Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-05

Two of the most notable players of the
time nave m aGe the theatric week here an
exceptional one Mrs Fisk Is an artist
whose efforts have possessed consistent
pnd courageous literary dignity that over
Shadows all other considera lions in the con-
temptation of her art. Whatever she does
is worthy Of close intelligent consideration,
and she has departed from the beaten path
way and developed much that would have
had no existence but for her efforts. Her
Tess of the dUrbervilles" and her
Becky Sharp" are both well remembered
in this city. Without surprising either of
these, her Mary of Magdala" is distinctive
and scholarly.
1t was hardly thought some half dozen
years a 20 or so when a farce was pro-
duced by a stock company at the Columbia
Theater entitled His Little Dodge that It's
author would one day be accounted fit to
supersede Shakespeare himself in the re-
pertOry of one of Americas most distin-
guished actors. The author of that now for
gotten play was j. II. Mccarthy, who has
since given so handsome an account of him
self by IF l Were King and The Proud
Prince" Mr.. Sothern's enga cement has
been a remarkable one in many respects,
and this production gives him a lofty and
secure position in the dramatic world. His
company, too. is an exceptionally good one.
John Findley's work the jester Is excel
lent, although quite overshadowed by the
fact that the star assumes this personality
during the important scenes of the play.
On Monday night it was shock to hear
the speech tend below his familiar demand.
Ordinarily there is no harm in the appear
ance of player before the curtain to &C
knowledge, in propria persona, the friendly
and complimentary expressions of an au-
dience. But in a play like The Proud
Prince" when an audience has been moved
almost to reverent awe by the scenes, to ask
that an actor step forward and wreck the
illusion upon which the whole structure de-
ponds is absolute vandalism. Mr.. Sothern
was of course. too much of an artist TO &C
cede TO these well-meant but ill-cOnsidered
invitations.
MIR. Sotherns coming season will be re-
markable one. His association with Miss
Narlowe should insure fine production of
'Rcmeo and Juliet" which play would
naturally be expected to find a place in
their repertory. Miss Lotus will be pre-
scented a star. Her name is an i'm
pcrtant addition to an already remarkably
long list of feminine stars who are now in
process of exploitation. To properly fit all
Of them will make busy days for the play
wrights.
And yet Fay Templeton who is featured
equally with an entire musical comedy at
traction-words, music chorus and all-is
an assurance that 1t is not necessary to
be star in order to win a high place in
the regard Of theatergoers Season after
season she has gone her way winning ap-
plause without any apparent personal effort
for publicity. She has had no trouble In
being recognized as one of the foremost
performers in the theatric world, justifying
even the panegyrics of the press agent, yet
1t Is not until this late day that she joins
the mighty constellation and is announced
as star. 1t is almost a cause of regret
TO see her luminosity of talent classified
with so numerous an assemblage of mild
and often Intellectual twinklers