Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-29

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The theatrical season may be regarded as
On the wane. although Easter week Will no
doubt invite temporary revival OF interest.
Mrs CampbelTs engagement was brilliant
one in spite of the fact that 1t occurred
during Holy week She Is an actress Of re-
markable intellectual force; an artist in the
strictest sense of the word, In that her eff
fects are attained by precise calculation
and with infallible accuracy. She Is per-
former who pieases more she Is better
known, and the large audiences that greet
ed her night after night left no doubt OF
her conquest of a large proportion OF the
theater-goers in this city. The Girl and
the Judge".proved a remarkable attraction.
1t is audacious. as most of Clyde Fitch
plays are, and assumes but little save as
an entertainment. 1t requests the audience
TO accept kieptomania as a serious PROPOSE
ton, and then proceeds to humiliate the
characters who act from the best motives
and to marry the youthful hero into fam
lily that would be pretty sure to land him
in a peck of trouble. if there were another
act to the play The performance Of Jane
gave the Bellows stock company week OF
simple and unexacting comedy as pre-
Bellows has been at work all the season.
Monday night will witness the first pre-
miere that the Lafayette has had in some
time. Chase's Theater had a vaudeville
program which satisfied patronage of not
ilIiberal proportions The Academy moved
the emotions of it's audiences with a char
acteristic offering. The Empire had one of
the record bills Of the season, with San
dow as the chief attraction. and the stock
company showed to the best advantage of
the season in a topical skit, "A Day In
Congress" which. although million miles
from realizing the possibilities of the sub
ject was a step in the right direction. The
results which this band of players get are
remarkable when the limited time for re-
hearsal left after two performances day
are given is considered. Kernan's Lyceum
had bill which combined mirth. music and
athletics In the proportions which the pa
thons of that house usually find acceptable
Mr. Crane was recently asked to read a
new play. The principal character was d
member of an aristocratic English family.
The heart interest as the sentiment Is
called, was very strong and the play in it's
manuscript form was very interesting and
entertaining Mr.. Crane told all this to the
Wouldn't you like to have the play?"
the comedian was asked.
Why" he answered, 81 won't have any
use for new play for some seasons, from
present appearances
TN hold 1t for You if you say the word"
responded the author.
NO" said Mr.. Crane, Il wouldn't like
you to do that You have got good play.
r hut Ia nj fOr
me. Your principal character is an English
man of polish. culture and refinement He
Is dignified and at times austere. l know
/ could not do him justice. For many years
/ have been portraying Americans Of the
middle class, types that / have studied and
become familiar with through association.
Your aristocratic old father, through love
o. the world and its opinions. turns his
only daughter from his house simply be-
cause she has made misStep. The scene
Is strong, but / have no sympathy with the
father and, candidly, 1 could not do a part
Justice providing ! was not thoroughly in
sympathy with it,
IT speaking about this Mr.. Crane reiter-
ated his statement that he had to like a
part in order to do 1t Justice
II have" said he, had some parts which
/ liked very much that were set in plays
that were not to the liking Of the public
There was that # Peter Stuyvesant In the
play of that name. which Bronson Howard
and Brander Matthews wrote for me. Here
was sturdy. Christian man. who had to
think quick and act quick In times of peril.
The play was delightfully."- written and there
was a. literary flavor about the lines that
was charming. 1t cost me $4,000 in four
weeks 1 followed it with play of no pre-
tensions and no literary merit 1t had two
extremely comic scenes in 1t, and In six
weeks 1t had wiped out the loss on Peter
Stuyvesant' and paid for it's own produc-
ton
The rise of Stanislaus STANCE, who made
the stage version of Quo Vadis," has been
rapid. 1t was not many years ago that
be was a struggling amateur, with a.
boUndless ambition to become a great
actor His desires lay In the direction of
tragedy and supported by a band of fell
low aspirants he acted in Richard III''
and in The Bells" That was ten or
twelve years ago. when Mr.. STANCE lived
In Kansas City and had classes in elocu-
ton Then he gained a foothoid on the
stage. playing in Brady's After Dark"
Manola and Jack Mason the translation of
"L'Ami Fritz for their use and its suc-
cess. THE Magic Kiss for which Mr..
STANCE wrote the libretto. and In which
Camille DArville made a hit, followed,
and after that it was easy sailing. and Mr.
STANCE retired permanently from the stage
to devote himself to writing plays. Brian
Boru" and other operas and a one-act play
or two have made up his work to the pres
ent time.
Myron Lefhngwell has been engaged for
the leading heavy role of the villain In
Joan OF Arc" the spectacular meIodrama
which Will be produced at the Academy of
Music In the near future by Morgan Sher.
wood and George Denham Negotiations
are now progressing for the engagement of
leading man. 1t Is probable that George
Backus OF the Mary Mannering comnanv
wiz be engaged. He Will play the role of
Eiorfne de Chartres. young country squire.
VINO makes strenuous efforts to avert the
burning Of Joan. virginia John sof,s IA al