Evening star., 1901-10-12


story to a successful career. Frank Dan
!els' speech about "Paleczoic cosmogeny
and infinitesimal microcosm" brought down
the house every night. 1t is one of the best
things in the performance. The perform
auce was continually under the eye or
Kirke LaShelle and as the week wore On
it became much smoother. The minstrels
were cordially received, Primrose being the
same fashion plate favorite and Lew Dock
stadar displaying his accustomed industry
in calling attention to the funny side OF
local. national and universal affairs Dock
stader has been described as the human
waste basket His pockets are always h!led
with scraps of paper on which are scrlbbied
suggestions for current comment or tr0pl-
cal verses.
I've got to hurry in my business. he re-
marked with pathos. ''One of my best
places for study is the hack. during our
street parade. l can memorize my new
songs there better than anywhere else l
suppose it is merely a habit 1 have gotten
into
A new deal not yet noted in New York,
IS on the tapis for next season. Lillian
Russell is said to be desrous of returning
to her career as a prima donna. in order
not TO become too closely identified with
music hall work, and De Wolf Hopper Is
not according to report, content to remain
a fixture in line of parts which assuredly
do not show him to such advantage as ne
had in straight comic opera. A joint starring
tour is now being planned for the big come
dian and the handsome songstress under
liberal and experienced management. Such
a detection would make serious gap in
the Weber and Fields ranks. but it is pos
sible that Peter Daney's success in Cham
pagne Charley is not so overwhelming as
to make him Indifferent to liberal induce
ments to go back TO the fold
Great success is reported for Richard
Mansfeld's opening in "Beaucaire" in Phil
adelphia last Monday night. The occasion
witnessed the first presentation of the play
on any stage and also the opening of the
new playhouse. the Garrick Theater. Bids
of as much as $50 a seat were registered
by frst-nighters, Mr.. Mansfield will bring
the play to Washington before it opens its
New York season which begins December 3.
Charles B. Hanfords season in a spec
tacular revival of The Tanning of the
Shrew' was opened last Thursday at Lam
caster. Pa. with every evidence of extra
ordinary success. According to reports the
crowd was so large that it was necessary
TO put the orchestra under the stage, and
some of the prominent people of the city
VINO came late were invited by Mr.. Han
ford to see the performance from the
wings. The supporting company provided
by Delcher and Brennan, Mr.. Hanfords
present managers, was warmly approved
the work Of the leading lady. Helen Grant
ly being particularly effective. The scenery
and costumes are exceedingly elaborate.
Maud Adams opened her season last
-4x-L- -
Ohio. before a large audience. Her new
play, Quality Street is by J. M Barrie
II is in four acts and tells quantity pretty
love story. Miss Adams role is that of
Phoebe Throssell-'Phoebe of the Ring
let's" a most enthusiastic reception is re-
ported.
Clyde Fitch, playwright extraordinary,
an American who loves America and loves
to reproduce her people in his plays; who
looks not unlike a luxuriously fed D'Ar-
tagnan. even in his mOdish clothes and
with some Of the careless swagger of body
of the Dumas fiction, arrived in town this
morning with the company headed by Miss
Elsie De Wolfe which is to present at the
Columbia Theater on next Tuesday even
ing for the first time any stage his new
est play. The Way of the World
1t has been said that Mr.. Fitch resembles
Rostand- Whoever thinks so is nearsight-
ed. Fitch's mustachios do look strikingiy
like those of "CyranO's" author. But the
resemblance btween Americas most prolific
living dramatist and Rostand ends there
Rostand's expression is that Of an ascetic;
Fitch's that of a sybarite. Only a pro-
nounced stoop of the shoulders betrays
Fftchs devotion to his desk. Rostand
weighs about 40; Fitch about 200.
Star man caught Mr.. Fitch as he was
alighting from coach of the Pennsylvania
system just in from New York
The dramatist was disinclined to talk
about himself or his work-said he believed
the public could not possibly be Interested
in anything playwright might say. save
when he said it on the stage
And not then always"
And not then always. surely" the p;ay
maker answered refiectively; and some
times never" he added.
But you have been singularly success
full" the scribe pursued.
But have had my share of manase1ia ial
Indifference 1t is true the public was a.
once cordial"
Did you have much trouble getting your
first play accepted?'
The right word TO express the emotion
est is not trouble but suffering"
America IS not welcoming with eager
arms, then. the native maker of plays
good plays-new plays?"
1T isn't that; IL is the variety Of taste
found in different individuals Managers
are individuals. What sways one has no
interest whatever for another An aithoc
often encounters nine temperaments out Of
sympathy with his matter before ne fuds
the tenth manager sympathetic"
You have had that experience?,
with Beau Brummer until I had b.,,,,
to believe that, after all. the nine mar
ayers were really friends in the conyiction
they were building within me that I really
did not possess the art of play making,
And after that?"
THE way was not so difficult; vet II was
by no means easy" S
what play turned the tide?"
The Moth and the Flame"
Enthusiasts are calling you the Sardou
of America"
Are they?" The tone of the query was
one of mild surprise. the expression a.
companying IL thoughtful. Perhaps Ssr-
dou may not like that" Mr.. Fitch con-
cluded.
When The Way of the World is pro-
duced 1t win make the sixth play of yours