of New York in pop
uiarity. ,rhe English critics have ex-
hausted their supply of adjectives in de-
scribing Miss Gilman's physical charms
and artistic acting, while Edna May is now
almost forgotten and threatens an inva-
sion of the music halls.
About the only excitement that marked
the London season was aroused by an In
happy little controversy between W. s..
Gilbert and Miss Janet Steer, the Ameri-
can actress manager, about 'Pygmalion
and Galatea." Mr.. Gilbert, an admirable
dramatist. but an unamiable person in
private life, objected to some new bust
ness" which Miss Steer introduced into
the performances of his famous play. AS
she insisted, notwithstanding his some
what peremptory orders, on retaining the
k.. sr,--o raA h.
sistance of the law to protect himself
against the alleged injustice to his work.
The law for once was rather quick and
very sensible. 1t declined to humor Mr..
Gilbert. The whole discussion had the
faintest interest but it filed columns Of
the London newspapers and stirred up
fierce wrangles in some London clubs.
Revivals, and In most cases revivals Of
an inexpensive kind were necessitated in
the Strand by the present indifference OF the
British public to dramatic enterprise Sir
Henry Irving and Miss Ellen Terry reap
peared at their old headquarters, the Ly-
ceum, in OLIVIA" Mrs. Patrick Camp
bell resuscitated Maeterlinck's "Pelleas
and Melissande" at the Royalty. but with
out Forbes Robertson, who severed his re-
lations with the dangerous Mrs Campbell
some time ago. The part of Pelleas was
played by Martin Harvey. who won fame
and much money by enacting Sydney Car
ton in The Only Way" and who is sched-
uled to visit America soon. Mr.. Wyndham
was compelled to fall back on The Liars."
Those of the popular English playwrights
who have new plays ready are waiting fer
war and alarms of war to blow over before
tempting fate again.
prising in matters theatrical this year than
London Revivals of old favorites. most OF
which were seen long ago in America, were
the order OF the day at most Of the thea
tres. Everywhere, too, it may be added,
except at the Theatre Sarah Bernhard,
where IL Aglior." in which Maude Adams
will be seen this season. and which has
proved a financial triumph, managers are
lamenting over the comparative insignifi-
canoe Of the box office receipts. The COM
petition of the Exposition has been too
strong for the theatres to contend against.
Two novelties of some interest were. how
ev~- produced in Paris.
The first is a version of Jose Eche-
garay sensational drama. lei Loco Dios. -
1t does not show the gifted author of Eel
Gran Galeoto" at his best, but it has I'M
queshonably the merit OF originality. The
subject of the play is the love of Fuen-
tasanta, a wealthy young widow, for a man
OF high character. whom, after marrying.
she discovers to be mad. Fuen-
tasanta's parents try to separate her from
her husband but she clings to him, hop
ing against hope that her love will be suf-
ficiently powerful to conquer the hero's
insanity. Her devotion is Llrswarded, Tor
one night the mailman sets fire to the
house inhabited by his father-iu-law and
r1other-in-Iay As the NAV ends he an
pears on the roof. holding the heroine in
his arms and defying-not the lightning
but the flames he has kindled. There is no
moral.
The second novelty is a pseudo historical
drama, by Nine. To'a Dorian, entitled ''Le
Precurseur,' suggested by incidents in the
life Of King James | of Scotland a car
acter of whom most Englishmen ard more
Americans know very little. Withal, this
dead and buried Scottish sovereign had
qualities that should commend him to the
attention of students. He was an altruist
who came into the world before altruism
had grown fashionable. He is shown in
the play as striving to better the condition
of his subjects, and to free them from the
tyranny of the great feudal lords. His
premature liberalism naturally angers
those gentlemen. and, after a struggle. in
which James succeeds in making things
decidedly warm for his adversaries, he is
trapped arrested. and slain by an insur-
gent chieftain. Robert Graeme, who, in the
last act, expiates his crime on the rack
The torture scene recalls an episode in
La Tosea"
THE NOVEL ON TEE STAGE.
If rnanagarial Drnmizes count for ausht