Evening star., 1903-09-05

that this Is one of the most backward sea-
sons the legitimate drama has ever ex-
perienced. Both the National and the Co
lumbia theaters are not scheduled to open
until late in the month. A similar condi-
ton prevails generally through the country,
and the explanation is peculiar, yet simple
New York city is not ready for the season
to open. So the season waits. The number
of new theaters to open in New YORK TINS
fall is unusual. and the attractions which
were to play In them are delayed. This de-
lay throws every department of theatrical
activity back, including the bookings
The summer attractions in the metropolis
do not suffice to convey an assurance that
1t will be brilliant. 1.-The Runaways," which
was seen at an early period in its career in
this city, has managed to play to big houses
at the Casino, with Fay Templeton an
extra attraction. THE Wizard of o. a
sort of Christmas pantomime for warm
weather, and The Earl of Pawtucket'
come pretty near rounding up the list OF
summer attractions that amount to any
thing. THE Earl of Pawtucket' was writ
ten by Augustus Thomas to exploit Law
renee D'Orsay, whose droll "haw-haw' En-
glsh dialect as heard in the Annie Russell
VI n IbOydl T dLuily, 10 SliiA a
delightful remembrance here. Mr.. Thomas
has put bright lines in the play, but the
production as 1t stands at present depends
wholly upon him, the minor characters be-
ing cast in manner wholly inferior to the
playwright's deserts, especially when, as in
the present instance, the playwright is ex-
perimenting on rather unfamiliar ground.
Mr.. Thomas has hitherto been regarded as
more of a sentimentalist than a farceur.
and outside of Mr.. D'Orsay. who is inimita-
BILE, the players lend him small assistance.
X
Washington enjoyed the privilege of see
ing the first production of When Women
Love- at the Academy of Music last Mon
day night. The title was an alluring one
but those who hoped to find an elucidat1on
of feminine character were disappointed
Even Balzac admitted that the feminine
nature is difficult of analysis and 1t
is no great discredit to the author of this
play If he gave up his original plan, filled
in with pursued working girls, oily villains
and vociferous heroes, and then took his
name off the program.
Miss Eugene Blair, who Is as faithful
visitor as the violet in spring or the
persimmon in fall, demonstrated to ap-
ideas of how "Zaza' and "Magda" ought
to be played When "Zaza" was first pro-
duced a number of critics whose sincere
contention for the purity Of the drama
must entitle them to esteem, even though
the practicabnity of their ideals may be
doubted. abused it without reserve. This
was when IT was presented under the high
est artistic auspices.
At that time the performance had at least
the palliation of strong artistic purpose.
So charmingly was it staged and acted that
censure was powerless against its fascina-
tions But in it's later form. when the cost
of seeing it is decreased and facilities thus
afforded to larger and perhaps more sus-
ceptible circle of people 1t encounters no
word of protest. 1t has weathered It's storm
and sailed safe into the haven of accepted
things No gentlemen with polysyllabic vo-
cabularies assemble to discuss Its moral
influence 1t surely has not improved On
the contrary time has a contrary effect on
most emotional pieces: crudities of pro-
nunciation and confusions of grammatical
creep in; blunt emphasis takes
the place of delicate suggestion. Yet the
moraists sleep and the public hastens to
the play house, forgetful of his warnings
of seasons past and unconscious of the
1aCC tDal tQ6 elIlOllOIldA III ana AAoy O0
most dangerous when it Is least discussed
Two notable first productions will Sig
nalize. the commencement of dramatic ac-
tivity here, the Columbia opening with the
play which E. II. Sothern has written for
his wife, Virginia Harmed, and the New
National with the new comedy Checkers
X
The death of Joseph Haworth means Sc
rious loss to the American stage. for, al
though he was extremely untractable to his
managers, he was an actor of sterling
Qualities. Mr. Haworth had the best
school for an actor, having been
brought up in John Elsler's stock
company at Cleveland. His first impor-
tant outside move was as leading man for
Lawrence Barrett. He was also with the
Booth and Barrett combination. and many
thought that when these two tragedians
died that Haworth would succeed to their
line of work But he became the hero in
..Hoodman Blind organization, with which
play he travelled for two or three seasons.
He used to play Hamlet at some of the
matinees and he had then strong aspira-
tions to become Shakespearean actor But
he was an extremely difficult man to han
die and managers fought shy OF taking
him out star. In a combination com
pany he was fairly tractaDle and his sue
cess in conjunction with Carrie Turner in
Paul Kauvar' Is well remembered.
Mr. j. Sanford, who managed the tour OF
that organization, and who is now associ-
ated with the interests of Edward Mawson.
speaks in warm terms of Mr.. Haworth's s
excellent impersonation and OF the positive
furore he created in nearly every city WIS.,
tied His work In that play will not be for
gotten any more than will his appearances
in QUO Vadis' THE Christian" THE
Resurrection" and other plays that might
be mentioned Haworth was a man Of fine
stage presence possessing a well-modulated
voice, mobile features, graceful In move
ment and of much personal magnetism. His
appearance as "CassiuS'' in Richard Mans
fields production of Julius Caesar" came
more nearly realizing his classic aspirations
than any other incident In his recent career,
unless II was the performance of q more ex-
tensive Shakespearean repertoire as co-star
with Charles B. Hanford.
Mr.. Haworth was born in Providence, R.
J., on April Z, 1855, and in his childhood he
was taken by his parents to Cleveland,
Ohio. which city was thereafter his home.
When he was eighteen years of age Mr..
Haworth encountered the chance that open
ed to him q career on the stage. He was
permitted to recite "Shamus O'Brien" at a
benefit performance. Charlotte Champion,
no In he