Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-31

l.arcsssz EE27is.l ASA -N ! a
The abruptness with which the season
has closed does not argue very strongly for
the reSourcefulneSs OF those who now con-
troll the booking for the more expensive
attractions. The Hunchback" broke in
upon the dearth of legitimate attractions,
but its stay was brief and the entertainment
did not prove one of brilliant quality, al
though It was patronized with remarkable
liberality The production was more inter-
esting 10 the student of stage events than
to the amusement seeker. for 1t marked
notable step forward in Viola Aliens ca
reer Another one-night performance oc-
ours next Monday. when Mary Mannering
and kyrle Bellew. supported by company
whose names promise much, Will give that
good old standby of hyperbolic sentiment,
The Lady Of Lyons.
Harry CorsOn Clarke says farewell to-
night to a season whose prosperity attained
its greatest height just before its close
Uncle Toms Cabin retires somewhere to
the wilds. Ii would perhaps be too severe
a breach of custom to offer well-acted
production of Uncle Toms Cabin" The
preliminary announcements were to the
effect that Mr.. Fursman. who had life
experience in presenting Uncle Tom was
to make special production of that time
tried drama for Chase's Theater. This was
obviously correct. No one who was not
thoroughly familiar with the Uncle Tom
business could have secured the services OF
so many actors whose work was 50 slay-
ishly faithful to the worst artistic tradi-
lions of the play. Next week Chases will
revert to a form of entertainment to which
Washington was at one time very devoted,
4rna pIanS outlined nromiSe
a more elaborate series of productions than
those when JEANNE Winston and W. 7.
Carleton fiurished-and, by the way, at this
same theater.
The Empire Theater has definitely adopt
Ell a system of bargain prices and Mana
ger Schlesinger has already booked a num-
Der of attractions new to Washington, but
strong in other cities to play at prices
ranging from 80 cents down to 10 cents. The
family theater policy will be vigorously
maintained and the house will open Sep
TENDER l, or earlier
The revival of The Lady of Lyons in
which Mary Mannering and kyrle Bellew
are shortly to appear as joint stars, recalls
all sorts of anecdotes and incidents among
theater folks, for the play has enjoyed a
popularity covering a period of over sixty
prominence has played Pauline. while the
Claude Melnottes are too numerous to
call. Werner Charges, q well-known actor
of long standing. recites an incident that
happened at Wal,ack'S Theater years ago,
when Rose COghlan was appearing as the
Maid of Lyons and Mr.. Charges had the
part of Damas. Paulines line reads: "Oh.
My father. you are swaziland by my hus-
band. All, blessed hour.
Instead of which the charming Rose, get
ting little bit mixed, exclaimed: 'Oh! My
father, you are shaved-and by my hus-
band. All, blessed hour
y = <
Like many prima donnas Pauline Hall
has had wide experience as ar injunction
dodgcr, not that she is a contract breaker,
but there have been number of times in
her life when she has Rad to resort to ar
tifice to defeat the fell intent of the con-
stabulary to serve various more or less
Objectionable writs. 1t might be said that
a singer who has not gone through these
trying periods does not yet possess what
the pugilistic fraternity call "a reputa-
ton In the latter sense Pauline Hall
has acquired a large reputation. because
IL she has had one she has had a dozen
episodes, ana each was ingenious enough
to serve for the principal episode in a melo-
drama.
One she recalls most vividly occurred in
Atlantic City, where she was doing her
vaudeville act one week, and at the same
time her services We're claimed under an
alleged prior contract by Alfred Aarons,
who was conducting opera in one of the
thedterS along the boardwalk. Miss Hall
declared that Aarons had violated his con-
tract and that she was free to give her
services in vaudeville. Both managers had
extensively billed her performance as a
gala occasion, and each was determined
that she should perform at his theater.
Miss Hall was in quandary to know
how to fulfill her engagement with the
manager she favored, and he, artful dodger
as most managers are, suggested a way out
of the predicament- 1t was well-known
that a process server would be in readiness
II she openly appeared outside of the
vaudeville theater, and that if he could
gain access to the stage that would serve
his purpose quite well, therefore the fiat
went forth from the managerial strong
hold that all doors to the theater were to
be locked and barred and no one admitted
unless he gave four or five kinds of couu-
tersigns- Then great big trunk was
brought into use. 1t was one of Miss Halls
costume vehicles, so to speak, because such
trunks are almost as large as an express
wagon Several holes Were bored to per
NIT free ingreSS of air and 1t was .iuxuri-
ously fitted inside, for Miss Hall was in
tended to be the precious burden it should
bear. On Monday afternoon In her hotel
Miss Hall got herself in readiness entered
the trunk and. with more care than treas
III dtteHudnlS use III transporting bars or
gold. Miss Hall was carried out of the
hotel. placed, not dumped" as the bag
gage men say. in an express wagon and
carried 10 the stage door of the vaudeville
theater 10 and behold. the process server
was there, but he was not experienced in
the theatrical ways of lodging such min
Ions as he, and the trunk passed through
in safety. Miss Hall scored the first point
OF victory, the vaudeville manager got the
consequent advertising and the resultant
big attendance. and the other manager
Inundated at the coup. resorted TO a suit
for damages against his successful rival.