davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-11-29


money, because those who have knowl-
edge and wit enough to seek such op-
portuniues for the consumption of their
spare hours, are generally apt TO be
bright and popular entertainers.
Such a one is Al Lawrence. the mime
tic comedian IN the Chase bill this week
whc=.S a travelling agent for a we'll
known typewriter. In every city he
plays he is up bright and early every
morning canvassing for opportunities
for the introduction of his machine.
After he has thoroughly gone over the
city proper he goes out into what Gus
Williams calls, THE rhubarbs'' and dali
Hes with the people who sell TO the
commuters. He even goes so Tar as to
towns within radius Of twenty-five
miles. Mr.. Lawrence really does not
need the money. because he is one Of
the best paid entertainers in his line
He candidIy cOnfesses, however, that it
serves two purposes. one being the use
Of his idle time. and the other a chance
TO test his anecdotes and stories upon
the unsuspecting public before he in
PRODUCES them into his theatrical work.
Like all travelling men. drummers. etc.
AIR Lawrence popularizes himself by af-
liability and anecdotes. So when he
tAiitH a new SLtiI- III bLQEE 10 llE4tE IKE
its value before making it a part Of
his minetic role. he tries it on the
dog so TO speak. II he finds that It
goes with the intended victim of the
typewriter firm. he Is encouraged to use
Il on the stage.
George Yeoman. the German jester.
is another vaudeville contributor vic
disposes OF his spare time IL prorzoting
the interests Of one Of those harmless,
but very necessary contrivances for the
relief Of suffering pedal extremities. in
other words. corn plasters. An humble
calling, but George has decided that he
can make mere money out Of this pop
ular and ehicacious c0ntrivance than he
can out OF selling gold bricks. The fact
that he does this was discovered by q
certain druggist displaying letter re-
ceived by him from Yeoman ordering
another batch Of his stock IN trade
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Mr.. Pollock and THE Pit. "

Wilton Lacka. e will appear this week
at Ford's Grand Opera HczFzz. in Balti-
more in the liberalization of Frank
NoS>Is famous novel, The Pit" which
has proved TO be one of the successes
of the current theatrical season. The
play, which was produced three weeks
ago. will divide the rest of the season
between Chicago and New York, so that
the only opportunity Washington the
atergoers win have OF seeing 1t viii
be an Baltimore.
The production has q particular inter
est for Washington people because the
play was made for William A. Brady
by Claiming Pollock, who was for
some time connected with the newspa>
pers IN this city-being for many sea-
sons dramatic critic OF The Times-and
who lived here for several years with
his stepfather. Senator P.oach.
Wilton Lackayc. who IS starring in
The Pit this year. and who appears
as Curtis Jadwin. was educated at
Georgetown University. and made his
first appearance on the stage in this
city as "a member OF Lawrence Bar
retts ; company in 1855. While hewas born
in Loudoun county. Virginia. he spent
so many years in Washington that
nearly all the biographies state that he
is native OF the Capital.
In '.The Pit" William a Brady is
said TO have scored a most signal tri<
1lmph.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
NEWS NOTES AND GOSSIP IN THE THEATRICAL WORLD

am not aware. that belong to any
school. though / have no doubt my long
stay in France had its effect upon me.
was at one time nearly four years
IN Paris. was not working then, bur
I went constantly to the theater and
studied the French school. admired
It for its intense humanity. its SINGER
itS and the delicate way II reaches
effects, by suggestion rather than actual
expression.
When I want TO score a point I try
to do It by the suggestion. As for ths
impersonations. which 1 really get too
much credit for. they are the easiest
work I do. Imitation Is not difficult.
watch carefully the person I am going
to burlesque. Ny method is that OF
the caricaturist with his pencil 1 make
a mental note OF any marked indi-
viduality, then I exaggerate that par
ticular point just enough to make Il
quickly recognizable BY the audience.
BY the by. Miss Russell Is coming TO
see herself done" and have no doubt
she will be as much amused as Ethel
Barrymore was at my poor Onions
last season Miss Barrymore used To
come to the Tuesday matinees at Weber
& Fields and laugh until the tears
streamed down her cheeks at my plump
but very much down-on- -his-Iuck
Onions and that was praise indeed I
used to just love 10 see Carrots in
her box opposite the center OF the stage;
and didn't 1 play to her. thought You
can just wager there Is nothing that
so goes to your very hearts core as
the applause OF a true artist. ike Miss
Barrymore.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Art and limitations.
Mimicry Merely Carricature Arranged
for the Stage.
BY FAY TEMPLEToN.

