Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-08
MUSIC

The awakening of the theatrical season
| in Washington may be said to have oc-
Cured this week with two performances
of extraordinary magnitude, and both OF
them unfamiliar as yet in New York city,
where they are expected to establish
themselves for long runs. The produc-
ton of the new Sardou play, THE Sorcer-
ess" by Mrs. Patrick Campbell was an
event of extraordinary interest Bern
hardt has always had an American rep
resentative to reflect her successes
abroad For many years it was Fanny
Davenport, and with her death there
seemed small prospects of the place be-
ing filed until Maude Adams came for
ward with her phenomenal success in
'L'AigIon" But a rule the characters
essayed by the tempestuous Bernhardt
are outside the limits of the gentle genius
which inspires Miss Adams delightful
portrayals. She is distinguished by pathos
ra Their than power. Mrs. Patrick Camp
bell is the latest American player to be
intrusted with the task of transplantlng
the creations of the Theater Francois. 1t
is true that Mrs. Patrick Campbell is by
birth an Englishwoman, but her triumphs
have been so numerous in this country
that it is not improper to regard her as
native product so far as her art Is con-
cerned. In The Sorceress' she reveals,
on n broader and more elevated plane, the
subtle power which distinguished her
performances in the modern emotional
plays which until now have constituted
her repertory. Sardou's latest play IS
tragic in conception and melodramatic in
treatment. 1t is a study in stage eHects
rather than study of human nature.
Surprises which have been utilized by
dramatic writers until they no longer
surprise; stage tricks which, though
startling at the outset have grown as
familiar as the simple ingredients OF love,
hatred and jealousy have been utilized
by Sardou with the freedom of one VINO
feels that he is handling his own ma
terials. But the Sardou school of play
writing has been so industriously copied
and its resources so diligently worked
that it is doubtful whether Sardou him.
self could reasonably be expected to de-
velop anything novel. The production
gave Mr.. Guy Standing a magnificent OPP
portunity. Just how great this oppor-
tunity is may be measured by the fact
that years ago Robert Manten stepped
from comparative obscurity into fame by
his performance of LOris Ipanof in Fanny
Davenport's production of Fedora Phe-
nomenaI successes of that kind are seldom
made now, the rise of the actor being so
gradual as to seem like a course of regular
promotion Mr.. Standing acquitted himself
creditably, though without any aggressive
brilliancy.
oE,ritzi Scbeff'' is the real title, no matter
what name may be devised for the piece in
v,bicb she appears. 1t will be found difficult
for authors and composers to construct
work which will not depend almost en-
tirely upon her personality. 1t was to see
and hear FRITZ Scheff that audiences as
sembled at the National Theater this week.
The opera was a subordinate consideration.
Her distinguished success is liable to tempt
SO many grand opera singers to the lyric
stage that unless the exodus is checked the
Metropolitan Grand Opera forces may be
seriously depleted.
x
Harry Beresford, though previously
| known in this city, secured a hearing at the
Lafayette Opera House and won many
friends who will no doubt see to it that any
future visit of his will have more abundant
recognition. He is a really capable actor,
with gift for comedy of the more legiti-
mate sort
At Chase's Theater Mcintyre and Heath
made what may be their farewell appear
ance in vaudeville, for they are said to be
cterishing stellar ambitions They presented
a sketch that constituted one of their stand
bys many years ago, when they were play
ing in variety houses. That was before such
thing as polite vaudeville was known. 1t
was hardly suspected then that their names
would become such potent quantities in the
amusement world. Their sketch has chang
ed but little since then. yet it is one of the
most satisfactory that the vaudeville man
ayers can secure. Initially, 1t was regarded
as nothing extraordinary. And probably
there are many more such diamonds gilt
tering unnoted in the dust heap.