The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-31
THE PASSING SHOW.

THE PASSING SHOW.
An event to which theatrical Washing
ton Invariably looks forward with great
pleasure and anticipation is the annual en-
gaSement of Annie Russell, one of Charles
Frohman's most artistic and delightful
stars. Miss Russell has been called charm
ing, refreshing. and dainty along with
all their synonyms, until the supply of
adjectiyes has been weli-nigh exhausted
In describing her. The best part of il
seems to be that they all fit her like the
proverbsl glove, and she is greeted regu-
larry by large audiences, composed for
the most part OF The ultaa- IA hionable set
at the Capital. Miss Russell combines the
art of the actress With the charm of the
woman closely that 1T is difficult to
say just which predominates. Then she
is usually surrounded by a splendid com
pany. at whose hands the play receives
its best Interpretation.
Il made my debut when / was eight
years DID," said Miss Russell to Times
representative one nightsdaring the week,
as one OF two childrens IN Il play called
Miss Moulton.' and with The exception Of
three years of invalidism | have been act
ing ever since. | am perfectly charmed
with my present play, and particularly
with my part. The princess Is very
iovable woman and very real. with much
more character to her credit than Miss
Hobbs. whom | impersonated last year.
Miss Hobbs was intensely amusing, but
exaggerated, and at times she came very
near being a caricature.'
The interviewer eEquired of Miss Rus
sell how she liked beings up a tree. hut
quickly explained that q scene in the
play was referred to.
oh. il seems quite natural and not the
=
] do that sort of thing very often when
can get far enough away from the pub
lie. j am extremely fond of outdoor eX-
erCise of all kinds | enjoy horseback
riding immensely and am enthusiastic
sailor. I'm afraid, though, that ! shall
have little opportunity to indulge in any
thing of the sort this year. FOR | have
but ten weeks vacation and il is all too
short. We close the latter part of May
and in August start on our way to the
Pacific Coast ] am very anxious to play
in England again, for when l was there
everybody treated me so beautifully that
| shall be very glad TO go back. / was
born in Liverpool, SO 1t is rather natural
that | should feel an interest in England.
"A Royal Family was produced there
before being given in this country, and
Miss Hobbs saw the light of day in
London after its American success, so /
shall have TO have new play before
across the water, for | could
not afford to take an old one. "A Royal
Family was not success there, al
though it has been Just the reverse in
America. We played phenOmenally
successful six months engagement at the
Lyceum Theatre, New York, last fall and
after the Western trip we viii return to
that house for run, during which a new
play VIII be put in rehearsal. the name
of which is not for publication just vet.
As to any other plans, have none. Like |
any other actress. | am anxious to play |
hut then one never knows |
what one may do. Some future day,
maybe ! shall find myself playing Juliet. |
but ! really cannot see that far, ana its |
best not to be too curious, after all
Herbert Kelley and Ene Shannon have
failed at Wallacks Theatre. New York. |
IN what the critics say is a bad dramati- |
sation Of "Manon Lescaut" Sundrv other |
lramatiZations are now threatened and |
Nanon promises to loom up as the craze |
leNt season quite as Nell Gwynn has been
his season.
1t ie worth noting. by the way. that |
Hartley and George Taggart |
made a dramatic version of the famous
lOVei last summer for Beryl Hope. and |
HE Will probably produce it soon. Their |
.crsion Is said TO possess real dramatic
-aluc. which. according TO the critics
he Kelley Shannon does not.
sandol Miliken, who has made hit
IS jefferson De Angels leading lady in
y Royal Rogue has been acclaimed ms
wonder for one who leaped into musical
'omedy strategic from the legitimate
rama. But the knowing ones who have |
written he: down as such do not seem to
ecall that she served an apprenticeship
n the late Augustin Days musical com
ANY, than which no school could have
zen better.
The Amelia Bingham company will re-
main practically intact, next season. Miss
bingham having extended her contracts
With the principal members of the organ
Zation now appearing in The Climbers"
I the Biiou Theatre. Those re-engaped |
include Robert Edeson. Frank Worthing
ferdinand Gottschalk. John Flood lanes
bennett Stureis. Edward MoreIand
iehry Warwick. Minnie Dupree Clara |
:loodgood. Madge Carr Cook. and Flor
nee Lloyd
Charles Dalton, the leading man of The
ign Of the Cross company. says regard
~ the influence Of Wilson Barretts cele-
rated religious play ON the modern dra-
IA:
When Mr.. Barrett announced an eIabo-
ate and costly production of The Sign
( the Cross at the Lyric Theatre some
We years ago. the unanimous prophecy ,
( those considered an authority on the
triCal matters was that the piece would |
G dire failure. The public doesn't want 1
sligion in it's amusement. Ii goes To The |
neatre not 10 learn a lesson. but to he {
mused.' they asserted.
Had this prophecy been realized do |
OF believe that such books as Ben Hur' l
nj QUO Vadls' would have been drama {
zed. while thousands of clergymen and
aligious people would still be strangers $
the inside of a theatre. instead of com
lending as they now are. the productiop
( plays that instruct and amuse at the /
ime time Theatrical managers. like d
Their shrewd business men. invest their !
Ioney where they think 1t will bring the l.
Irgest returns They produce the kind |
+ plays that in their estimation. will
est please the public. The men who |
ould not have considered for a moment | /
lie production of The Sign Of the Cross
hen II was unknown were impressed
ith the desirabiity of catering to The | /
known .