Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-14

The thaatergoer finds scant choice before
him just now. He goes to Chase's Theater.
or else forsakes the playhouse entire
1y and seeks his diversion out Of doors.
The old Hopper favorite Wang was
received with even more favor than
was shown "Erminie" While none of
the performances would satisfy a severe
critical standard. they serve as diversion for
an idle afternoon or evening, and are CRATE
fully welcomed by large audiences who are
not disposed to become cautiously statistical
IN connection with the advertising mans
bland assurance that it is S1.5O show for
p and 90 cents.
Not until now has it been known how the
book OF Eel Captain came into existence.
1t has always been supposed that Charles
Klein originated the plot and dramatic
treatment. AS a matter of fact Mr. Klein
simply adapted an English farce for the
use OF John Philip Sousa. 1t seems that
some years ago there was produced in Lon
don an extravagant comedy entitled The
Captain" 1t was not much OF success. for
reasons unknown. but it had enough origi-
nality TO make IL well remembered by an
agent Of Klaw & Erlanger who saw it.
Later he proposed TO the firm that it be
made Into the book of an opera. klaw &
Erlanger, Selling upon the proposition.
conferred with the late David Blakely.
then the manager of John Philip SouSa, to
effect the writing of the libretto by the
march king" This was done because the
story Of the play touched upon Spain and
Spanlards, and the fertile-brained agent of
the syndicate conceived the idea of locating
the opera IN far-away Peru back in the
seventeenth century, as lshn Philip Sousa
Is grandson of the Duke of BriganZa,
with Spanish blood stirring through his
veins. 1t was supposed. therefore. that he
could bring forth characteristic Spanish
music After careful preliminary study of
the characteristics of the lyrics and other
musical compositions Of the land of the
grandees Mr.. Sousa set to work, and
brought forth in short order his most ia
nous and most popular opera, Eel Capt.
tan" Such in brief is the story of the orr
gin of the book and the music, and 1t only
goes to show once more that there is moth
ing new under the sun.
Edwin Arden closed his season with the
Eannering-B ellew combination last night
and comes to Washington Immediately with
his company to begin rehearsals for his
opening at the Columbia Theater on next
Monday evening. June %. Many inquiries
by letter, phone and in person show that
the engagement has attracted widespread
attention among the theatergoers of this
city. Mr.. Arden promises a well-balanced
company containing players of reputation
and standing. He also promises plays of a
high order and In keeping with the one an
nounced for the opening week, Lord Chum-
ly- Mr.. Arden will take the title role which
was the means of establishing that favor
lite player, E. H. Sothern, as a star The
sale OF seats and boxes will open at the
theater on Thursday morning. and the regu-
lar summer scale of prices will prevail
Arrangements have been about concluded
for the proiongation OF the opera season at
Chase's until the end of July at least, and
longer than that II conditions warrant.
The success that has met the efforts of the
company at Chase's, under the direction of
Milton Aborn, warrants this departure from
the original plan. Mr.. Chase departs en-
tirely from the usual precedent. which re-
quireS that operas shall be produced that
can be had without the payment of royalty,
and that, MOI cover, are familiar to all of
the company This Is possible with operas
like "Mfkado,' Chimes Of Normandy" and
the other veterans OF summer season after
summer season. Operas have been secured
that have been the greatest successes of
such organizations as the Bostonians,
Frank Perfey's singers and Francis VIII
sons company, and which can only be had
for a royalty. Following The Wizard of
the Nile week after next the operas that
will be presented are Francis Wilson's
1.-THE Merry Monarch" Frank Daniels
THE IDOLS Eye" The Bostonians' The
SerenaderS'' and Robin Hood" and If the
season is further extended. in all probable
tty The Little Tycoon" perhaps The
der. terminating with a very complete mod
ern production of THE Bohemian Girl"
1.-The season I have just closed" said
Charles B. Hanford. lis the most success
full that 1 have ever had the fortune to en-
Joy. 1 attached peculiar Importance to this
especial season, as many of my friends had
predicted that my appearance in the mod
ern play. Private John Allen the year
before would. despite its success, ALLEVIATE
the interest OF play patrons from my work
as an actor OF classic roles
From all reports, you found a hearty
welcome in The Tanning of the Schrew'
lit was an ovation. None of the eminent
gentlemen in political life whom | am said
to 50 strongly resemble could have asked
for more. But there was an enormous
amount OF hard work involved. Our tour
Vancouver and British Columbia. We COW
cred 1900 miles from New York to Port
land, Ore, and from Duluth to New Or
leans. In one season of thirty four weeks
we gave 225 performances OF The Old
Guard and The Tanning of the Shrew.'
And the box office statistics were no
doubt equally interesting"
"A more liberal response from the public
In every way could not have been asked"
VIII you remain in Shakespearean parts
next season."
Yes 1 shall retain THE Tanning of the
Guard and add Much Ado About Moth
ing l may do one other play. but 1 have
not reached any definite decision"
Mr.. Hanford's triumphs were shared to
Some extent by his wife, who. when called
upon TO take the place of Miss Grantley as
the leading lady, distinguished herself in
a manner which called forth both applause
and critical approval.