davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
Mansfield House-Cleanina.
Entire Warehouse of Scenery and Cos
tunes Emptied and Filled Again.

While Richard Mansfield is studying
his new characters in Ivan the Ter
rible" and "Old Heidelberg" on the
deck OF his yacht, and making occa-
sional trips into New York to super
wise the progress of preparations for
next season, another really big work is
being done at his behest.
Ia his character as star Mansfield
has produced deliberately nearly twenty
Ave plays. He has kept all the cos
tunes, all the scenery, all the furni
ture, armor. and properties of each of
these productions.
The housing of this motley accunu
lation is no small consideration. He
has a fve-story storage warehouse Of
his own over near the Hudson River On
West Twenty-seventh Street in New
York. Here are packed away as closely
as ingenuity can devise all his profess
sional belongings. Two entire floors are
given to scenery. one floor is given to
the dingy crates of costly furniture, an
other to hundreds of trunks of superb
costumes, and another to properties,
mechanical devices, some scenery. and
various odds and ends.
The material gIories of the stage "all
must. like chimney-sweepers, come 10
dust" Everything here is reduced to
common denOminator. a dark. Justly.
canvas denominator which conceals all
the colorful splendor Of those tableaux
of Nero, The Merchant of Venice, ."
"A Partisan Romance" Richard H."
Julius Caesar" Beau Brummel,'
Henry "" "Beaucaire," "Cyrano de
Bergerac," and the rest.
Mansfield recently directed that
general house cleaning be inaugurated.
The scenery has all been taken out and
overhauled. Any defects in upholstery Of
furniture or in the general integrity of
the multiplied properties have all been
rectifed. But the hardest work OF all
was the securing OF the armor and the
renovation of the costumes. Mansfield
owns nearly 400 suits of medieval ard
trunks upward OF 1.500 costumes, 'ndi-
vidualIy complete. Instead of taking
these 10 cleaners plant IL was decided
to institute a plant in the building next
door, as there was no room In the Mans
field storehouse.
The walls are lined with hooks, and
racks the length of the rooms were
stood in lines which formed aisles. The
coats, waistcoats, trousers. stockings.
shoes. gloves, hats. swords. and other
details Of the costumes were taken out,
one production at a time. They were
aired. cleaned dry by compressed air,
pressed, folded in tissue paper, labeled
and put away. The armor was secured
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02

in part by the emery wheel and In part
by liquid solution. 1t was polished
and then covered with a protective
grease.
This work has engaged dozen ex-
perts the greater part of the summer,
and is labor and expense quite apart
from the prodigious preparations for
two such productions as Ivan the Ter
rible" and "Old Heidelberg" are to be.
The costume plates and the scenery
models for both the Russian tragedy
and the German comedy were ready
months ago and the completion of the
production IS now well under way.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
d: GOSSIP OF THE DRAMA FROM MANY POINTS OF VIEW 80

ter the original designs In the Theatre
Franchise at Paris. photographs of which
were obtained for the purpose by Mr..
Chase. Upon the ceiling OF the balcony
there will be three ovals surrounded by
plastic relief, and each OF these will
contain a mural painting. In the main
lobby the skylights above the drawing
room and box Office floor will contain
cathedral windows OF circular design
with electric lights above. Handsome
carpets will be laid throughout the thea
ter beginning at the Italian mosaic floor
at the box office. The reading room and
other apartments will be as generously
decorated and furnished as the other
portions of the auditorium.
New scenery is being prepared for tbs
stage, and will contain three elaborate
fancy interior scenes, and an attractive
exterior garden set
On the stage the property rooms have
been enlarged and dressing rooms re-
built and renovated. and much of the old
wood work removed and replaced BY
structures intended to render the build
ing impervious to fire.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
A Sign of the Times.
Mr.. Frohman's Return With a Batch of
New Plays.

One of the signs OF the times is
Charles Frohman's arrival in New
York from Europe laden with those
foreign attractions which are destined to
figure hereafter as triumphs of the Amer
lean theater. This enterprising gentle
man Is interested In seven London thea
ters in addition to his group of play
houses in Manhattan. and can therefore
provide a stage without difficulty for
any piece which has proved successful
in London or Paris. The system has its
manifest advantages. although 1t does
not tend to the development of native
authors or actors
Among his novelties is the new play
which Sardou has written for the ever
green Sarah Bernhard. All that seems
to be known about 1t Just now is it's
name, which is The Sorceress," but
this is sufficient TO enable the old thea
trical hand to form a pretty shrewd
guess as to it's character. Doubtless the
heroine Will be endowed with all i'm
aginable destinations and passions and
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
SalVini's Prospective Tour.
To Appear in Four Standard Plays
With Eleanor Robson.

