Evening star., 1901-10-12
COlum bia Theater.

The mere announcement of a new play
by Clyde Fitch-that wizard of the
modern native DRAMAS of itself an
item of more than passing interest in
country so spare in playmakers as
America. When this item is suppIe-
mented by the relative information that
Miss Elsie de Wolfe has a star role In the
new play and that Washington will witness
the first performance Of the work, the It'd
ings become invested with character and
expectancy of mild sensation, locally.
Mr.. Fitch calls this fresh product (t"The
way OF the World is It's title) modern
play. Preparations for the stage rea1iza-
tlon of the manuscript have been going on
| almost uninterruptedly in one department
or another of it's development since last
spring. The company to support Miss de
Wolfe in it's Interpretation arrives ,oiay
from New York. with all of the parapher-
MALTA, and resume on the Columbia theater
stage the rehearsals that have been in ac-
tion since the arrival of Miss de Wolfe
from Paris early in September
Washington playgoers familiar with the
productions of Charles and Daniel Froh-
man at the Empire and Lyceum theaters
in New York city require no supplementary
comment ON Miss de Wolfe's renoWn in
Manhattan. In bringing her forth as a star
George W.. Lederer, her manager is but
following the precedents of Mr. Charles
Frohman. whose shining associates of Miss
de Wolfe in the Frohman companies. have
one after another been brought within the
pale OF the est stellar searehlight. group that
K. Hackett and recently VIM. Faversham.
When Mrs. James Brown Potter held
forth in societys amateur acting In New
York in the days of the Comedy Club at .he
Berkeley Lyceum, Miss de Wolfe shared
with that charming actress the social place
she held and the histrionic talents she dis
played. At that time Miss de Wolfe was a
mere slip of girl" The dramatic power
she evinced at these society performances
was absolute enough to attract the specu-
lative and discerning eye of Charles Froh-
man. Af.er MRS. otter took to the stage
professionally and wrested success from the
undertaking., Manager Frohman sought
Miss de Wolfe and induced her to Join ore
of his many pfednetions. So highly did he
appraise Miss de Wolfes abilities that he
cast her at once for the leading support of
Forbes Robertson. the English star he was
then importing for the principal role-that
Of Of Martial. In .Ss Sardou,s drama Of the French
success in the role of Fabienne in this
drama was sufficient to command a Mace
for her In the Frohman dramatic stock
companyuat the Empire, distinction she
has retained with varying favor since
Mr.. Frohman shrewoly confined the Young
woman's talents to the counterftA char
acters in. the plays he chose for her that
called for the qualities that were Miss de
Wolfe's by right Of birth and experience In
the social world.
In THE Way of the World" she will APP
pear ds mis- SioSueu ID young matrOn OF
high social status. between whom and her
husband cloud of misunderstanding falls
There is an undercurrent Of politics in the
play-indeed. it is the husbands high-mind-
ed devotion to civic virtue and It's attendant
involvement In the political machinery of
New York state that generates the cloud
that and. the natural attraction his good
looking wife unconsciously exercises over
another man.
conspicuous member Of the very strong
company besides Vincent Serrano and Clara
Bloodgoodv Is, Frank Mills. Mr.. Mills was
brought over specially from London by
Manager Lederer, where the young PLAYER
has been a strong favorite In the support
Of Mrs. Patrick Campbell and Forbes Rob
ertson. Strangely enough. Mr.. Mills Is a
native player. who. failing in distinctive on
portunities In this country. went abroad
and became somewhat of a professional
lion.
The first production Of '.The Way Of the