Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-06

-erNOOn chase ntdttT Will open IT'S Ivy
comedy season. and in the evening the La
fayette Square Stock Company will give its
arst production of Uncle Toms Cabin" 1t
seems strange to speak of Uncle Toms
Cabin as a novelty. but it is so long since
anything like a straightforward and pain
stalking performance of the play has been
given that 1t will seem like an innovation.
The hot weather has witnessed a num-
Der of new productions.
George Lederer has once more come to
the front in New York, his elaborate ex-
travaganza production, The Strollers',,
scoring hit the equal of The Belle of
New York The company is unusually
strong in principals. while the chorus Is
said to be the peer of any brought out IN
recent years, both as to looks and vocal
qualifications. While Francis Wilson was
advertised as the principal comedian that
eccentric humorist from the west. Eddie
Foy. made the hit of the first production. his
drolleries as a jailer being irresistiby
funny. The dialogues are brighter than
usual in plays of this sort. while the
sic has that catchy swing which will carry
it into popularity. The scenery is mar
vel of the stage carpenters craft, and if
first predictions mold true. The Strollers''
the best part of next winter
The disposition to make Wilson a sub
ordinate feature of the cast displayed in
about all the newspaper accounts of the
performance is a genuine surprise to the
Comedians admirers. Mr.. Wilson has
never attained any great personal popu-
larity with the members Of the metropoli-
tan press. if the constant filings at his
economical habits to be taken as any
criterion. In spite of the fact that Will
sons name is featured in black type,
there is a remarkable readiness TO award
the rank of chief fun maker to Eddie Foy
Mr.. Wilson has always been known a
reader of books and has even written some
for print. while Foy has bothered himself
but little about Intellectual culture. The
New York public has apparently declared
in favor of Foy. thus affording new evil
dence that book learning does not always
count in theatricals.
prominent eastern manager attended
the initial performance of The Explorers
and although he had Travelled from New
York for the sole purpose Of witnessing
the performance, and contracting for its
presentation at his theater, providing it
was a success. it was noticed that he did
not remain in the theater for the last act,
but nervously stood in front of the thea
ter. his coat and hat one arm and fan
dexteruusy working in the other. and when
approached by Manager w W. Tillotson,
he calmly remarked. Stand here a mo-
msnt. old man. it is too hot for me in that
house: l want TO see if the majority of the
audience that left the theater after the
second act and are Row fighting for fresh
air in the streets will return for the last
act
Two minutes later he anXiOusly remarked:
Come on. Tillotson, let's hustle up to your
Office and sign contracts, l am satisfied
The Explorers is a go all right enough;
tn people want it
Considering the many extraordinary OBJ
stacles that confronted the management of
The Explorers company on the first pres
entatiOn in Chicago it must be accorded
phenomenal theatrical triumph.
The aggregation. with a few exceptions,
We're members of The Burgomaster' COM
pany, who for the past four weeks have
rehearsed from a m until pm. every
day. after which they would barely have
time to get their supper and dress for the
evening performance OF The BurgomaS-
ter"
The weather during this time sim
ply unbearable, and Stage Manager Sam
Forests day book records twenty-three
cases of prostration among his players
ChCagos weather prophet awarded June
the date on winch Inc
received it's initial presentation. 1.-The
wreath of glory for being the hottest day
the windy city has experienced in thirty
years
Many special features required for the
production of Uncle Toms Cabin next
week at the Lafayette. demanded unusual
exertions upon the part of Manager Ber-
ger. but probably nothing caused him more
anxiety than his TOpsy. Half a dozen peo-
pie just missed coming to Washington to
play the role Topsy is a highly amusing
individual. who never was born. but just
e,rowed. 1t Is designated in theatrical par
lance as a rough soubrette role. and, in
deed. there is scarcely another role quite so
fat" in opportunities and yet demanding
so much. Topsy Is full of traditions. Ten
days ago Mr. Berger wrote to New York
asking for a list of available actresses will
ing TO come to Washington and play Top
sy. Among the half dozen names received
was that of Jennie Yeamans. But she was
rusticating in Michigan. and didn't care to
come on Mr.. Arden decided that the per-
son to fill the bill was Louise Galloway. A
telegram was sent her. and she made her
arrangements to come last Sunday. Then
she was Frustrated by the heat. Georgia
Caine might have come on, had IL not been
for the weather which also sent her north
ward TO Canada Then Marion Elmore who
in Chicago. was engaged. On Monday Just
before she started, her father-in-law died
and she wired her withdrawal Tuesday
the New York agent wired that she had
secured the person who would fit the part
exactly. This was Louise Valentine. a
young girl who has been on the stage only
four years. and has been playing in the
companies of H c. BlaEey. While Miss
Valentine has appeared in Washington be-
fore. the best recommendation In the eyes
OF Washingt onians which she brings with
her. is the fact that she Is the daughter of
Ada Boshell. the admirable character act
ress who was specially engaged for one
week only at the Lafayette. in Because
She Loved Him So and scored a hit as the
Irish servant girl. Miss Valentine should
make a record II she Is like her talented
mother.
Otis Harlan has been 80 prominently and
thoroughly identified with the title role In
Hoyt's a Black Sheep" there Is a general
superstition among theater-goers that the
part was written exclusively and originally
for him. 1t Is interesting fact to note
however. that such was not the case
though Harlan. called in to take the char