The announcement that TOmaso SAL
vini Is 10 act again in America next
spring will awaken conflicting emotions
ia the minds of his admirers. On ne
one hand they will rejoice at the chance
of once more seeing the greatest actor
of the last half century, If not CT all
time. in some Of his most famous In
presentations; and on the other. they
will be filled with a nervous apprehen-
sion lest his formerly uneQualed Dowors
should prove to be diminished, lest the
frame should have lost some of It's noble
vigor, the voice some OF its wonderful
resonance and exquisite sweetness
The experiment appears to be a dan
gerous one for a man whose tale Of
years is well over the allotted three
score and ten. and It would be pttirUI
indeed. If a renown so brilliant should
be furnished, ever so little, at the last,
in the attempt TO add yet another green
laurel wreath TO those which have nos
yet faded
He Will be thrice welcome. and yet
and yet-unt'l the test has been safely
endured-thcre will arise the disturbing
NAiCNBAN tAeih Ac LAiShb nave D6cH Wiser
not TO jeopardize the dignifed position
which he now occupies. Not so Iorg ago
he was reported as saying that having
once oidden a formal farewell TO The
American public he would not falsify
himself ty repeating the ceremony
This, at AL events. was a sentiment
worthy of so supreme an artist.
But, after all. there may be no
ground for any uneasiness on this score.
II is comforting TO remember that even
in the days OF his prime. Signor Salvini
cared more for artistic reputation than
he did for profit and resoluteIy refused.
in spite of the most tempting offers, to
play Othello every night, on the ground
that he could not do justice to the part,
or himself. without proper rest. 1t is
not likely that such man, at the sum-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
Tramping Historic Ground.
Miss Galland in Virginia Encounters a
Strange Coincidence.

There is an interesting coincidence
connected with the preparations for the
staging of Dorothy Vernon" especially
for those who enjoy tracing the oircum-
stances of genealogy.
The action of the play takes place in
England. at Haddon Hall. and the ewo
great names involved are the heroine
of the family of Vernon, and her true
love Of the family of Manners. Bertha
Galland, who is to play Dorothy Yer
non," has been visiting Paul Kester, The
author Of the dramatization, and study
ing her role at his home, Woodlawn
Mansion, in Fairfax county, Virginia
Woodlawn Mansion is in sight of two
Of the most celebrated of the old Amer
lean colonial estates, both within
couple of miles of Mount Vernon. where
George Washington lived and died. and
Belvoir. the ancient seat of the Lord
Fairfaxes. Mount Vernon is named for
the celebrated Admiral Vernon, of the
family OF Dorothy Vernon, OF Haddon
Hall. and the Fairfax seat is named
for a Belvoir in England, which was the
home OF the Manners. earls of Rutland.
one of whom is John Manners. VINO
wooed and won Dorothy Vernon.
The coincidence of finding herself anc
the author of her play so near those
American souvenirs of the English Dolly
and John greatly interested Miss CAL
land, and she frequently tramped across
the beautiful acreage of both Mount
Vernon and BelvOir. A dinner was given
her at Mount Vernon and extraordinary
courtesies shown the forthcoming Doro
thy Vernon which are rarely accordad
visitors TO the historic shrine. In a few
days Miss Galland; William Lever. who
is to play Sir John Manners, and one
or two others of the principals in he
new play will Join Mr.. Kester's family
for a house party at Woodlawn Mansion
when the first rehearsals of the play
will be held.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02

NIT of his career. would run the risk Of
comparison with his former self M
less he were sure of his powers.
Moreover. an American critic VINO saw
and talked with him last spring reports
that he then exhibited no trace of de-
cay, either of mind or of body. His eye
was as bright, his form as erect and
energetic, and his voice as rich and
sonorous as ever. There is therefore
every reason to hope that he is still the
salvini of old. no broken veteran lag
ging superfiuous before the footIights.
but the greatest actor OF his age.
Even if. unfortunately, he should fail
TO soar to the very Hottest tragic heights
which he formerly reached with so lit
tie apparent effort. only the older play
goers will note the deficiency To the
younger generation. necessarily ignor-
ant of what fine acting he is capable, he
viii appear, perforce. an astounding
phenomenon.
From this point OF view his visit IS
cause for genuine rejoicing He will re-
furnish playgoers and critics with stand
ards which most of them have forgotten,
and many of them never knew He Will
act in four plays only-"Othelio," King
Lear" 'Ingomar," and La Morte CT
yile"-and will speak. of course. in his
native tongue, although the supporting
company will be English. Eleanor Rob-
son is to play the chief female parts.
and ought to be most humbly grateful
for the opportunity
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
The R qht Kind of Rest.
A Lesson for the Indolent in the Busy
Life of Miss Thurston.