First OF all I belong to no school. !
am eclectic. if ever an artist were. Twas
almost born on the stage. and all my
people belong to the theater-father
mother. grandfathers. and grandfathers
and grandfathers.
I am a child Of the II eater. love it
/ don't know anything at all about any
other art but the one ] have spent my
lie studying when 1 was a baby /
never played as other children did I
was always getting ready for the the
ater at night, always dissecting. study
ing. and trying 10 improve my role.
When other little girls We're out in the
afternoon. all dressed in their pretty
frocks. playing with their dolls. / had
my hair done up in rags so it would
curl at night and 1 knew / looked like
a sight But ] loved it; 1 was getting
ready 10 do my part
All my babyhood remembrances are
associated with the theaters. All my
pettings and good times We're for doing
well: and all my spankings-and L got a
full share-were for bad performances.
The theater is my idol. my sweetheart.
my best, nay Srst. last, and greatest
love.
There Is no happiness TO me like that
1 experience when my own critical iudg-
rnent indorses the verdict OF my indul-
gent audiences.
And, oh, if the audiences knew the
power they have over the artist. An au-
dience OF cold, unresponsive men and
women completels battles me. The peo-
pie in front, ] think. hardly understand
the effect they have upon Us. They be-
stow heavenly joy on us when they
priise as. They break our hearts, / can
tell YOU. when they are so cold-when
they refuse 20 open their arms a little
TO us.
But about methods. do not lknow.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Past and Future.

The new Belasco play naturally oc-
cupied the most conspicuous place in the
dramatic menu Of the pest week. Any
play well mounted. in so beautiful a
theater as the Lafayette. assumes an
esthetic Importance unusual 90 the
fheater. But sweet Kitty Bellairs' Of
fers little other reward for the student
OF the drama IL is not noteworthy
either Tor brilliancy OF dialogue or sub
stantialT- of plot. and the beauty of
tho text IS sadly marred by the unneces-
sary ribaldry spattered all through the
second act. Sweet Kitty Bellairs'' still
leaves Mr.. Belasco a manager and pro-
ducer merely. He is not yet a great
playwright.
THE Man from BIankleys laughed
his way into dinner to the delight of
everyone fortunate enough 70 see Mr..
Hawtrey in the role. Such comedy is
rare-comedy which rises materially out
Of the association of strongly drawn
personalities; but it is yet moro delight
ful and less forced than all the Ger
man bufrOonery or which the present
stage e capable. Mr.. Ha-wt-ey IS not TO
return to America for several years
mores the pity
when Johnny Comes Marching Home
suffered little from the changes Of
giving bill Of fare. Elsewhere every
thing went a usual
Tomorrow viii oppose two OF the
strongest attractions offered thoughtful
patrons Of the theater this season. One
is Mrs. Fiskes fine and spiritual inter
pretation of Mary of MErdala. The
other is Mr.. Sotherns Miracle play,
The Proud Prince" Both teach valu-
able lessons; both are largely religious
in their nature; both delight the eye
with brilliant and beautiful pictures.
and both are presented by actors of
rare power and broad dramatic educa-
ton. II is unfortunate they must op-
pose each other.
"The 2unaways' returns with Fay
Templeton- Chase's promises another
good bill. Melodrama viii hold forth at
The Academy and Empire, and burlesque
viii reign at the Lyceum.
We are making theatrical history
The Washington times., 1903-11-29

craft. Even many Of those that are
more pretentiously presented will not
repay reading in the closet They
are produced with every art OF the scene
painter and the stage mechanic, and are
adorned with all possible detail that
pleases the eye. Yet they have no
substance as drama. and are bad itera-
ture. To me the obvious and crudely
constructed melodTama is preferable to
many of them because it is honest and
does not trade on false pretenses.
As TO ''IIedda Gabler." am not sure
that "a points a moral beyond the very
obvious lessons that it illustrates. il
certainly should create a desire in the
woman who sees the character not to
be as Hedda is But there are deeper
things than this merely superficial sug-
gestion in the character. 1t has Won
derfuI psychology and depth. II re-
qulres years Of study TO master its
meaning
And the study of the character in
srires the intellect of the actor. The
auditor who sits in front and witnesses
this play would enjoy II more II ne had
given to IL preliminary study, although
i must be said of this drama. as of all
others OF Ibseu, that the auditor &c
whom it is all lew still sits under its
smell as one fascinated. But If the audi
tor. like the actor. viii study this play
he will be stimulated by it intellectually.
and the actor who studies it. no matter
how many others have appeared in 1t,
VIII necessarily, from the great awal-
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Mrs. Fiske's Versatility.
Remarkable Diversity of Characters In
elnded in Her Repertoire.

