Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-26

The regular theatrical season will close
unusually early this year. In very few
weeks the stock companies and the special
one-night big-cast productions will have
the dramatic field quite to themselves The
current week brings absolutely nothing
new. not even the performing seals having
the quality of novelty to commend them
Happy Hooligan'' was the banner attrac-
ton from box office point of view.
X
The Lafayette Square Theater, at one
time noted for its palatial quietude has be-
come a storm center of theatrical activity.
Some months ago Mr.. Berger declared that
the house was not on the market, but this
assertion was made with certain mental
reservations, he now states that the
present situation is consummation which
he has devotedly wished. and which has
been accomplished largely through his en-
deavors.
ST have never felt" he says, that the
~theater could develop its best earning ca
pacity with a stock company, although that
form of amusement has proved an excel
lent means of keeping the house provided
with attractions in keeping with Its high
class traditions"
VI
theater and will make it his headquarters
for directing his road enterprises.
The authorship of The Little Pilgrims
Is question calculated to puzzle the most
expert OF lawyers. And the lawyers will
probably get chance at it. The play was
adapted a number of years ago from a
story by John Strange Winter. entitled
The TruthteIers." Martha Mortons
brother Michael had some share in It, for
in some of the reports he was credited with
the authorship. Mr.. Berger regarded the
play as Impractical and held 1t for years
without taking any steps toward giving 1t
production. The play was turned over to
Mr.. Bellows, who agreed with Mr.. Berger
that 1t had idea. but was not practical. Mr..
Bellows states that he undertook to re-
write the play, but found that he had writ
ten a new play using some ideas of THE
Truthtellers'' only incidentally. Miss Nor
ton was persuaded to come and see the
piece. and Immediately disapproved of
everything except her own portion of 1t.
An effort was made to reach basis of
compromise. but it fell through. and Mr..
Berger went TO New York and made
engagements with David Belasco for pro-
duction of the Morton play. This arrange
lows may make as co-author The Belasco-
Morton production will use the title. The
Truthtellers." Mr. Bellows intends to
have a play OF his own in the field of the
same general character, and there is a
prospect that there will be no dearth of
juvenile drama for the coming season.
The conclusion of the Lafayette Square
Theater deal may make 1t necessary for
the Empire Theater to readjust it's plans
for next season, unless Mr.. Stair feels that
he has enough attractions to supply three
theaters in Washington. The Empire had
mapped out series of musical and farce
comedy attractions. which would not clash
with either the Lafayette nor the Academy.
Mr.. Wegefarth is gratified to find that
managers regard his change of policy for
his theater as definitely accomplished, and
to this extent his season has been a graft
Tying success Whether the price of boxes
and some of the choice seats will be raised
in order to meet the cost of expensive book
ipgs or whether the prices will be further
cut in order 10 make the experiment of
amusements at rock-bottom prices-an ex-
pertinent which Washington has not yet
tasted-will be matters for decision before
the resumption of business next season. To-
night is a final farewell to the stock COM
pany-
There will be two revivals of old plays
this spring. The Hunchback." with Viola
Allen as Julia, and the Mary Mannering
and kyrle BeIlew production of The Lady
of Lyons" Each of these productions will
play in Washington for only one night
There will be two Frawley graduates in
the field next week-Blanche Bates and
Harry Corson Clarke Mr.. Clarkes season
at the Columbia will probably be extended
If What Happened to Jones' is the sue
cess that present indications promise
Harry Corson Clarke gave early promise
OF capacity in the difficult dual role of
actor and manager. Even when a school
boy his odd holidays and long vacations
were spent in organizing his play fellows
into companies and rehearsing them for
public performances. which were given in
an empty barn upon an improvised stage
with scenery and costumes chiefly designed
and executed by the young manager him
self. Even in these days the comedian
rNsed his-aid for patronage on the merits of
the performance, and pursuing this policy
he never failed TO attract full attendance
OF his juvenile friends in the neighborhood
until there came time when an empty
seat would have been an insufferabIe EN-
barrassment to the management
At the close of a long summer vacation
Fl this young manager. not yet fifteen years
OF age. emboldened by the vast wealth O,
pins. marbles, fishhooks and other preciou:
odds and ends which the box office receipts
lad yielded him, resolved upon a new de-
parture. There was TO be a last grand
production with an admission fee of five
cents, thereby scoring a double artistic and
financial triumph. After careful rehearsals
the great day was appointed. The audienc,
was larger than ever before, even the five
carpet-covered boxes We're taken at ter
cents. In the midst OF the performance
however. n huga noliceman attractad b,