The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-04-21
THE PLAYER FOLK

At the opening of her engagement at the
Manhattan Theater. New York. next sea-
son, Mrs F'fske viii appear as Mary of
MagdaIa, in a powerful historical play
Of that name, by the German dramatist,
Paul Heyse.
Although the chief role in this drama is
the Mary NagdaIene OF Scripture, and
Judas IscariCt-named in the play Iscari-
oth-as well as other typical Jewish and
Roman characters viii figure in it, with
the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Armenians,
and representatives of other races active
in and about Jerusalem Al the time. no
other Biblical characters will appear
Herr Heyses drama is in no sense a
religious drama It deals generally in a
broad, historical manner with the char
acters named as their lives are ffctionaliy
assumed to have been affected by the
religious and racial incidents Of the time.
while its chief dramatic value rests upon
and deals with the life Of its heroine
Mary OF Magdala is represented as a
typical sinner against the laws of society,
Judas IsCaTioth is represented as a Jew
ISL patriot in love with Mary.
The act with which history associates
his name is represented as due to his dis
appointment over the method OF the Mes
siah. whom he would have a scourge Of
the enemies Of Judea, and to antagoniStiC
passion engendeTed by the teachings that
awaken and dominate the spiritual nature
OF Mary.
The scenes however, are historical. the
locale being OF JerusaI lem and the produc-
ton in this respect. and in respect Of COS
tuning typical CT the representatives Of
various nationaIities that figure, is ex-
] eccf1r
and arcnaeologicaily interesting ever
staged
The drama has been rendered into Eng
Iish by Lionel Vale, the nom de plume Of
a DISTINGUISHED American scholar, and the
| costumes have been designed by Mr. Percy
| Anderson, OF London, who is responsible
for those of "Fferod" Special music will
be composed, and every detail will be in
sympathy with the peculiar dignity OF the
subject
Harrison Grey Fiske has had the AmeTi-
/ can rights to Mary of Magdala' for more
than year, and preparations for its pro
duction have long been planning
The drama has been produced in Ger
many this season
William Collier. who formerly took
much pleasure in being called Willie"
has been dragged into the Weber and
Fields net, and will be rIember of the
German comedians burlesque organiza-
lions at the Broadway Music Hall next
season, suppIenting De Wolfe Hopper,
! who viii return to the comic opera stage
/ in a musical version of the Pickwick
papers
/ Collier has j,.zt convinced the theatsr-
! goers OF Gotham that ne is pretty good
! sort of comedian. and Weber and Fields.
at foT-t 2
/ deemed suitable for the amusement OF
| their clientele, swooped down en- the chief
! fun maker Of The Diplomat" and held
/ out the aIluring picture of an entire sea
| sons engagement on Broadway
Il was too much for Collier
He forgot that he had just arrived at
! that very important point IN an actor
! career when he is accepted in the chief
/ cities Of the country as very amusing
/ fellow. when the announcement OF MS
/ coming is good guarantee that the
/ theater viii re well filed
/ Heretofore Weber and Fields has been
/ regarded a. 4 haven Of rest for the poor
] actor or actress who finds ii impossible
| TO secure a good vehicle or whose lat
| est tour has been a financial failure
De Wolfe Hopper never considered the
] id-a of supporting the duo of German
comedians until his FL Capitan" yent==Fo
/ in London lost a fortune and when the
/ theateTEOerS OF TINS country HOtSu Aite
/ Charlton a mass Of embarrassing lyrics
| and music
And not until An American Beauty
and la Belle Helene" fsiled to attract
! even fair sized houses did Lillian Russell
yfSzzsilfo to enter the -saz the XNAhar-
! Fields organization.
May irwin has been mentioned as
/ possible member OF TIE Broadway bur
! Iasque company. but the TOluminous Miss
! Irwin said NAY, nay" to the proposition
/ For once in his professional career Col
/ Iier has made sad mistake and has
/ shown the need Of a good friend whose
| advice would have vetoed the Weber and
! Fields offer.