Versatility is the players supreme
test. There is more in acting than the
playing well Of one part or many parts
that are akin. There is the ability TO
play with equal success many parts that
have little or nothing in common. roles
radically different in mental qualities.
circumstanced in contrast and actuated
by varying impulses.
In the days OF the old stock stars there
was more versatility than at present
Every actor of prominence had a. large
repertoire that included many carrying
characters. and the bin was changed, as
a rule. every night Frequently player
would appear in both comedy aud trag-
edy on the same night. This large rep
ertoire called for similar versatility on
the part Of the supporting companies.
But in the theater Of today long runs
are the rule and the specialization that
has invaded both business and profes-
sional life obtains on the stage An ac-
tor plays one part for a season or FOR
several seasons. and then assumes an
other part of the same sort while 6se
public accustomed to seeing him ia ons
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
At the Theaters.
Lafayette-Minnie Madden Fiske.

At the Lafayette tomorrow evening.
Mrs. Fiske will make her local re-
appearance, after about hve years abb
sence in Mary Of Magdala, the re-
markable Biblical drama by Paul
Heyse. which William Winter has
adapted into English verse.
The opportunities offered to the dram
atist in the story Of the Magdalen's
regeneration under the influence Of
Christianity are declared to have been
fully realized by Heyse. who has de-
veloped A half fctionaI plot, with
steady increase Of interest to beauti-
ful and poetic conclusion. The action
passes in Jerusalem in the days OF Pi-
late and the scenes show IN turn the
home Of Mary. the home Of Aulus Flaw
ius. Plates nephew; a junction Of
streets in Jerusalem, and a wild ravine
near the city. where occurs the famous
storm scene.
Mrs Flske gives. it IS said. BY review
ers every where, a thoughtful. sympa-
thetic and appealing study Of the Mag
dalen arr accomplishes admirably the
difficult task Of depicting the emotional
transition that marks the change from
sin to penitence. Mrs. Fiske is at her
best in the fourth act. the most drama
tic OF the play.
The character Of Judas is Of great i'm
portance in the drama, and It's original
and consistent treatment has aroused
much discussion.
IN TIE mounting OF the play the ut
most care has been taken 20 have every
detail of settings and costumes in alb
soiute conformity with historical rec
ords. and the production is therefore as
nearly perfect a reproduction Of ancient
Jerusalem as stage art could aec,mp-
lish
The supporting cas4 viii be the same
that appeared in New York and mum
bers among its principals Charles Kent
Vaughan Giaser. NJ. j. Jordan. Henry
J. CarviI ". b. Mack. Sydney Smith.
J.. c. Wilbur. Emily Stevens, Mary
Afaddern. and many othars.
The Heyse play VII BE- acted also on
Tuesday. Thursday. and Saturday even
ings. while on Wednesday and Friday
nights and Saturday aftcrnon the bin
will be Henrik Ibssn's ''Hed6a Gahler" 4"
Mrs. FIsLs ha~ won in this latter play
the most notable triumph OF her career
and has caused Ibsen 10 be placed be-
fore the public as the greatest play
wright % the time. The Importance OF
Mrs FisHe's presentation Of the play
IS large. In the supporting cast will be
Mr. Mack. Mr. Glaser. Mr.. Carvin. Miss
Bohn. Mss Maddsrn- and Miss Orms-
bee.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Robert of Sicily.
A Legend Told by Many Tongues in
Many Languages.


