Evening star., 1901-11-02
Lafayette sduare Theater,

The Bellows Stock Company will revive
De Mile & Belasco's society play, 1.-THE
WIFE," at the Lafayette next week. Num-
bered among the most successful produc-
tions Of American playwrights, it ought to
be one OF thasmost interesting things theat-
rical yet attempted by the stoc kcompany.
When the play was produced at the Lyceum
Theater, New York, nearly a decade ago it
proved to be one Of the sensations of t5e
year. The Lyceum up to that time had
been regarded as very doubtful piece of
theatrical property. Daniel Frohman had
just gathered about him the Lyceum The
ater Stock Company, which included in its
membership such artists as Georgia Cav
Mrs. Whiffen, Herbert Kelley Nelson
Wheatcroft, w. ]. LIE Moyne and others
who have since achieved high places in the
history Of the native drama Yet with all
this array of talent the wiseacres shook
their heads and declared the enterprise
would never be go. With but little blow
ing of trumpets, and scarcely any prelirni-
nary announcement, THE Wife" was pro-
duced as the piece de resistance The story
of it's great success Is known to eyery one
who makes any pretense of keeping In touch
with such matters. For more than wear
1t was sufficiently strong theatrical mag
net to attract audiences which largely over
taxed the limited accommodations of the
little playhouse, and the Lyceum at one
bound became the most exclusive place of
amusement In all New York The play in
way was pioneer in what has since
come to be styled comedy drama The
authors followed up their first success by
writing and producing The Charity Ball !"
which was equally successful Since then
Mr.. Belasco's name has been associated
with many great successes, but 1.-THE Wife
will always be green in the memory of
those who are fond of those plays in which
the characters seem to be real men and
women.
''The Wife" tells story Of absorbing in
terest from the very start. Fertile in dra-
matte incident it abounds in telling situa-
tions. It was presented here with the orig
inal cast some years ago and later present.
ed in stock.
The cast as announced by Mr.. Bellows
has provided every individual member of
the company with part that would seem
to fit him. White WhittleSey, as John Ruth
erford, has his first real Opportunity of
demonstrating his worth in a part fully in
keeping with his position as leading man of
the organization. John T. Sullivan will ap-
pear as Mathew Culver, polished viii
lain of the latter-day type. Harry Corson
Clarke is to play the old war horse, Major
Homer O. Putnam. while Mr.. Frederic Sui
iivan Is cast for the light comedy role of
Jack Dexter. Francis Powers, who is rof
only finished stage maanger, but an ex-
cellent actor, has part at least WORTHY
of his well known abilities. in Silas TIM
man. The role Of Robert Gray will intro
a o.
QUESTION to the stock company in the ner
son of Don w. Orr. Harry c. BraiIex as
Mr.. Randolph completes the cast so far ss
the men are concerned Miss Lawrence &C
Helen Truman has strong emotional. pa RI !:
Katherine Clinton. as the adventures I,,,-
cile Ferrant, is equally well provided for.
Chase's~Theater.
Next week "a, Trip to Chinatown" which
will be remembered as the chief success OF
the Introductory season of last summer
will be the attraction at Chase,s Tbeata,
"A Trip to Chinh htownp enjoyed the longest
and most profitable run in New Yor,. of ali
the Idoyt comedies. 1t is not his most
thoughtful play. It Is purely vaudeyille
Offering. In the presentation to be made at
chase's next week Otis Harlan will again
personate Welland Strong, undoubtedlv ono
of the most unique Of the Hoyt Characters
which is especially l,suited to his own
healthy personality. Ben Gay. the SNORT V
old boy, who does not sport will once
more be in the care of John w. Dunne
Mary Marble will have her favorite part Of
Willie Grow Agnes Rose Lane. the new
leading woman, viii be given opnort,,nitw y
to show her versatility in the sprighfly role
Of Mrs. Guyer, as contrasted with her mora
dignified part in "A Contented Woman.
AS stated before. the performances win
abound in vaudeville In all fiftaerr
carefully selected numbers win be pre-
sented A specially-engaged attraction
will be found In the Ford Sisters
two danseuses whose saltatorial effects are
said to be unconventional Little Chin,
essentially q yaudesiilian, will be allowed
free license In the display Of his coinicali-
ties. anG he promises a surprise In at least
one speciality Mr. Harlan will hs heard
singfv in his osya favorife aBohbi1aa Ill
and Down Like Flais. Miss Lane and ne