Evening star., 1901-09-21
COMING ATTRACTIONS.

NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-The" cat
mosphere' Of Leo Ditrichstein's new play,
THE Last Appeal" is one quite new to
our stage. The scenes are all taken from
actual points in Austria, and the charac-
ters introduced are all typical in way of
present day life in that brilliantly colorfuI
country. There is no modern society more
cultured and gay than that which centers
in Vienna and Buda Pesth, and it is from
the smart people of these far-off capitals
that the young Hungarian-American actor
dramatist has chosen the personages for
this his latest and most ambitious work
the royal residence there that Ditriehstein
sets the last act of his new play, with all
the typical characters and cOStuming GUS
tomary at functions in this most exclusive
and elegant court of modern Europe 1.-The
Last Appeal commences it's engagement
of one week at the National Theater Mon
day night, coming here from Philadelphia
where scarcely more than a week ago it
enjoyed an exceptionally auspicious pre-
miere. To such as may assume from the
title that 'The Last Appeal Is melo-
drama, the author himself says, in contra
diction: MY new play is romance-modern
romance-pure and simple. The story from
real life which inspired me in this work
was one of rare nobility and beauty" The
inspiration he refers to was furnished by
the moving story Of Crown Prince Rudolph
Of Austria and Baroness Vetsera, who, not
being able to marry honorably in the eyes
Of the world through the gulf in the social
estates, chose the alternative of suicide.
They were found together asleep in death
at Castle Myerlfng, in Hungary, some
twelve years ago. But Ditrichstein does
not end his play tragically. He has used
the precedent recently furnished by Ferdi-
nand d'Este the present deposed crown
supply happy ending. This twain, also
widely separated in worldly position,
braved tremendous opposition-imperial and
otherwise-and married. Ferdinand was re-
sl1l -
iious spirit. but by the truth and stead
factness of their love the king finally ac-
knowledged Sophie ChOteck as the lawful
wife Of Ferdinand. and gave her position
at court and tardy honor in the world 8
eyes. Ferdinand likewise was restored to
all his titles and honors at court, the sue
cession to the throne alone being withheld
Ditrichstein's intense story really follows
the Ferdinand-Choteck romance much more
closely than that of Rudolph and Vetsera,
though the latter supplied the original in
spiration. The king "a thinly yelled dramat-
ic embodiment Of august Emperor Francis
JoSeph) is introduced in the play with sew
eral courtiers familiar enough on the con-
tinent. The Interpreting company includes
Frank Mordaunt Robert Drouet, Fred'k
Hartley. Edwin Brandt, E. w. Morrison.
c. Turner. ]. c. Fenton, Geo. c. Boniface,
Guy Wentworth. Eleanor Carey Anne
Sutherland. Clara Louise Glendinning,
Myrtle Vinson and Kate Hassett.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-Monday even
ing Klaw & Erlangers Troubadours will
appear in Harry B. Smiths new musical
comedy, THE Liberty Bells" at the CO.
lumbia Theater, remaining one week and
presenting matinee performances Thursday
and Saturday afternoons. This is one Of
the most important musical organizations
formed for the current season and numbers
among its players such artists Of conspicu-
GUS talent as Harry Davenport. John Sla-
vim, Harry Gilfoil, J. C. Marlowe, u. Mack
Lomsden, L. D. Wharton. Nat X. Cafferty.
Edward Pooley, Eta Butler. Sandol Milli-
Faust, Pauline Chase. Margaret Walker,
Grace Kimball, Edith Barr, Marie Tuohey,
Dorothy Lester, Helene Lucas, Marie MUIR
ply, Crissie Carlysle. Violet Jewell, Bob
Katharine Roberts and Esther Lyons. The
title roles Of Margery Lee, stage-struck
girl, and Dorothy Grey. very much in love,
are played by Eta Butler, widely known
for her exceptional abilities as a mimic.
and Sandol Milliken, the beautiful young
actress and vocalist, who formerly sup
ported William II. Crane in his comedies
Last season she sang In the DeAngelis
Opera Company, practically her first expe-
rience In musical productions. The leading
male roles are impersonated by Harry Da-
venport, long identified with the New York
Casino musical hits; Harry Gilfoil. the &C.
and ]. g. Marlowe. From the standpoint
Of talent this company Is a conspicuouslv
well equipped organization.
Mr.. Smiths comedy Is constructed on
somewhat original lines. He has eliminated
the chorus, SO called. long feature of mu-
sical efforts Of this character, and in its
place has substituted sixteen characters
who have definite places and purposes In
the story. This he has done on the theory
that the public has tired Of autor1atic
chorus work. The selections of the play
ers for these parts were very carefully
made. Klaw & Erlangers Troubadours
H%nv al - farIS IL
sition bf feminine beauty.
Mr.. Smiths new comedy is entirely nu-
morous and Is presented In three acts The
scenes represent dormitory In young