Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27

zam Y y
a circingle to prevent its getting away In
case of an accident to the machinery
The trotting race in The Bandit King
consumes but thirty seconds. For its sue
cessful presentation half an hour of the
hardest work is consumed behind the scenes.
| Labor such as is unknown to the street Dig
| ger: the hardest and most onerous Wh1le IL
| lasts. Not only must ponderous and I'M
wieldy machinery be handled. but dozen
nervous horses, each one or which is as
capricious as a leading lady, must be Kept
under control while the play Is going Tor
ward Just beyond the first drop scene The
horses often anticipate their cues, and start
off before their time, to the imminent haz-
zard of the entire performance Such a
circumstance requires the services or the
entire force of hostlers and stage hands to
secure harmony. 1t is a case Of the man
| behind the scenes who does the work.
X x *
There has been considerable discussion in
Europe as to whether Hall Game chose real
personages for his models in The Eternal
City" In order to avoid this very criticism
and safeguard unpleasantries OF this kind,
, Hall Game chose Rome of the future, rather
than the past, as the time his story oc-
ours. Despite this fact, there are those who
have persisted in reading between the lines
engaged in kid, or rather, man-napping. In
treating of great persons it was necessary,
of course, that he avoid choosing any of the
Immediate past or present as a model, hence
the scheme of laying the scene of the play
in the future was a clever safeguard. There
was no Pope Plus Y to be unprecedented by
E. NJ Holland, yet there was in the dim dis
tant past a Felix whose life correspond
ed somewhat with that of the fictitious
Plus X Both of these pontiffs, the mag
med Plus and the real Felix, were most adj
mirable personages yet there is a furtner
similarity in the fact that both were mar
ried and had children before becoming
priests and finally pontiffs.
AS to the prime minister. Baron Bonelli. to
be impersonated by Frederic de Belleville,
his character is said to correspond exactly
with that Of the famous premier, Crispi.
Bonelli. according to Mr.. Game, ruled with
rod of iron-people, court princes, parma
nlent, king well-and seems to have only
one unsatisfied desire. to break up the last
remaining rights of the Vatican ana RUE
the pope himself 4 man of impacable tenn
per and imperious soul, and. like Napoleon,
man with deep contempt for public opIn-
ion" This, the critics say, was Crispi to
dot.
Then. General Potter the American min
lister, is said 70 be General Horace Porter
to the life-almost to the name. General
Potter is described as being Ian elderly sol
der, with a fluent tongue, but stiff lower
jaw" This description exactly applies to
General Porter, who is elderly. and especial
ly famous for a .'fiuency of tongue" or
rather ready wit AS to the hero and hero
inc of the drama, David Rossi and Donna
Roma Nelonna, one can only conjecture as
to who if any were Mr.. Gaines models.
Donna Roma, to be impersonated by Miss
Viola Allen. is described as being "a type of
the fair lady who has appeared in the his
| tory of every nation since the days of Helen
of 'TrpE-DDe of those eYnliSita
whose lovely eyes and rosy mouth exercise
function in the state. In the orchard of
| the nation she is the flower Of flowers
| Wherever she goes perfume of alteration
! follows her, and everybody makes way for
| her as for a sovereign. In the world Of
| beauty and elegance through which she
moves she is queen, and as such she makes
her own manners and her own morality.
Why did the prime minister appoint so-and-
so? Donna Roma. Why did he dismiss
such-and-such? Donna Roma. The wise
ones of Rome, Paris and London pretend to
say that there was such a 'petticOated poll
| tician as Donna Roma" who ruled the iron
Crspi. but in their wisdom they do not let
US know who this fair creature really was
| in real life Possibly wisdom dictated dis
Greet silence. AS to David RoSsi the lit ter
airy sleuths had not far to look since the
famous Italian agitator, Pellegrno Ross
was ready at hand Beyond the fact that
Pellegrino Rossi fought for a liberal govern
ment in Rome in 1913, under the famous
Massini his resemblance to David Ross
ceases. Peliegrno fell at the hand of an
assassin before his hopes could be realized,
while David lived in the play at least to wit
ness a fruition of his dreams There will
be no attempt, of course, in the part of the
performers in The Eternal City to imper-
senate any of the characters they might
have been in real life.
X
Charles B. Hanford and company have
concluded rehearsals in this city and left
yesterday for Lynchburg, Va. where Mr..
Hanford will begin the current season on
Monday night 1t is proposed to give a re-
vivai OF The Tanning of the Shrew'' and
Much Ado About Nothing" Scenically
the plays have been handsomely provided
for, while the costumes leave nothing to be
desired The company, which numbers
twenty-three players, the largest MIR. Han
ford has ever carried, includes as leading
woman Marie Drofnah, who has had varied
experience in Shakespearean roles. and who
made distinct hits on various occasions last
season, when the assumed the role of Cath
crime in THE Shrew''
A strenuous reception Is said to be in
store for Pietro Mascagni, the italian com
poser when he arrives in Philadelphia Oc-
tober 4. Two firms of managers are dis
putting each others claims to his services,
and as each party to the dilemma will
probably have a representative on hand to
meet the composer. ready, II is intimated, to
force if gentle persuasion is not effec-
tive. Mascagni's first impressions of Amer
lea seem destined to be unique. 1t appears
that Liebler & Co. desire his services to con-
duct the orchestra at the premier perform
ance of Viola Allen in THE Eternal City,
here and Mittenhal Brothers Kronberg
| aver that he shall Immediately take up re-
| hearsals of his operas at the METROPOLITAN
Opera House, New York. Mascagni COM
! posed the Incidental music for The Eternal
CITY,, and il is said to be exceedingly in
| tricate, and member of Mittenhal Brothers
! & kronberg announces that Mascagni WIN
be needed IN New York, as every moment
! Is precious The latter firm has sent forth
| the fiat that Mascagni will not appear in
| Washington for Miss Aliens opening and
| I1ebIer & Co. retort that he will, and there
| the matter rests for the present
| The bonds of sympathy and acquaintance
| ship between the playgoers and the players
Of this country are being constantly welded
more closely The interest of the public in
| the play has been augmented by the desire
| to know more of the inner workings of the