How many Of our actors regard the
summer release from the obligations Of
the regular season as an opportunity for
study and cultivation? AS a rule the
time not devoted to earning a salary is
devoted TO rest, a word which has been
Incorporated into the vernacular of The
profession to mean out Of work.
Perhaps it is for a contradiction of
this rule that a gifted. cultivated. and
energetic artist rises so easily to the
top. They take their profession serious
ly, acting as an art, and do all they
can to fertility themselves with accom-
plishments. Mansfield has frequently
begged the young people Of his guild
to learn department, dancing. fencing,
singing, music, and few of the modern
languages. It Is a capital investment.
A young artist OF evident ambition is
Adelaide Thurston. She went abroad this
summer, but wisely coupled study with
rest. Writing to a friend in this city
week or so ago, she said:
Il am having a heavenly time here in
beautiful Paris
II take a French lessen with a pro-
fessor from the Sarbonne every MORN
ing at II. Then l practice my vocal
exercises, for l am studying singing with
Piccolati (the name was indistinctly
written), who was Nine Eames teacher.
You think this extravagant of me, and
a waste of precious rest when l an
about to undertake an important and
taxing role. But I take only two lessons
a week.
Every afternoon 1 visit the CALLER
les. parks, shops. and boulevardes. Sun
days l devote to the churches, BASIL
icas. and cathedrals. l shall not use
French or singing in Polly Primrose. >
to be sure. but they will come in handy
some day, and in any event my voice
will be improved and strengthened.
You know 1 shall have to play little
snatches on the harpsichord all the way
through the second act of Polly Prim-
rose and where would be now if had
not devoted earlier years to my music {:
Study can after all be made a diversion.
prefer to consider it so. for thus taken
IT delights as we'll as informs, charms
as well as cultivates."
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
RedeCorating Chase's.
Vaudeville House Will Become French
in Design Instead of Moorish.

The redecoration OF Chase's Theater
now at its height, will be complete
when the theater opens in September.
Indications OF the extensive improve
ments going on inside the house appear
from the scanolding about the entrance
arch. This scaffolding extends through
out the theater, to enable the decorators
to reach the entrance arch and the cell
ings of the lobby and the auditorium.
is directing the work of transformation
from the present Moorish color design
to that OF the French Renaissance.
From somber nile green and other colors
OF the Moorish style IL will before the
opening become a combination OF ruby
red. ivory and gold.
Beginning at the main door burlaps
will form dado along the walls. This
will be colored a dark ruby red and the
walls above another tint OF the same
color. The same scheme will be follow
ed on the walls of the auditorium. excent
that the ceiling and portions OF the
walls above the dado will carry plastic
relief designs heavily covered with gold
leaf. These three colors will be painted
throughout the theater and completely
change its decorative character, making
II so far as the eye is concerned practi-
cally new in appearance.
The boxes will receive particular at
tention. Heroic size figures will be
painted upon the proscenium arch az
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
Bad PoetTU Not Good Drama.
Caustic Comment on Alfred Austin's
"Flodden Field"

A writer in the London Saturday. Re
view comments thus causticaIly on Mr.
Austin's "Flodden Field" recently play
ed in London:
The same sense of disappointment
lies in the language. The words are
such good words. so Shakespearean, so
old English. so poetic. In their COM
pany We expect great thoughts, fine
resonances. speaking pictures; and We
get flet EIatitude.
The situations, too, lead to a like
bathcs. and the last is the worst Sur
reg sends to Lady Heron after the bat
tie the dead body OF King James. a
situation was almost Aeschylean. In
stead one thought Of the Frogs and
when Lady Heron ended her ira gic
greeting by saying. as she would to her
servant, If the soup were greasy, Take
il away one almost expected to see
King James. like the corpse in the
Frogs sit up and protest. Lady Heron's
suicide followed; and that this at any
rate was a real climax. eliminating
curtain l have not the courage to
deny. She speaks ten lines in cres-
cendo; and, on a careful reckoning, her
decalogus is found to contain eleven
notes of interrogation and two rhetori-
cal questions.
There's drama! 'Whaur's your Wul-
lie Shakspere moor and the rest
Nevertheless, apart from the punctua-
tion, the conclusion seems to be that
bad poetry does not necessarily evolve
into good drama"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02

subjected to the most agonizing of emo
tional tortures, to all of which, beyond
doubt. the expert and invincible Sarah
will give the fullest and most thrilling
expression.
Mr. Frohman has not yet announced
the name of the actress to whom the
part will be intrusted on this side of the
water. and it is scarcely worth while to
guess at it, But It is not Bernhard.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
Mrs. Langtry's Plans.
Will Arrive at New York in September
and Begin Long Tour.

