The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04
AMERICAN STAR
WINS PLAUD|TS
Maxine Elliott Makes a Hit
in London in the Clyde
Fitch Play, "Her Own Way"
ROYALTY PATRONIZING
Hall Gaines ''Prodigal Son.
Is to Be Presented in
Near Future a, Drury Lane
Special Dispatch to The Call.


LONDON. June 3.-It would have been
rather pity If out of the three American
productions that recently opened in Lon
don within a few nights of each other
only Maxine Elliott's had failed to score.
At the outset, however, 1t looked as If
that would be the case. Both THE Die
tator' and Leah Kleschna" were hits
from the start, but the critics said unkind
things about the Fitch comedy, and 1t
seemed doubtful if even the attractive
ness of the star would be able to save it.
OF course, reports from the Lyric af-
firmed that Her Own Way" was play
ing to satisfactory business, but, expe-
rienced playgoers were skepticaL OF late,
however. there have been abundant signs
that the piece really is go. Most con-
vincing of all is Maxine Elliott's decision
to transfer the production to the Savoy
as soon as Its time Is UP at the Lyric
Miss Elliott originally took the Lyric for
only six weeks, at the end of which Mar
tin Harvey had it for the production of
Hamlet The failure of Mrs. Brown
Potter's ''Du Barri' put the Savoy on the
market, and Her Own Way" is to be
played there until the star gets ready to
start on her summer vacation. Royalty
is patronizing the American actress-a par
ticularly good sign. Meanwhile Leah
Kleschna" is playing to packed houses at
ehC 1SSW hCdlCL, WliiiC AiC IiOtoeOi
is said to be the biggest American sue
cess in London since THE Belle of New
York A company will be sent out i'm
medidtely to play the Davis comedy In
the provinces, while no less than three
will present Leah Kleschna" to play
goers outside of London.
FRENCH PLAYS DO NOT TAKE.
At the Haymarket, by the way. Every
body's Secret has not proved great
success, and the season is to be eked out
with revival of Pinero's famous COM
edy, THE Cabinet Minister"
Another French success that seems to
adapt" none too well is Octave Mir
beau's Les Affaires Sont les Affaires."
The English version, acted in the United
States by William H. Crane, does not
seem to have been a great money maker
mot as that which Sidney Grundy has
made for Beerbohm Tree conspicuous
success. Trees performance of Isadore
Lechat. the unscrupulous financier, is
perhaps the best thing he has done. and
alone should fill the theater for some
time. The play, however, is lacking in
what the British playgoer chiefly de-
mands-a love interest-and Is hardly
likely to be a popular success.
At Drury Lane plans for presenting
Hall Gaines "Prodigal Son"-which is
to be given simultaneously in the Unit
6Q SIdleS-dIt Wtll dQNdhCCd.
Not long ago it was announced that
Mrs Clayton Glyn. who wrote "rhe
Visits of Elizabeth" had tried her hand
at a play Mrs. JGlyn's piece is called
The Old Order Changeth" 1t was per-
formed by society amateurs at Harlow
with the authbress herself in the cast
Another society woman. the Hon. Mrs
Arthur Hennfker. has written COM
edy called "T'he Waiting Hour" It
will be put on in the course of week
or two at the Kings Theater, a Lon
don suburban playhouse. So far the
only piece by member of the aristoc-
racy which has really amounted TO
anything was the Hon. Mrs. Alfred Lyt-
teltops piece, Warp and Woof."
PLAY-WRITING CLERGYMAN.
The Rev Forbes Phillips, the play
writing vicar of Gorleston. is applying
Christian virtues to dramatic work. He
has pluck and perseverance, and is not
easily discouraged. His Church and
Stage" which was produced at the Sa-
voy Theater few months ago. with
Mrs. Brown-Potter in the leading role,
was a failure. Pious folk who were
scandalized at the idea of a parson
writing plays devoutly hoped that
would deter him from repeating the ex-
pertinent and that henceforth he would
stick to the pulpit. They have been
sadly disappointed. Instead of accept
ing the popular verdict In contrite
and humble spirit as a providential
chastisement designated TO keep him
to the straight and narrow path of
clerical duties, he Immediately set to
work writing another play. Lord Dan
by's Love Affair" In surprisingly
short time he finished it and 1t is now
being tried on the provinces. In
strength and vigor 1t exhibits such
great improvement over his former
play that kindly cricits are predicting
he will vet make a much higher mark
as a dramatist than he Is ever likely to
achieve as a preacher.