Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-20
MUSIC


tergoers, but the scantiness of attendance
as compared with the abundance OF the
performances desert Is calculated to In
cline the scribe who devotes some time TO
chronicling things theatrical to cynical
suspicion that people do not read with seri-
ious attention comments upon stage affairs.
No praise could have been more abundant
or emphatic than that which has been be-
slowed upon Mr. Harvey since his first ap-
pearance on this continent. But the fact
that the bloom of novelty had been brushed
from 1.-THE Only Way" seems TO nave
operated unfavoraby for his box office In
terests Artistlcaly, no success could have
been more satisfying.
Mr. Harvey speaks with entire good
nature of America, Notwithstanding the
fact that his experiences might be expect
ed to cause him chagrin. 1.-The Only Way"
which he originally produced in London,
was wanted by American managers, and
Mr. Harvey did not desire to stand in the
way of such an enterprise. although 1t
must surely conflict with any personal am
billions he might have in connection with
the piece in this country. The spectator
who saw both the Frohman and the Harvey
productions could not fail to be struck by
the coseness with which the American pro-
duce0s copied the original. Mr. Harvey
said: II gave them all 1 could to assist In
making the production, except. of course.
the heart and affection which l had put into
the work I could not put them in a letter
and send them over here-could II" And
the earnestness with which he appended the
little query left no doubt in the hearers
mind that had such a thing been possible he
would have sent the sentiment along with
the rest of the goods and chattels.
:; x
A very charming though somewhat con-
versatonal comedy was the offering at the
National Theater. where Charles Frohman's
Empire Theater Stock Company Is now
playing. The play presents language ac-
companied by all sorts of attitudes Words
are uttered sometimes standing up, some
times sitting down, but there Is little else
until the very end Of the play. when there
comes a fine climax. which displays Charles
Richman and Margaret Anglin to immense
advantage. Even the hardened playgoer.
who prides himself on being emotion proof,
Is pretty sure to find the salt water creeping
to the corners of his eyes when this pretty
reconciliation takes place. The play is like
good flrecracker which has too long a
fuse.
Miss Lavinia Shannon was heartily well
coined by old friends, and new ones too at
the Lafayette Square Theater She was
her popularity.
The Afro-American entertainer Is coming
to the front with a rush which seems in
danger Of being too precipitate. The fact
that Williams and Walker Cole and John
son are clever colored performers should
not encourage too much enthusiasm In the
hearts of managers when a Senegambian
act is offered for booking. The colored en-
tertainer is well enough for a change and
when he is truly clever is entitled to the
same consideration that Is accorded the
white worker in the same line, but the
rush of sable talent that has occurred with
In the last few weeks is almost overwheln-
ing.
The Empire Theater has the same COM
pany as that which supported John l.. Sui
livan when he made his memorable invasion
OF this city. SuInvan recently distinguished
himself by getting violently intoxicated in
Detroit, and his manager says that he is
ready to pass him along to the next specu-
lator who Is willing to take such awful
fighters inebriation was quite as pictur-
esque as that in which he INDUCED while a
visitor to this city.
las the sister of a celebrity, for so 1 sup
pose l May call Sister Lillian" said Susanna
Leonard recently. referring to LII ian Russell,
Il have occupied a position more or less
like the man who married an eminent liter
airy woman. and thereafter was introduced
in society as Mr.. So-and-so, the husband
of Mrs. So-and-so. 1t was a first rather
trying as. unconsciously, my big sister was
a sort of bushel under which my poor
little light was hidden. Managers seemed
to regard me as a necessary evil, without
lnquiriug into the question of any inherent
or intrinsic ability l possessed. If l want
ed position, | got it because l was Lii
Ian Russell's sister. and if a manager was
exceptionally DESTROYS of securing Lillian
he always threw me in for good measure,
and said he would provide place for 'Su-
same so for a long time / had to nurse
In secret my cherished ambition to shine as
Susanna Leonard. minus the descriptive APP
pellatiOn of Lillian Russells sister That's
why insist upon calling myself Leonard"
Charles Frohman has always shown de-
cided preference for Washington as a first
night city The theatergoers of the ma
tons capital have frequently been given
presentations before they were taken to the
metropolis. II will always be remembered
that Washington had the first chance to
greet Maude Adams as a star and to send
her OFF happy on the triumphal career
which has since crowned her efforts. Bron-
son Towards "Aristocracy," THE Girl I
Left Behind Me" 'Wukinson's Widows"
"On and on and other plays with
records Of success had their beginning in
Washington. Again has Mr.. Frohman
chosen Washington for a first night. This
time, the star being Annie Russell, will be
seen at the National Theater Monday. De-
cember -, in the first American production
OF Madeline Lucrette RyIey's new plav.
Mice and Men Mr.. Frohman will visit
Washington and give his entire personal
attention to the rehearsals and first pres
entatlon OF this play. This is Miss Rus
sell s fifth season q star under Mr.
Frohman'S mana gene Mt, and her latest role
will in every way satisfy her admirers who
found so much delight in the gentle art and
sweet personality she put into Catherine"
Miss Hobbs, p" The Princess" In a ROYAL
Family" and her last creation in The Girl
and the Judge" 1t is the clean and whole
some play that Mr.. Frohman always gives
Miss Russell. and Mice and Men" was said
to be the most engaging of this class pre-
scented in London in many years. 1t tells
pretty love story in bright and sparkling
dialogue. For this production Mr.. Froh-
I'll.