Sothern's impersonation Of King Rob
ert OF Sicily in Justin Huntly Nc
Carthy's play. The Proud Prince,
centers attention upon the poem by
Longfellow from which Mccarthy drew
the inspiration of his play. 1t is inter
esting to know that bongfellow himself
obtained his idea Of the poem from a
prose story of leigh Hunt. which ap-
peared in Hunts charming Christmas
Book''-'-A Jar of Honey From Mount
HybIa." Hunt. on his side. found the
story in the form of an ancient Roman
legend of the Emperor Joviniar OF
Rome. and retold in English in the
"Gesta Romanorum. collection %.
ancient folk lore.
In the introduction to his tale Hunt
says curiousIy: Imagine what a great
drama the genius Of Shakespeare could
make Of this stOry-the king-the fool
the angel-and the pathOs. oh, that we
ourselves had but the time 10 dramatize
it,"
The legend of King Robert has en-
circled the globe. In Rome 1t Is the
Emperor Jovinian, who is changed
through the power of Heaven.
Jovinian is the hero of the same story
in an old French moralite entitled
''L'OrgueiI ct Presumption de En-
pereur JOvinian.
F'reer. in his "Old Deccan Days. or
Hindoo Fairy Legends, current IN
Southern India. recites it in the form
OF The wanderings OF Vicram Mana
rajah"
There is an old English metrical ro-
nance OF Robert of Cysille," an abb
straet of which may be foure. In Eiiis
Early Metrical Romances.
In Ludwig Beckstein's popular tales
/ from the German, entitled AS Pretty
as Seven, and Other Tales" it reappears
as THE Naughty King
Leigh Hunt, among modern English
men. has told the story in a Jar OF
Honey From Mount Hybla." and to this
most directly Mr.. Longfellow seems =
have had recourse.
Since the Tales of a Wayslde hI.f
appeared. William Morris. in The
I Earthly Paradise. has given version
under the title of The Proud King,
and A. r. Hope prose rendering IN
'.Stories Of Old RenOwn-'
Something - the same theme was
presented by Mark Twain when he
wrote THE Prince and the Pauper,
and By Anthony Hope in The Prisoner
| OF Zenda.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Business "On the Side. .
Vaudeville Performers as Sales Agents
for Merchandise

Time hangs heavily on the hands Of
the vaudeville performer even though
he appears twice day IL is seldom tina [
more than two hours OF the time Of his
day and evening is consumfa in MS
theatrical work. The balance OF the day
Is like a millstone around the neck OF
many Of them. Constant traveiiSg wears
OF the desire TO explore the various
cities visited. Beginners In the business
generally get camera and a local guide
book. and their first season or two they
busy themselves visiting points Of inter-
est and making photographs. of the
scenes they admire. This dotss very
well for the first time they run the cir
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
National-E. Il. Sothern.

F. j. SOthern viii impersonate
Robert Of Sicily in his new production
Of Justin Huntly Mccarthy's miracle
paly, The Proud Prince" at the Ma
tionai Theater tomorroS evening.
As proud King and grotesque court
fool. Mr. Sothern has one Of the most
impressive roles in which he has ap-
peared. The legend pictures the ven-
geauce ot Heaven upon an iEnOble ty-
rant. and through a miraculous inter
venfion changes him from his proud
estate into his own court jester. In
this condition he learns humility be-
comes ennobied, wins the forgiveness Of
Heaven. and enters into his former
powers AID kingly appearance again.
In Mr. McCarthy'J play a love theme
is intcrw0Vcn as the plays axis The
adventures Of the disguised king in try
ing 10 shield the daughter Of the pub
lie executioner. whom he has learned
10 love through scenes Of peril, form
tho action of the play
The role Mr. Sotheru D0rtrays Is a
dual characterization First. he Is seen
a the p1oud. handsome King. Immedi-
ateiy afterward be becomes . grotCsque
court fool He has opportunities not
only for the romantic and the poetic
but also for a broad scope of character
OF sicily portrays the steady uprising
in the meal scale OF a human being
first STEPPED IN iniquity,
Sicily IN the thirteenth century isf the
scene in which the play is laid, and the
acts are four in number. revealing beau
tiful and picturesque scenes OF the
worlds most artistic history. A view
or the Slcilian hills. q regal interior OF
the palace. the sanctuary OF a vast
catnedrf1. and the garden OF the royal
palace are some OF the stage pictures.
Mr. Mccarthy mas treated his subject
in the same poetic manner as IA IF ]
Were KiDE " "ThesProud Prince" how
ever. goes 10 a greater depth Of thought.
and incorporates. besides it's romantic
element the religious, the mystic. and
the supernatural
\ large organization Is employed By
The Washington times., 1903-11-29

cult OF cities. but the novelty wears Off
when they make the tour the second
season. and when their third season IS
upon them they have become as apa-
thetic as all performers who have been
long in the business.
OF late years. however, few enter
prising artists. imbued with a CONNER
cial spirit. have sought 70 turn their
spare time into STARE cash And, while
it is not a common thing, you win oeca-
sionally find now vaudeville performer
with what is called a side line. That
is to say. they spend their idle time in
the cities they play in the promotion
OF business enterprises with which they
connect themselves IN hope of profit. II
is not 50 much that they need the
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Coming Attractions
Julia Mariowe

