Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-08

two kinds. those which are TOO soou anu
those which are too bad to command pop
ular interest for any length of time. Sucn
entertainments as n. c. Goodwin's "Mer-
chant of Venice and ''In Balcony" prop
erIv command the regular seasons prices
because of the expense involved in casting
them and providing scenery and costumes,
even though critical opinion might not be
unanimous as to their excellence. The
Presentation at regular prices of such
program as that given by Cissie LOTUS
aud the entertainers accompanying her
must be strongly deprecated 1t causes
lack Of confidence which is ultimately sure
To- work disadvantage to really meritorious
offerings. The outpouring of people to see
Miss Loftus-for the attraction of the re-
nainder of the bill could not have been
very p0tent-was very remarkable, ana
bespoke a disposition to estimate theatrical
entertainment by the prices demanded
rather than by evidences of intrinsic merit.
Miss Lotus limitations are truly wonder
full but it is scarcely reasonable to expect
people to nay as much to see brief sugges-
;. lions Of famous personalities as it would
cost to see any one of the originals in
good play and with a competent surround
ing company.
The interest which the Lafayette Square
Thcater and Chase's Theater succeed in
indicates that It will be some little time
before the stock company and vaudeville
e managers consent to abandon the field to
the outdoor entertainers. The weather
has only recently begun to give the open
air clientele a reasonable share of encour-
agement and Glen Echo, being first in the
field, is reapIng some of the benefits of it's
courageous struggle against rain and chill.
The Palm Garden at Cabin John has added
oil,
ments of Potomac river scenery. and River
View opens its regular season tomorrow
with the standard line of summer day d.
versions. together with some novelties.
An interesting fact about the production
Of Secret Service at the Lafayette
Square Opera House next week is that the
role Of Wilfred Varney. the young southern
lad. whose love affair with little Miss Nit
lord is productive of so much amusement,
was created in the original production by
Edwin Arden. the Lafayette's leading man.
II was in 1885 In Philadelphia, that Secret
Service had its premiere, and the follow
ing fall it inaugurated its long run at the
Empire Theater, New York. Mr. Arden
played Wilfred Varney. the boy, in each
production. but refused to go to London in
that role because he did not care to make
his debut in the English metropolis as
boy actor 1t Will always be one of the
mysteries how Mr.. Arden can success
fully assume roles no matter what the age
s. supposed 10 be. In "LAigIon." for in
stance. h. played the part of the aged Met
t-ruirh. In Because She Loved Him So
H. seemed perfectly a young
husband Of perhaps twenty-five. In Secret
S-r,ica'' the boy WiIfred is supposed to be
under sixteen years of age. The idea of
Ntr Arden creating the part of sixteen
y,ar-oId boy seems rather odd, but he
S.,rad a great success in the role. 1t is
an the more surprising when one is inform
81 that Mr.. Arden was old enough to be
s-ur on his own account more years ago
{ than he cares to exactly remember.
George '.waltz-me-again'' Wilson. who g
distinguishing himself nowadays by bring
Ing a fuH-fedged minstrel production into
vaudeville is one of the most familiar fig
ures I'm the minstrel world. He also should
he accorded the palm the leader of the
masculine shirt waist brigade for his white
Lawn creation. worn behind the footlights,
Il known almost as far and wide as he is
himself Wilson has been identified with
a number of the most notable minstrel
combinations and organizations known to
the stage. He has been on the stage since
time when memory runneth not to the
contrary and has ever been popular with
thu great mass of playgoers. All the older
followers of the stage remember the IA
nous combination Of Barlow. Wilson Prim-
rose and West. The company swept the
country. but there were too many stars in
the combination. and split came. Barlow
Hud Wilson going out together and Prim-
rusr and West forming their well-knoun
az Eauization- This condition of affairs with
Tho renowned quartet continued for some
ttHl". until finally AIilt Barlow dropped out
o. the business and Wilson headed a COM
pauy of his own. meeting unqualified sue
he
bcrs Of the original aggregation was when
W est and Primrose parted company a few
years ago For one year George Wilson
took out a musical farce company called
Monte Carlo. which did a good business
over the southern and western circuits 1t
WIS an elaborate production but Wilson
vas not altogether at home. and SO he
again returned TO the realm of burnt cork
when vaudeville became such a popular
form Of amusement he entered that field as
star nonologist. and met with one OF the
greatest successes Of his interesting career.
Now he has combined minstrel with vaude-
Vile.
Washington is threatened with rivalry In
its prestige as frst-night center. Nor
fnlk- Va, Is To see the launching of new
star and new theatrical firm. September
- The Brothers Wiistach have secured
play for Adelaide ThurstOn whose talents
and beauty attracted much attention when
she played Madge Chiselhurst with Mrs LIE
Moyne in The Greatest Thing in the
GRID She Is a great favorite in the
south and west. having gained much of her
popularity as Lady Babbie In The Little
minister. IN which role she appeared for
tW' seasons Claxton Wistach will devote
ms persohal attention to the business man
asement OF the enterprise. Frank WiIstach
Is interested in it.; but will remain with
Viola Allen as business manager.
The London theatrical season has practi
cally closed. This announcement would
not have been particularly interesting 10
= the people of the United States a few years
ago. but now that American COMPANIES
and enterprises are so largely concerned In
the theatricals Of the English METROPOLIS
and there are so many attractions pro-
duced there which have either been seen
or soon viii be given IN this country and
in Washington theaters. the London doings
attract much attention. The season has