The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-31

TRIGGERS who packed the house wherever
II was played.
What was the result? Managers n:
once set to work to obtain plays that
by their title and subject would appeal to
those VINO know only of the stage what
they nave learned from The Sign of the
cross; playwriters began reading sacred
history in search Of material for dramas:
one of them turned from the writing of
comic operas to dramatiZe Quo Nadis:'
Ciergynen not only commenced to attend
performances of pieces whose titles sug-
gested religious subject-.The Christian.
The Little Minister. and Ben Hur'-but
wholesome influence of such plays; and.
most important of all for the future of
the religious drama. the box office re-
ceipts proved to be much more satisfac-
tory and the runs longer than during the
days when farce-eomedy monopolized the
stage"
Not the least important part Of Ezra
Kendall, who is at Chase's Theatre this
week, is a tail, ancient tile. Kendall has
always affected hats OF ancient lineage
in his monologue, and the one he is now
using was made over thirty years ago.
1t holds its age well, and the fur is yet
in excellent condition. The comedian
bought it in Baltimore several years ago
Il was frightfully afraid l was not go
ing to get it, he said, in speaking of his
beaver. 1T was just what ! wanted and
| feared the old gentleman who sold 1t
to me would 90 back on HIS bargain. He
told me it was over thirty years old. and
it looks the part. have received many
compliments about 1t. 1t certainly Is
corker. 1t would have to be n high com
pliment that would be as elevated as the
tile however.A
Besides his hat. Mr. Kendall carries the
smallest trunk of any artist In the Nau-
devillo business. Even the trunk used
by Chiquita is much larger than the
Ia OF Nff e
the hat in the regular aperture made for
it. places his shoes one on each side, his
collar and cuffs and tie in the hat, and
is ready. He can carry it himself, and
says he takes no chances about its being
miscarried AS he uses no makeup or
costume. other than changing his collar.
his complete wardrobe is carried in the
hat box.
Search the list of stage favorites for
seasons back and no more popular or
widely known actress can be found than
Della Fox. whose fame may be dated
from the time when she was first asso-
ciated with De Wolf Hopper. in whose
productions she waste put 1t plainly
half the show" The comic opera. or the
musical comedy stage, as it now appears
to have become. has brought out many
condolences in the past five years-wo-
men famed for their beauty. soubrottes
who have burst forth into the public eye
through some possible eccentricity, but
withal there is none to be. found who can
truly claim to be in just the same class
with Della Fox. She stands at the head
of her line with more hearts dangling
from her chatelaine than any three lat
ter-day soubrettes can boast of, and de-
spite all that may be said to the con-
trary, her ability to pack a house and to
draw her old-time allowance" is the
Gar hap oh IN no Nrh re
fannels in Wang and sing of "A
Pretty Girl and sundry other things.
And this is Just what Miss Fox did all
last week at the Grand, and very like old
times did 1t seem to see and hear her.
one was even driven to expect to see
De Wolf Hopper tower in and make
things lively, for Hopper can make-but
then that's another story. However. to
get back to Miss Fox. She had just fin
ished her act one afternoon when rep
resentative of The Times knocked at her
dressing room door.
II am very glad to know that the pub
lie is still interested in me-, said the
and it seems almost un-
necessary to say that | am still inter-
ested In the public They have been my
very good friends for long time, and |
love them individually and collectively. |
have been in vaudeville now for twenty
weeks. and half of that time has included
sunday performances, SO ! am pretty well |
tired out l close here Saturday night, |
and will be very glad to rest.
My greatest grief is that my voice is |
not what it might be. The papers are |
la FoS-she looks we'll, etc, and inti- |
mate if they do not say it outright. |
that 1 cannot sing. Now, who ever said |
could? In my comic opera career my |
songs were always little, light affairs |
that depended mainly on the acting for |
their acceptance. Now / am singing !
Them straight and they do not seem the |
same The scenes are missing there is |
chorus. he a,
s not there and the blame is laid on me |
Of course. do not think of comparing |
myself 10 Henry Irving and the Fox
Wrinkle cleaned but take Irving ont of
MS plays. let down a drop and push him
Jut front to entertain house Where |
would he be? So if / had a scene as, for
nstance. the bright little one which pre-
,eded y Pretty Girl in Wang the |
Inference would be apparent immediate |
y. And how good those people in front |
ire to me- II hurts me very much when |
realize what little voice ! have"
shall you return to comic Opera?" ask |
d the interviewer
No. ! hardly think So Comic opera
las ceased to be a paying investment. |
hall go abroad with my husband this
summer and if suitable piece can be
occurred may go out next season but it |
5 all so Indefinite that | cannot really /
ell what | shall do. All | am thinking
Il Just now Is to get to my home In New |
iork which / hardly know, because /
ave been on the road continually since |
ny marriage. Ny slimpses of home I
weet home, have been few, but enough !
o Justify my anxiety to get b8ci
nd rest. However. | have no intentivH
f giving up the stage. The publ" h.
zen too good To me to allow me ar DEE
ire to leave ii. and the success q -.
audeN lie tour has shown me that -..
ave my cid place in the hearts us
cople"
Manager Chase is preparing for a sprlns
I