Letters from Mrs Langtry state that
she is hard at work preparing for her
return to America and her next sea-
sons tour. which will be an extensive
one. This, her attention to her racing
stables at Newmarket. and the social
functions at her London house on Ted
worth Square fully occupy all of her
time.
Her season will open in New York
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
Ho, for a New Stagel

The only possible solution Of the pres
ent shortcomings at Covent Garden Is
to spend s1,000,000 sterling on a new
stage, not forgetting TO inclose this
stage in a new opera house miles away
from the fetid neighborhood of Coyent
Garden How anyone, except with a per-
verted taste. can enjoy Wagner and the
odor of decaying vegetables and sinking
gas pipes is pathologic mystery. The
situated as 1t is IL a noisy wilderness
Of Tenderloin cafes Compared 10 Co
vent Garden 1t is 4 palace OF luxury in
a forest of fowers.-James Huneker in
the New York Sun.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02

much fault was found by the critics be-
cause Of the alarming realism.
AT the first cycle there was almost a
panic when Gunther's hall tumbled down
with thunderous roar A huge joist re-
bounded and fell into the orchestra. Tho
flute player who was hit calmly re-
placed tie beam on the stage, using one
hand in the effort for il is made of
papier-mache. Not in Bayreuth is this
destruction so well managed. But
did not like the mock rocking horse
upon which BrunnhiIde disappears in
the flames nor was the Yalkyrfe ride
anything but wild dash of woolly NUT
ton through the clouds and back to the
butcher shop. The real horse, Crane.
was well-behaved animal that nibbled
away section of Hagen's whiskers; but
then any accident is apt to occur in tho
best regulated Wagner families. Per
haps he was after the singers tone pro-
ductioni
Altogether, Mr.. Nelson may be con-
graduated for acquitting himself well Of
an overwhelming task. He was warmly
praised by the critics worth while.
though l suppose Brother Messenger got
all the credit with the public. | net
the critic of the Paris Figaro" AMI
heard him mutter, Messenger est mar
veilleux," so I knew that Paris would
hear the good news in that form. And
what Paris doesn'- know about Richard
Wagner's music is voIuminous. The
Paris music lover gasps. 'Parsifal est
exquis." and he couldn't tell you If it
was the name of an aperitif or the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-21

On the official notification by the pope's medical attendants, that his holiness is In a critical condition. the sacrament Is set forth in all the churches in Rome. At St. Peters 1t is exposed on the high altar. covered with cloth of white lawn. which Is only removed on the death of the pope.
 Meanwhile summonses are sent by tele- graph to the foreign or absent cardinals, and those in Rome are called to the vati- can.
 On the death occurring the first steps to be taken are the official vociferation that the vicar of Christ is no more. The act, which is performed with a certain pre- scribed ceremony. devolves upon the Car dinal Camerlingo (Chamberlain), to whom on the demise of the Holy Father, the supreme authority for the time being Is committed Attired in full canonicals, his eminence, attended by the cardinals, pre- lates and laymen of high rank at the Papal court, proceeds to the chamber Of death. Knocking at the door with a wand of silver. the Cardinal Camerlingo enters the room and advancing to the couch on which lies the dead figure of the pope touches the breast and fore head and then, sinking on his knees. pro- claims in loud voice:
 "Domnus papa noster mortuus est" The fisherman's ring, and the other papal seals are then handed to the Cardinal Camerlingo together with a document formally attesting the death of the pope. As soon as this ceremony is accomplish ed the body is embalmed and attired In the pontifical vestment as q preliminary to the public exposition of the remains in St Peters. The body, which is com mitted to the charge of the papal cham berlains, Is first of all taken to the Sistine chapel, and thence by a covered way to the great basiica, where 1t lies in state for three days in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, reposing on richly draped couch. Four members of the noble guard watch over the remains day and night with drawn swords. The body is so ex- posed that the faithful, in defiling past can kiss the feet of the dead pontiff. While every church in Rome Is draped in mourning and masses for the repose of the soul of the departed, together with, the special prayer for the guidance of the church and of the new pope are said con stantly. During this time the arrange ments for the holding of the conclave are being perfected. The ten sacred con- gregations meet on the third day from the pope's death in the hall of the con- sistory and there appoint three members of their body, cardinal bishop, cardi- nal priest and cardinal deacon to form, with the Cardinal Cameringo, the tenn porary state executive On the first meet ing of the cardinals the Cardinal Cam erlingo reads the papal bulls touching the election of pope and then, in the presence of all, breaks the fshermans ring and seals of the deceased pontin. It is probable some proposal will be made to hold the conclave outside of Rome, but It may be taken for granted that this will be negatived Nowhere else could the requisite arrangements be made within the prescribed time.
 On the tenth or the latest the twelfth, day after the death of the pope the con-