The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-10

being bis fathers son, he ought to be n
gooo actor without an exception this
I youngster Is the worst actor I have ever
| seen in my life. Still, for his fathers
sake. as well as his own, I'd like you TO
| employ him.
The young man came to me and re-
hearsed. After seeing him I had to ad-
nit that for once John Mccullough had
spoken literally. The young man left
very sick at heart. He was z. H. Sothern.
and the young woman 1 spoke of was Miss
Lillian RUSSELL.
Among the managers of New York thea
tres there is just now considerable spec
ulation as to where the attractions are
coming from to fiji up their time in the
future. The situation seems indeed to
be In the nature of play famine. Thus,
while the gentlemen who compose what
is variously known as the theatrical
syndicate" and theatrical trust are be-
ing widely accused OF Indignantly op-
pressing players and managers outside
their own circle. they are really scramb-
ling for material to place before their
patrons.
Charles Frohman is making ready to
produce ITO Have and To Hold at the
hniekerbocker Theatre, not because he
~ishes 10 bring out any more plays this
season. but for the reason that there Ia
absolutely no suitable entertainment anv-
MEere IN sight for that playhouse At
WailackS IL had been thought thar
janice Meredith" would run an winter
but when the grip came to New York and
kept thousands of playgoers at home.
Manager Frank Mckee gave six weeks
hotlce OF the close of his engagement.
ana the theatre management has sincs
a. mn cyaer In,
a substitute. At the Broadway. Madison
Square, Victoria and probably one or two
other piayhouses. there is more or less
peFpiexity regarding this very Interest,"
ing problem, from which II will be seen
that II is one thing TO control theatres
anu quite another matter TO keep them
supplied with attractions.
FOR next season the outlook Is not much
more comforting. Two of the best ray
ing stars in America. Nat C. Goodwin
and William H. Gillette. are going TO Ion-
don to remain all winter. fact THAT will
OIL Itself open up sixty weeks OF time in
the irst-ciass theatres OF the PRINCIPAL
cities. Mr. SOthern. too, has been talking
OF going abroad and If he does the situa-
ton will be more complicated. or
course, new attractions must be manu-
Iaetured to take the places of those men,
TONED, but at a preiod when even thu
ment resorts are bothered as here de-
scrIbed, it can scarcely be said that. in
the rhymers words, Every prospect
pleases.''
Robert Downing has sheIved hi; reper-
toire in favor of 1.-THE Seventh Command
ant. a new play written by Edwards
Davis, member Of the company. but who
was al one time a minister
The dramatization of W. H. Cranes
play. David Harum." was made by r.
and VI. ". Hitchcock and in transplant
ing the story from the leaves OF the hook
TO the stage they were careful to take
few liberties with Mr.. westeott's work.
Into three acts the play is divided. and all
OF the scenes are laid in bonneville. New
YORK In the first act. the audience sees
David's bank on one side Aunt PoIly's
mouse across she road. and, in the back
ground the big barn wherein David kept
his horses. All of the familiar charac-
ters are quickly introduced. There is
Dayid's faetotum, Dick Barrabee. and Dug
robinson who drives me stase up from
the depot Then comes that miserable old
skin-fint. 'zeke Swinney, and, shortly
after the poor little Widow Cullom. the
'elict of Billy p. Mary Blake then puts
II an appearance, and here Is where the
'nly liberty that is taken with the story
s introduced. She comes to bonneville
o get position in the public school. she
having suddenly learned that for years
she was dependent on General Wolsey.
Her Independence asserted itself and she
determined to earn her own living. She
vent to bonneville because her mother
was buried near there, and. well. because
she knew that after the death of his
'ather. John Lenox went to work in David
1arum's bank. John Lenox comes into
'iew and SO does pert little Chef Timson.
There is old Aunt Polly. and stopping
along comes the village tough Bill Mon
-aig.
Crane makes his first entrance as Harum
behind that pesky critter the bay boss.
which has been giving him a DUN
Tough time Of it, on the river road. The
story is quickly developed. Deacon Per-
1ins comes to look. the bay hess over
md the animal is brought out of the barn
md down to the trough David then eff
'ects the sale of the animal. magnani-
nously throwing in the halter to the
ieacon with his purchase.
The second act is laid in the Office of
he counting room of the bank 1t is es-
'entially the office of q man who loves
iorses. Equine trappings are mixed up
With ledgers and journals and day books,
nd on the walls are pictures OF thorough
reds and bills advertising horse trots at
ident of the counterfeit bills, the tussle
nth Bill Montaig, the resignation OF Chef
imson, and the securing of the mortgages
n the Widow Cullom's home
In the third act another phase of David
iarums character is shown-his home
ife. The scene is laid in Aunt Polly's
itting room and the time Is Christmas
forming. II is showing hard outside.
unit Polly is having John Lenoxs things
removed from the Eagle
avern to her spare room. The Widow
ullom comes in answer to David's sum-
ions. expecting to be bereft of her home.
here is the story of David's visit to the
ircus the giving to the widow of her
ONE. the engagement of John Lenox and
larry Blake, and the curtain falls on the
hristmas dinner with David opening that
Imous bottle Of champagne
1.-The eccentricities OF operate stars
rites a man who enjoys the confidence
I Maurice Grau. ARE beyond the COM
rehension of most ordinary mortals. The
rima donna who won't sing when her
oice happens to be out of order. or WHEN
ne imagines this to be the case. is ty
0 means the most serious problem
anager is compelled to encounter.
When Lii Lehman was here the last
me. she would go on, no matter what
lape she was in vocally. and in more
ian one instance she gave performances
lat were grotesque almost beyond con-
.ption. The 81 200 she received for each
,pearance was far more to her than TIE
iestior of art or the desire to satisfy
IT audiences. Nine Nordica, too is apt
be induced to sing when she is rot in
st-rate condition. Nine. Eames IS he