Julia Mariowe.
Amy Leslie. of the Chicago Daily
News. glowingly describes julia Mar
lowe in Esmond's new comeiy, Fools
OF Nature as follows.
1T is almost impossible to believ@ that.
be she ever SO exquisite, an actress could
with these modern environments be 50
charming, but Marlowe is beautifully so.
She wears costumes which age like the
leaves of "A rose. so appropriate. artistic
and queenly they are She touches the
situations with the M gic or her Won
derful voice. with the soul of her. which
IS so tenderly luminous and gives TO
mundane commonness the halo of di-
vinely appointed light. The glory Of this
gifted woman's genius pulses all about
her
The Washington times., 1903-11-29

ening of his mer.tal forces. bring to
the impersonation of Eedda Gabler
something new-something, no doubt Of
the studying Individual, yet something
that viii throw new lights on the
character.
Ibsen is splendid practice for the ac-
tor He makes the intellect alert and one
must study carefully 10 reach Gny OF
his depths. Thus, aside from all else,
ne IS a benefit TO the actor.
II would be impossible for me to give
my idee Of Hedds, Gabler without long
thought-going over long study. There
are 50 many things about the charae-
ter that impress the student. 1t would
be unjust TO any long thought of and
well considered opinion or this character
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Ibsen the Dramatist.
A Playwright of Great Technical and
intellectual, Power
BY MINNIE MADDERN FIsKE.

LAs, the request OF the dramatic editor
o. The Times, Mrs. Fiske prepared the
following brief statement of her atti-
tude toward ibsen, particularly toward
comment on Ibsen-brief. but cOgent and
comprehensive-wiu prove especially iu-
teresting 20 those readers Of these col
umns who support The Times in its at
utude as TO serious plays.l
Why do we play Ibsen? For various
reasons. one Of which is this-that Ibsen
has come 20 be force in the theater, or
IN the drama, and the player must be
catholic in his selections Of plays why
should Ibsen. L may ask, be played in
ali the dramatic centers OF Europe and
neglected here2 Moreover. there il that
ia Ibsen that well repays representing
him.
The great number of modern plays are
neither good literature nor good stage
The Washington times., 1903-11-29

to express some detached or isolated
idea of some one OF its characteristics,
for the very isolation of such ideals
tends to misconstruefion.
have a great. a profound admira-
ration OF Ibsen as a dramatist. I ad-
mire his powers and his great craft.
He is a master builder of plays.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
chase's-Fanny Riee and vaudevilIe.

Chases program for next week in
cludes jolly Fanny Rice, WIN N. Cressy
and Blanche Dayne, McMahon's Water
melon Girls. Al Lawrence, Dorothy
Neville. the Sisters Meredith.' Cadieux
and the vitagraph motion pictures,
showing a daring highway robbery, to-
gether with an amusing series OF comic
pictures Fanny Rice will offer the
latest creation in her series Of surprises,
the singing and dancing dolls, in the
presentation OF which she is said TO
have won greater favor than ever. Win
N. Cressy and Blanche Dayne VIII pre-
sent Mr. Cressys latest original one
act character comedietta. The New
Depot" An ensemble OF eight pretty
misses constitute McMahon's Water
melon Girls. and they viii be seen in a
singing and dancing act conspicuous for
beautiful costumes. special scenery and
popular music
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Isabel Irving in ..The Crisis"

The Crisis. with Isabel Irving in the
principal role. viii be the Offering next
week at the Lafayette. Miss Irving is
splendidly equipped artistically and tenn
peramentally, and has won prohounced
success in the play made famous by
James *. Hackett, under whose man
agement she viii appear at the Lafay-
cite.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Academy-sTwo Little Waits"

Two Little Waits. Lincoln J. Car
ter's melodrama, viii be the attraction
at the Academy commencing next Mon
day. The story is said to have a plot
interesting and involved. and 20 be re-
plete with stirring meiodramatic sltua-
tons
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Empire-"The Scouts Revenge.g

"The Scouts Revenge" Western
Inelodrama, which comes TO the En-
pire next week, is said TO show phase
Of American life that snost pezsons know
only from books. gae story tells Of
the misdeeds OF Wnfred Castro, leader
OF a gang Of outlaws
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
Chase's-vaudeville.

The vaudeville attractions at Chase
Theater next week. viii present George
Wilson, the famous minstrel; LILLIAN
Burkhart and company, the -Four We,-
sons. Bert Howard. and Leona Bland,
Madame Avery Strakosch, BERTHE Fowl.
The Washington times., 1903-11-29
National-"The Rogers Brothers in Lon
Empire-aThe Price Of Honor"

..The Price of Honor viii be next
weeks attraction at the Empire. The
incidents. while thrilling. are said TO
have no forced sensatiOnalism. as the
play is a reflection Of the real life OF the
la