The Washington times., 1901-08-04

tried several times last season, but i; has
/ never yet resulted in any advantage.
when the Offering vas not just to the lIK-
! ing OF the public.
C'reston Clarkes opening in Don Caesar
de Bazan viii OccurIin Philadelphia the
first week in Septemi1ero
Mrs. Fiske's encouragement of new
dramatists in the past is an evidence of
her course toward them in the circum-
stances that will make her the chief fig
ure in a metropolitan theatre. The an
nouncement of the policy of the Manhat-
tan Theatre in this respect is perfectly
consistent with that which has marked
her very succt ssful career in recent years.
And that the public is Interested in the
development of new dramatist of talent
is as certain as the fact that the public
is interested in the development of a new
novelist of power. Perhaps the interest
is more marked in the case of the dram
atist, the talent being equal, because of
the far greater number of novelists of
note than of dramatists of note, the stage
writer that attracts general attention be-
ing a much rarer parsonage because OF
the rarer type of genius that he Illus
trates.
The first new dramatist that Mrs Fiske
will introduce to New York at the Man
haitian will be Anne Crawford Flexner,
~
novel, Miranda of the Balcony" and
thus an identifying note of this new can
didate for the honors of the theatre is
timely. Mrs. Flexner is prominent in the
literary and social circles of Louisville.
her native home. She is a graduate of
Vassar. and in that institution distin-
guished herself in literary work. She was
editor of the ''VasSar Miscellany" and
contributed to it many poems. essays. and
stories She was graduated in 1895 and
has since spent much time in New York
in literary vocation and in study of the
stage with a view of becoming a play
wright. Before the engagement with Mrs.
Fiske. Mrs. Flexner wrote a play called
"A Mans Woman. not yet produced A
strange coincidence us to this title is that
when Frank Norris applied for a copy
right on his story, "A Mans Woman, :"
he found that Mrs. F'ieXner had already
secured copyright on the name for her
play. Although here was a prior right to
the title Mrs. Flexner permitted Mr.. Nor
ris' publishers to use it for the story. a
fly sheet in which explains the curious
circumstance of dual selection.
Amelia Bingham win present Clyde
Fitchs play of social life, The Climbers"
for the first time in Washington. Monday,
October q, at the National Theatre. The
production will be given with the same
cast of distinguished players and with the
scenic and sartorial appointments en-
pIoyed at the Bijou Theatre, New York
where it ran for 200 nights to large re-
ceipts last season.
The time of action of De Koven and
Smiths new opera. Maid Marian" a
sequel to Robin Hood" in which Klaw
d. Erlanger will present the Bostonians
in Philadelphia In November, is a period
in the fourteenth century. The story will
be told In three acts. The scenes will be
stage pictures of a beautiful old Eng
lish park and castle, a camp of the Cru
saders in Palestine with the walls of the
fortified city in the distance, and an Eng
lish baronial hall, fine old medieval
Danqueting room
Some of the characters will be those
with whom the admirers of comic opera
became acquainted in Robin Hood
the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John,
Win Scarlet, F'riar Tuck, Alan Dale, Guy
of Osborne. Marian,t Lady Vivian, and
Dame Borden.
Andrew Mack's performance in Tom
Moore" at the Herald Square Theatre.
August 81, will mark the first appea rance
of an Irish star on Broadway in years.
and the only one on upper Broadway
since it became the theatrical centre of
the metropolis.
This fact brings to mind memories of
John Collins. John -Brougham, Barney
Williams. William ]. Florence, and Dion
Boucicault. The elite of the theatre
patrons Of New York attended the per-
fOrma OF these artists years ago,
and Mr. Macks press agent hopes that
through the coming production Of Tom
Moore the Irish star may again be-
come popular on Broadway He believes
that the playgoer of today will take
fully as much interest in the Irish actor
as gentleman on the stage as did those
in the past in the representations of Col
lins and Brougham. Through the works
of that great master of the Irish drama.
Boucicault. the Irishmau has far too
often been presented on the stage in lowly
station. Mr.. Mack would restore the
lrishman to the more important place
In dramatic interest given him by Col
Ems and Brougham. whom the public
focked to see in the days Of their vogue.