Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-19

THE THREATENED VAUDEVILLE IN
VASION.-The report published last Satur-
day to the effect that the Shea and allied
vaudeville interests intended an invasion of
Washington next season, and republished
in New York city, has brought forth tele-
grams from both of the Sheas and Mr..
Behman stating that they have no inten-
ton to trespass upon Mr. Chase's territory
In the event of vaudeville war; it is
considered probable that Washington will
remain neutral territory, as Mr.. Chase is
very much liked by his associate managers
who have made him three consecutive terms
president of the Vaudeville Managers AS
sociation. In any event, it is stated IN be-
half of Mr. Chase that he does not invite
or fear competition, particularly as pohte
vaudeville is his own conception, ana ne Is
confident that the Washington pubic would
reluctantly accept any other classlilcatioh'
THE BEGINNINGS OF SUCCESSES
That it is not always the most successful
plays which give most promise at the time
of their initial production is rather star
tingly -exemplifed in the case OF way
Down East which has made more money
than has any other rural drama and yet
which looked exceedingly like failure for
six months after it's premiere. The critics
of the west damned the piece with ex-
ceedngly faint praise and the critics Of
the east were anything but enthusiastic in
their commendat ton. William A. Brady and
Joseph Grismer, who had spent fortune
in giving it an elaborate mounting, We're
about the only persons connected with the
presentation who did not lose faith in II,
and but for their conStancy to their origi-
nal opinion the interpreting company might
have been closed very shortly after 1t
opened Nobody in the least familiar with
the business of the theater need be told
now that this stubborness made million
dollars.
evening of August %, 1897, at Newport, r.
l. The newspapers spoke of it patroniZingly
and the engagement brought forth no de-
velopment that limited of the real value of
the offering. Mr.. GriSmer made numerous
changes in the construction of the play.
and in its new form it was reproduced at
the Schiller, now the Garrick, Theater,
Chicago. The results weer not overly pleas
ing. The same reviewers who afterward ac-
knOwledged their error could find little
good in the presentation, which was taken
to New York and revealed to the public of
that metropolis at the Manhattan Theater.
I, 1898. History repeated itself so far as
criticism was concerned. Even the mem
bers of the cast were in despair.
But for some reason business, which had
been bad during the first fortnight, sud-
denly began soaring. Within month it
became common thing for the house TO
be 'SOiQ out week anedQ. Inc Time
booked was short and the manager of the
theater unwilling or unable to extend
it. Mr.. Brady promptly leased the Manhat-
tan for a term of five years and announced
that the run of the piece would be indef-
nitely long way Down East" continued
to crowd the commodious place of amuse-
ment until July 2, when hot weather caused
its withdrawal. 1t had entered New York
a seeming failure; it left the city an as
sured success.
AT the beginning of the following season
three companies were organized and have
remained in existence ever since Each has
accomplished remarkable records, the sec
ond playing from August - to December
IL in San Francisco. Way Down East
was introduced to Boston on August 15
1898, at the fremont Theater, where it aft
erward had 2S2 performances. Then fol-
lowed two months at the Chestnut Street
Theater, Philadelphia, and nine months at
the Academy of Music, New York this lat
ter breaking all records for return engage
ments. The rural play was, sent back to
Chicago, where its first performances had
been unsuccessful, and in eleven weeks il
drew receipts amounting to $1,000 at Nc
Vlckers Theater. This same business has
been twice repeated since. way Down
East has been acted in every city and town
in the United States, and Mr.. Brady in
partnership with Williamson & Musgrove
is now organizing cast to interpret the
piece in Australia. At the end of the pres
ent season Way Down East will have
cleared considerably over million dollars
A WASHERS IMPUDENCE.-One of the
members of the way Down East com
pany is Marion Louise Shirley, clever
young woman, who in four years expert
ence on the stage has learned what many
aspirants do not master in ten. Miss Shir-
ley is something of beauty-blonde and
petite-and resultantly she has not been
immune from those unpleasant incidents
suffered by every girl who has to fight her
own battles with the world. An episode of
a really humorous nature occurred when
had removed her makeup one day after
the matinee and was walking hoteiWard.
when she noticed that she was being fol-
lowed She quickened her pace but in vain,
for the pursuer, lanky youth soon came
up with her. Doffing his hat he inquired;
Pardon me, but didn't meet you once on
the Furst Bismarck
Miss Shirley glared at him icily mo"
she replied in frapeed tones, II never have
been abroad"
But the youth was unmoved. "Ah,'' he
said Suavely. Il shouldn't let that worry
me; neither have t. And he walked away
Miss Shirley declares she was so taken
aback by the mans impudence that she
forgot to be frightened.
THEATRICAL SLANG.-Robert Fischer
who still is appearing as Squire Bartlett In
Way Down East" has devoted a great
deal of his time during the past few years
to the compilation of material for what
should prove to be unique and interest
ing book. This volume is to be nothing
less than a dictionary of theatrical slang
the amount OF which passing current in
creases every day, and already has reached
startling proportions. Mr.. Fischer has
gathered his specimens from recollection.
from conversation and from various
writers, among them Judge Horton, who
recently contributed an excellent article on
the subject to the Detroit Free Press. The
glossary now being prepared VIII be sup
plemented by a commentary, and will be
divided into three parts. headed respective
ly, Obsolete Theatrical Slang" "Contem-
porary Theatrical Slang and Theatrical
Slang That Has Become Good English"
The citations of Mr.. Fischer are about
2,000 in number, from which some few may
be quoted with profit to the reader. To
members OF the theatrical profession a
successful performance is "a HIT" while a
failure Is "a frost" The performer him
self either makes good or Is ''punkey.
In referring to big business. 1t Is said I'VE
stood 'em up" and being denied the GUS
tomary courtesies by a manager Is being
turned down." A role which affords OPP
portunity for creditable acting Is a FIAT
part" lines which make an appeal to a