New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-28
NOTES OF THE STAGE.
Two Plays Discovered in One Book by
Miss Robson and Miss Lotus.

At the Garden Theatre tonight Miss Eleanor
Robson is to appear in dramatization OF Israel
Zangwilrs short story, Merely Mary Ann" play
devised at her suggestion. This story is one
in the volume called THE Gray Wig" and oddly
enough Miss Cecilia LOTUS before Miss Robson s
play had been produced. in the same volume read
1.-The Serio-Comic Governess." and at once decided
that she wished Mr. Zangwill to make her play
from that tale. Here if you like, is comment on
the play business" Daniel Frohman said the other
day. "AH over the country managers are search
ing for good plays. mercy knows. hard enough and
with none too much success, while two young
actresses sit down to read idly a book Of short
stories and come just what they want
Merely Mary Ann appealed to Miss Robson and
The serio-Comic Governess" appealed TO Miss
LOTUS different stories they are different tenn
peraments. Miss Robson seems already to have
justified her choice, at least from her managers
point of view, and feel much confidence in
Miss Loftus's selection that Mr.. zangwin IS going
ahead with the play for her use next season. when
she begins 10 star. Neither young woman has had
| imagine, any experience to speak of in play read
ing: It's Mr. Shsw's comedy over again--'you
week from tonight the bones will sound and
black faces shine in Broadway as in the elder days
of art. Lew Dockstader and his minstreIs are
coming to the Victoria Theatre for an engagement
Of one month. The old style of song the old style
of jest, perhaps some few of the old tests them
selves. will be there. and there will be mixture of
more recent popular music and at least two
ShanGal and electric spectacles, called Col
sunfower.' cadet band from Austria will
further enl1ven the proceeding.
well known theatrical manager who presents"
such stars as appear only in the first class theatres
IN as near first class plays possible stood in the
lobby of the Metropolitan Opera House last Thurs
day night and watched with keen interest, per-
haps with undercurrent of sadness. the i'm
mense audience pouring into ''ParsfaL" "Oh,
hat 7 he
claimed
"Why?" some one asked.
Because If WERE" he answered, 'I would have
Parsifa! turned into a melodrama IN way
other. and make barrel of money before this tidal
wave of interest and advertising has subsidized.
Think of it! All over the country the word 'Parsi-
faT is in everybody's sight and in most peoples
the producers of Current events melodramas
wonder nothing has of it."
The recent engagement of Lawrance D'Orsay in
THE Earl OF Pawtucket' at Toronto watched
with much interest by Augustus Thomas the au-
thor of the farce 1t the first time since
the production was made that audiences British
in sympathy filed the theatre. THE Earl of Paw
tucket' is to be produced in London, and Mr.
Thomas has not felt altogether certain of it's re-
ception there. in Toronto. however, the play was
quite as well received as in this city. Mr.. D'Orsay
next two weeks.
secret
chinelIe" which for two hundred nights at the
Gymnase with Felix Hugunet IN the leading part
is being rehearsed in English IN this city; under
s4e w ''s t5 % - IlacA9tt; VINO wiz
production will be made in this city in few weeks,
Miss Mary Mannerings annual engagement at
the Garrick Theatre begins a week from tonight
She will appear in a comedy by Leo Ditrichstein
called ''Harriets Honeymoon" The scene is laid in
a small German watering place. and 1t is whis-
pered that Mr. Ditrichstein has spent two years
making the play. This fact. however if fact ii be-
is not verified. Miss Mannering will be supported
by Arthur Byron and Thomas A. Wise.
The schedule for the present week includes the
production tonight at the Savoy Of Clyde Fitch's
latest comedy. Glad of It." with Miss Mile
James, the appearance Of Miss Robson in Merely
Mary Ann" at the Garden also tonight and the
more in Cousin Kate may also be seen at Days
this week.
Miss Paula Edwardes has IT is announced de-
manded adequate seating accommodations for the
young women OF the ''Winsome Winnie chorus at
rehearsals the Casino management mas acceded 70
the demand. and the young women of the chorus
have passed a vote of thanks to the star. Miss
Edwardes says: In my rise from the bottom runs,
OF the ladder l have girls faint from the
effects of standing in stage waits than from the
actual exhaustion of dancing. The girls are not
permitted to sit the stairways, and they lean
against the scenery or the piano. or squat Turkish
fashion the floor Of the stage. The last custom
is most Injurious. they sit directly in line OF
draughts. which cause colds and rheumatism"
That each child to-day's matinee Of The
Babes in Toyland" at the Majestic may get a gift
cards will be given out at the door These can be
for gifts at the courtroom between the
acts. In the third act the Piper children will throw
at random into the audience the gifts they Will
strip from the Christmas trees on the stage MANY
children will get two presents, without being open
10 the suspicion of repeating
THE pETROI Finn MApErr