The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-29
Local Events.
What the Local Theaters Have to Of
fer This Week.

fer This Week.
The hot spell OF last week has ap-
parently dampened not a whit the en-
terprise of the local managers. and, in
deed. their confidence seems to be well
placed While the warm weather last
ed, II had the natural effect In cutting
down attendance. but IL was good judg-
ment to reason that what was lost then
would be regained with the more COM
Portable temperature that was sure to
follow.
A promising line of attractions is an
nounced for this week by the various
stock organizations which are almost
monopolizing the local field at the preS-
ent time The Columbia will become
quite ambitious with a production Of
Soldiers of Fortune" the play made
by Augustus Thomas from Richard
Harding Davis story. Edwin Arden
will. Of course. act Robert Blossoms old
part of Clay. the American civil en-
gineer.
Soldiers Of Fortune" which is in
classification a rafting melodrama. had
the honor of solidly establishing Edeson
as a star. When II finally was whip
ped into shape. it won hands down with
the public. but the amount Of hard work
that IL took 10 get It into shape was
at the time the despair OF both
dramatist and managers
Those who have seen the play will re-
call the climax where CLAW stands on
the stairs and hold in check the en-
tire army of the rebellious Central
American republic. II was a thrilling
stage picture. and always was good for
number Of recalls. But 1t took some
thing like a dozen rewritings OF the
scene to make it go.
The trouble was 70 make plausible
Clay's anomalous position In defyinz
alone an army. He did II with sword
and with pistols. guns and dynamite
cartridges. Every one OF them was
ridiculous. and it seemed most ridicu-
lous Of all to suggest that he do the
deed with his voice. Some did suggest
IT. however. and in desperation. the ex-
pedient was tried. 1t proved just the
/ thing TO carry the audience. which ap-
parently never noticed the incongrufty
OF the situation at all
Why was IL that such a PATIENTLY
harmless weapon as a voice won out
where guns and pistols and swords
lailed2 IL Is not such a difficult propo-
sition when one analyses the situation.
Clay mastered the army by mental
force. he had TO master IT that way.
for physically he was entirely its in
Terror But guns and pistols were ma
terial weapons. and used materially.
even as symbols Of mental power. they
failed TO convince. The voice, however,
heard but not pictorially in evidence.
WAS genuine symbol of Clay's mental
| superiority, and being such, II con-
WINGED the audience.
I Another OF Frank Daniels old time
successes will be done at the Lafayette
| Opera House-"The Idols Eye" by
Victor Herbert and Harry B. Smith
II Is thoroughly familiar to playgoers
OF the city, who have often enjoyed its
pretty music and whimsical book. Fred
Frear viii have Daniels old part and
Estelle Wentworth will be the prima
donna
Paul Spadoni. who Is heraIded as the
strong man OF the hour. not excepting
that most ingenious of all advertisers,
| Eugene Sandow. will be the chief at
traction in the vaudeville bill at Chase's
this week His great speciality IS Jug
Cling cannon balls and catching them on
tho nape OF his neck.
One Of the seasons popular successes
ia the melodramatic line will come 10
the Academy. The play Is called ION
the Bridge at Midnight" and will in
! troduce the German character comedian.
George Klimt. as a leading feature Of
the cast.
The Empire Theater will reopen its
doors. after a week Of darkness, with
the colored show. THE Policy Players, F."
which made a hit az this house two
weeks ago. Ernest Hogan, considered
one Of the best comedians OF his race,
has been especially engaged.
Kernan's Lyceum will start its stock
/ nTITIaanfIa srrfeF H.
/ new company In a pair of smart bills
| and the customary olio.