Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17

great comedians of the stage without envy
ing those who have moved the world to
tragic tears. but do not feel that would
be subjecting the public to great depriva-
ton If 1 should ask them to excuse me from
singing.
II shall not hurry the matter. I shall
break the news of my intentions gently and
hope that, In the course of events, the pub
lies desires and my own in the matter can
be satisfactorily arbitrated by the manage
ment. l recall the names Of so many illus
trious players who danced, sang and de-
liyered comic monOlogues, sometimes In
black face. who have since developed into
Joseph Jeffersons and others of similar ar
tistic note, that 1 am encouraged to feel
that the mere fact of my being a singing
comedian does not irrevocably close to my
expectant eyes the gates which lead to bet
ter things"
1t is somewhat remarkable and gratifying
that Washington should be rated as two
weeks city by the managers Of big spec
tacular productions. such as Ben Hur"
and The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast"
Washington was given the preference over
Baltimore In booking this last named at
traction. although the capital city has less
than 100000 Inhabitants, almost third of
whom are coiored and not to be counted
as probable theater patrons. This condi-
ton of affairs Indicates a thoughtful and
liberal population. A great deal of discern
ment Is shown. There is very little going
to the theater for the mere sake of the
play house itself People select their
amusements with judicious care. and when
something that pleases them is displayed
they are liberal in manifesting their ap-
prevail. 1t Is therefore safe to predict
good season for THE Beauty and the
Beast which comes heralded with so
much enthusiasm as to leave very little
room for doubt concerning the magnitude of
It's splendors. Ii 1t is as good a show as
the management announces (and other
cities have Endorsed the managers opin-
ions) 1t will have no difficulty in duplicat-
ing the remarkable career of ben Hur,"
which up to the present time sets the pace
for spectacular display in the theatrical
annals of Washington.
\ X
Leo Ditr1chstein's new play is to be tried
at the Columbia Theater the latter part of
next week by the same company that has
been playing Are You a Mason?" with
such hilarious effect. The piece has had
several titles. its present name being Wv
ian's Papas." The reason for the abrupt
change in the name of the play from
Caught with the Goods" which was its
previous designation, may be found in
scrutiny of the program, which includes Flo
Irwin and Walter Hawley in a vaudeville
sketch. Caught with the Goods" The I'M
conscious cerebration, synchronous impress
sion or simultaneous susceptibility have
peculiarly ugly way OF manifesting them
selves In the theatrical world. as even such
eminent producers as Belasco and Mansfield
can testify. s-4 ..~
Flo Irwin heralds herself as the only
sister of May Irwin. This Is sad news.
1t is with certain. regret that the
public must relapse into the realization
that the supply of May Irwin's sisters is
thus limited. The fraterpal or sororal reIa-
tlonship has been source Of much adver-
Using industry In vaudeville. It is not so
long since we had expanded before our
wondering gaze bona-fide. lfe-size sister
OF Lillian Russell. Just why the fact that
performer is somebody's sister should
ehtltle her to sympathy or applause is
mystery. 1t does not convey by any means
the sentimental force that might attach to
the assurance that she is somebody's
mother. boys, you know"
The many minds Of many men mako
widely varied vocations for other men to
follow and give these other men the in
chnatlon necessary to the following. The
advertisement Of "help wanted" to make
up the personnel of full fledged wild
west SHOW recently appearing in the thea
ulcal papers serves as an index to some
OF the callings men in the ordinary walks
OF lie Know nothing Of. Here are a few
of the craftemen requisite to a wild west
staff:
Wanted-Cow boys, COW girls. rope
throwers, sharp shooters, novelty riders
Cossacks, Arabs, Mexicans, Indian per-
formers and any expert of western pla,ns
pastimes, artillerymen, soldiers and drill
men; man to direct and put on spectacu
lar illustrations of past western historical
facts. Concert people and novelty acts of
every Kind. freaks. curiosities and vaude-
vile acts Tor side show; also a first-class
side show manager, good boss property
man, chandelier man, master Of transpor
tation and razor backs; car porters work
ing people IN all departments, boss hostlers,
boss canvas man and assistant bosses for
all working departments, seat men four
six and eight-horse drivers, grooms and
ring stock men; animal men, canvas men,
property men, steward, cook and walters:
band leaders, musicians, colored brass
band that can double minstrel first part.
oriental dancers and musicians
For the advance-One hundred frst-cIass
sober, reliable bill posters: ten wide-awake
up-to-date, experienced circus agents; ban
ner men, photographers. programers, wa
ter color rapid painters. looking glass soap
decorators, etc.
There is undoubtedly touch of the heart
interest to some members of the theatrical
profession in the calling for bandsmen who
can double in minstrel first part for the
grand concert" More than one heroic
Uncle Tom" has had to double in the
brass" on tour, and glad enough to raise
the wind even In that capacity.
* X
To the writer Of that form of entertain
ment known as burlesque there Is witch
cry In the simple tales of childhood. Gin
derella, whose tiny glass slipper won the
princes heart: Dick Wilmington and his
cat; the luckless babes in the wood: Alad
din, with his woodworking lamp, and
that unfortunate castaway, Robinson Cru
soc. have supplied the motifs Of nearly all
the. English burlesques that have been
written. London is the home Of burlesoue
and pantomime. and during the holiday
season there Is scarcely theater of i'm
portance that does not serve it's patrons
these nursery stories In dramatic form.
with superabundance of tinsel and SPAN
giles and the inevitable harlequinade. "Cin-
derelia" alone has been dlshed up in a hun