The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-04
The Weeks Lessons
What About THE Fortunes
of the Kinq2" Opera for
Miss Van Studdiford.
FaVeTsham and the New
Bills.

Bills.
Judgment on the new Hackett play was
suspended by The Times last Tuesday
In the hope that playwrights and star
might whip 'The Fortunes of the King
into better shape. The initial perform
ance was disturbed by a great deal of
gravel in the cOgs; the dialogue was
Jerky: the situations We're roughly de-
veloped: the tableaux were incomplete
and Mr.. Courtleigh"s unexpected APP
pearanee IN the cast babe illusion def
ance.
AS the play was disclosed that first
day. however. il promised 10 be divert
ing. pleasant. light. and interesting. .IFs
text is far more worth hearing than
that Of the average romantic play. Its
situations combine most of the attrac-
tions offered by other romantic plays
Mr.. Hackett walks through it as its
central figure. not only by virtue of
much ability as an actor, but because
the playwrights have deliberately stuck
him with all his personahsm in the mid
die OF the spectators eye. And the
several scenes are surprisingly effective
and beautiful.
Better Than Commonplace
: That is the whole story. THE For
tunes Of the King" is better than COM
monplace. but no more than that. Its
text is worth hearing. but il is not
great It's situations do combine much
that was attractive in other plays. and
so they seem nightly familiar. Mr.,
+ Hackett is conspicuous, but il were
( better If he We're conspicuous by viz
tue Of the best use OF his talents. And
pretty scenes are only the threshold OF
true dramatic art
New York may go wild over The For
tunes Of the King IL knows no bet
ter. Its favor. even il il conceded with
The most discriminating taste, is be-
! slowed as the wind blows and no man
( knoweth the law thereof But the rest
of the country. In the exercise of its
intelligent judgment viii probably ex-
tend 10 this Qualification Of "A shame
less pOltroOn much the same support
as 1t gave to Rupert Of Hentzau" and
The Crown Prince
The review of Tuesday expressed the
hOpe-which IL felt would be echoed by
all who esteem romantic art--that AZ
HaCkett's new play might prove "a pro-
nOunced success. This Is true as gospel
Mr.. Hackett is a serious. earnest. artis-
tie ambitious man. He has never done
ANYTHING unwOrthily He has had the
courage and strength 10 oppose the
theatrical syndicate with all bis might
Wherever lie goes art finds honest and
valuable support
A new play for Mr.. Hackett. then. may
mean either a setback for one OF the
most stalwart follower OF the stage. or
a great encouragement To rieht artistic
aims II is fair TO sag that every earnest
dramatic critic In America who reads
these trst reviews Of The Fortunes OF
the King does so In an attitude Of
hoDefulness. How dOubly unfortunate II
Is then. that the verdict must be ..bet-
Ter than commonplace. but no more than
that"
Good Opera in Sight.
Miss Van studdiford is rising toward
pre-eninence among our comic prime
donne. Her voice grows better every
year. Her acting has always been good
Her personality increases in charm. And
her operas have been steadily imDrov-
Ing. IL Is the understanding that Mr.
De koYen and Miss Van Studdiford's
manager. Arthur Bradley. are consider
---- A-aN va inns iL lltbAlltl opera her
There is however little likelihood that
the former will find time for the work
what with contracts for two other
operas and a symphony on his hands.
II that prove true the music is 90 b.
done by Victor Herbert. ATr. Bradley is /
man Of the most artistic tastes. a8
Omniverous and retentiye reader. and
serious playwright The product of
his labOrs with either Of the TWO COM
posers. Interpreted Dy Miss Van stud
diford and good company. VIII De a
me addition 20 our store OF oBer4fic /
music.
"Cohen's Luck" is rewrite of "a I.
business Man" written as Il starring +.
medium for William Norris. IL is a /
lair Play. but that is ALL Mr.. WEIGH .
ADDS another name 10 the RON headed by /
David Warheld. The Glasses bl pleas I
ed, AT the Academy lannon's SUPER /
ba" did the rushing business which
might have been expected for So good
an attraction FOR any heater.
Next week brings sir. Faverssau
carlotte Nelson. and Julie OPP IN IL play /
other cities have accepted as "al5o-
gether charming" II Is by PInero. con-
Germs the invariabie Pinero subjsct-aI-
though, according 10 the outline of It's
plot. IT reveals a tardy correction of.the
Finero attitude-and Is called Lefty"
The cast Is most noteworthy. ..Tbe
Prince OF Piisen' cones back trluu-
plant ~ is, perhaps, the best OF an
the music3l comedies Chase's cou-
tinues It's series OF musical bills with
quartet from The Metropolitan Grand
Opera Company. Girls viii be Girls"
comes back In response 10 an insistent
demand. And the Academy interp8ses
''The Flaming ARROW between
''Superba" and Thomas +. Shea's an-
naal engagement.
There Is much that Is old. but there