The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-09
THE PLAYER FOLK.


been in progress under the personal d.
reetion Of the pIaywright-m
Six cars were required to transport
the company and the scenery, together
with the great mass of properties that
VIII De IN evidence when the new piece is
played for the first time at the National
Theatre Wednesday night.
Mr. Belasco is not saying much re-
gardlng his play. but persons who have
witnessed the Tehearsals aver that it viii
prove the greatest production ever pre-
scented on an American stage, and will
set pace for other managers that even
the most courageous will fear TO follow.
BeIasco is generally known as a money
sDender where the production of a play
IS concerned, but It is said that IN ''Du
Barry" he has simply squandered money
in true spendthrift style
The average theatrical production of
importance-oue that requires a special
equipment OF scenery and costumes
costs IN the neighborhood of $50, 900 be-
fore the first performance gives an idea
OF what returns may be expected, but in
'-Du Barry Mr.. Belasco is reputed to
have spent over $40, 600. To the iayInan
such an expenditure is almost inconceiy-
able, but it should be remembered that
Mr.. BelascO has purchased much furni-
ture and the like. the personal posses
sions of the beautiful countess herself,
and such souvenirs cost a pretty sum,
especially when one wants them and the
owner is aware of the fact.
Anyway, when the curtain is lifted at
the National Theatre Wednesday night
and Westinghouse settle back in their
seats, prepared to enjoy Mrs Carter and
her new vehicle, they viii no doubt see
more extensive equipment of scenery and
stage settings than has been presented
IN any other theatrical production
Frank Martineau is in the city making
preparations for the appearance at the
National, next week, of the Rogers Bro
theirs in Washington" the new play
which has proved to be the most success
full of any Of the series OF comedies that
John J. McNaIIy has furnished for the
use Of the German funmakeTs.
Local theatTegoers who recall Maurice
Lewis songs, The Innocent Maid and
When Reuben Comes to Town viii be
pleased to learn that Mr. Levi has mar
ried the maid and the Reuben. and his
new song. The Wedding OF the Reuben
and the Maid is even more popular tEaa
any OF its predecessors, and is one Of the
big features Of the Rogers Brothers
show
The last two weeks of pair of the
most successful performances on Broad
way are announced They are David
WarheId's The Auctio1eer"' and John
Drew in The Second in Command. g"
The success of WarheId has been one
OF the great surprises OF the year. for
with a play that was maniCesJIy poor at
the start. in New Haven. the former He
brew impeTsoDator Of the Weber < Fields
Co has been greeted with crowded
houses from the very first performance
at the Bijou Theatre.
Lee Arthur and Charles Klein are pro-
grained as the authors Of The Auc-
tioneer," but as a matter OF fact. had
Wardeld offered the play as II was writ
ten By these two dramatists his stay on
Broadway would have indeed been brief.
After the first production f The Auc-
tioaseT" David Belasco, Warfeld's man
ager- decided something radical would
have 70 be done with the work Of Messrs-
Arthur and Klein and before the end OF
the week The AUctioueeF' did not re-
sembIe the original in any way, and in
Il should be stated that by the
time 5Ir. BeIasco's work was completed
the reviews Of the piece took on q more
favorable tone
John Drew has been forgiven Tor his
Richard CarveI" crime, and IN The
Second in Command is generally report
ed 10 have the best play that he has been
supplied with for several seasons
Drew is booked for an early appearance
IN this city after the close OF his New
York engagement
There is hardly manager but who
likes 20 visit Washington. If for no other
reason than to experience the delights
of handling new Treasury notes Theat-
Tical directors have never been known
10 refuse currency, no matter what its
condition may be, but when they come
- q 1-a-
gers viii not be soiled by old Treasury
bills.
Fred Mayer. manager Of the Mann-Lip-
man Company, at the Columbia TLAatre
las week. however. had an experience
three years ago that makes him Bit
ct,%Ty Of taking away with him new Teas
u.y certificates. At the time Mr. Mann
and Miss Lipman played The Girl IN
the Barracks" at the Columbia. Mr.. Stein.
the treasurer OF the theatre. II settling
up with Mr. Mayer paid him S10G0 in the
neEly-issued $50 certificates
The sight Of so many handsome Bureau
Of Engraving Autographs delighted the
artistic soul of Manager Mayer. and he
determined to hold on TO them as long
as possible
But at the next city visited by the
company-it was PTovi- |
dence. R I-MT- Mayer found il neces-
sary 20 have some Of the money changed |
into smaller denominations. TO pay the I
salaries OF his actors and actresses.
DE went into the First National Bank !
of Providence and politely asked the |
cashier II he would accommodate him by |
changing S598 Of the new notes
Instantly the man behind the counter |
brought into play his Sherlock Holmes |
talents
Hum, he murmuTed, while he reached /
for magnifyiug glass, ''bUm-where did 1
you get these?"
In Washington" replied Mr. Mayer. in |
surprise. and not at all liking tie tone |
in which the question was asked
s'Ah. yes, and OF whom do you remem-
ber?'
MIR. Stein" answered the manager
I see. And do you know this Mr.. Stein |
very welI?''
'.weII. no. said Mr. Mayer. Ito be per
'ectIy honest, I never met him until last |
week
--Hum-y-e-s. we'll I'm sorry. but |
cannot give you any change.
And why not" asked the theatrical !
man. in great surprise.
We'll, principally because I don't hap
pen to have change enough, was the /
bankers evasive explanation
1.-The way in which that cashier treat
ID me-" said Mr.. Mayer, in relating the /
Incident, the other night, made me feel
ike a thief or something of the kind, al
hough 1 am not just certain what q
.hiefs sensations are, but I assure you,
nine were mighty uncomfortable There
must be some sort of teIepathic communi-
al ton between the bank officials of Prov
dence." continued Mr.. Mayer, 'foT in the /
next bank I sought change for my new, /
ovely unsullied notes, I met with a sim /
lar experience, although in this place I /
was not exactly certain If they we're go