The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-03


aged affairs. in which the pieces have been
kept a-going simply through a tremendous
loss OF money.
This matter of Washington not caring
for a New York verdict has never been
better illustrated than in the ease of De
Wolf Hopper's visit to this city in 1.-The
Charlatan,' after what was generally SUD
posed to be the worst comic opera failure
of two seasons ago. Washingtonians went
to see the comedian and his opera in large
numbers, and they were pleased. with the
result that the engagement was one of the
most successful of the season. There have
been several other instances, all tending
to emphasize the same point. And So II
the latest Harry B. Smith opera did not
do as well as was expected in New York.
the librettist should consult his geography
and recall the fact that there are few
other cities in the country besides Gotham
and that the great majority of them have
a decided fondness for comic opera-even
comic opera OF the Harry B. Smith brand.
Sydney Ellie, who wrote 1.-The Watch on
the Rhine in which AL H. Wilson was
last week introduced as star to local
audiences at the Academy OF Music, ven
lures the belief that this is the golden
age for the native dramatist who owns u
few plays that have proved successes in
merit presentation in the regular the
aires. In his own case, Mr.. Ellis confesses
to the ownership of two plays that have
been popular successes-"In Darkest Rus
STA and Bonnie Scotland" Neither has
been on the road under Mr.. Ellis man
agement for three years, yet within the
past two seasons they have netted their
proprietor over $4,000, and this without
the expenditure of a single dollar, with
the exception Of a small expense for type
writing extra copies.
This prosperity is due to the demand
OF the 10, 20, and 30-cent repertoire
and the stock companies for plays that are
known throughout the country and that
have printing already in the photographic
house racks.
How well 1t pays to be a successful
dramatist under the present order of
things may be ascertained from a perusal
Of the following figures concerning the
royalties demanded for certain plays In
great favor with repertoire and stock
companies just now:
AN American Citizen" royalty for one
week, $500. The Great Ruby" costs 16
per cent of the gross receipts on the first
$4,000 and 81 per cent on the next $4,000.
with bonus of from $3.50 to $500. THE
Prisoner of Zenia'' has cost as high as
one stock company is said to have paid as
high as 81 900 for it, The Charity Ball.
costs $500 a week THE Dancing GirT'
averages from $500 to $500 a week, while
E. NJ. Royle's play, Friends" costs $50
week 1t requires 10 per cent Of the
gross receipts to obtain The Sporting
Duchess a week and similar amount
for the use of Little Lord Fauntleroy."
Sweet Lavender is worth $3.50 week,
while ''Hoodman Blind" is placed at s125.
For the use of Liberty Hail. from 10 to
Is per cent of the gross receipts is ex-
acted, with a guarantee of at least $500.
''Trilby" can be had for $3.50 week, while
there are hal: dozen Nell Gwynnes"
at 500 a week. THE Butterflies" costs
500; THE Young Wife $3.50. a farce
comedy like Why Smith Left Home re-
quires $500 a week to get it, while the
melodrama THE Fatal Card demands
500. THE Moth and the Flame" wants
10 per cent of the gross receipts, with a
guarantee of 5000, while "A Gilded FooI'
is satisfied with 10 per cent of the gross.
OF some OF the other plays. Hazel
Kirke" costs $50. Men and Women"
$500, "A Bachelors Romance" $500, Jim
the Penman'' $3.50, "A Fair Rebel 500.
1.-The Ensign" $50, THE District Attor-
ney'' $3.50, Diplomacy" $500, THE Count
ess Valeska" $500, Paul Kaurar' 5000,
and THE White Heather" 10 per cent Of
the receipts.
Unprotected and uncopyrighted plays
like Quo Vedis?" 'Frou Frou," East
Lynne" Camille" Led Astray," and
others of that calibre cost nothing.
An early attraction at the National The
afro will be John Hare, the well-known
English comedian. who will present the
lot
Quex." which made one of the real sue
cesses Of the present theatrical year when
presented in New York, where ii enjoyed
marked prosperity for eleven weeks. Ac-
companying Mr.. Hare will be Miss Irene
Vanbrugh and the London Globe Theatre
Company. said to be one of the ablest or
CARNATIONS that has ever been brought to
this country by an English player.
the subject of conversation since the
serious affair in the Cuhady family, a
story OF that kind about Jessie Bartlett
Davis, the favorite contralto, may be of
interest. The coming of Mrs. Davis to
Chase's Theatre next week makes the tale
rather apropos.
1t happened in the early days of Robin
Hoods" success, when the singing of oh
Promise Mel" by Jessie Bartlett Davis
One night, in Chicago, at the close of
the evenings performance, Mrs. Davis
leaving her maid to finish few duties
in her dressing room, passed out the rear |
entrance of the theatre and entered what !
she firmly believed TO be her own car /
rage. But the door was closed hurriedly |
and masculine voice said in her ear:
Make no outcry, Mrs Davis, and no |
harm will befall you. In two hours you
will be returned safely to your hotel" |
and proceeded to bind handkerchief |
about her eyes.
Frightened. dazed, and speechless. the |
singer sank back among the cushions |
After what seemed to her long drive /
the carriage paused, and the prima DON
ma felt herself gently guided therefrom
up flight Of steps, through a hall, and |
up another stairway into room, warm, /
and scented with flowers.
Removing the bandage she found her
self alone, and in an apartment rich and |
luxurious. On the piano lay card with |
these words:
Mrs. Davis, the person who is respon- |
sible for your abduction hegs you to par
don him. He is an invalid in the next
room, and it is TO hear you alone, and |
far from worldly distractions and noise /
that he has dared to commit this crime |
Sing for him oh, Promise Me- then re- |
bind your eyes and all will be well"
Mrs. Davis seated herself at the instru-
ment and sang the ballad, as only she can
sing it-every verse full of feeling and
AT It's close she placed the
again about her eyes, felt
herself guided through the house and
once more entered the carriage
God bless you for your goodness"
nurmured the voice that had spoken be-
fore. you are safe at home" As the |