The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-17
Enter Independents
Belasco's and the Shuberts'
Acquisition of Local Thea
ters an Event of Interest
to Frequenters of Play
houses.

The invasion of Washington by the
independent" managers and producers
Of plays is an event of more than pass
ing interest to the patrons of theaters.
Not only is this city now included I'm
the list of battlefields on which the war
between the trust and the recalci-
trauts is Ito be fought to- a fin
ism, but our people win have the
opportunity to see plays and players that
under the absolute sway of the syndi-
cate could not have found their way to
LEGAL theaters. 1t is more than likely
also to have more far-reaching conse-
quences which, however, this is neither
the place nor time to discourse upon
1t is a well-known fact that Mr. Be
1asco, as we'll as his allies, the Shu-
berts. have for a long time endeavored
to gain a foothold in Washington Mr..
Bclasco's expensive experiment last sea-
son, at Convention Hail. was a salient
feature of these efforts. Notwithstand-
ing the most strenuous campaign they
were unsuccessful. and il was supposed
that the National Capital in matters
theatrical was .'cinched' by the syndi-
cate Perseverance and capital, how
ever. have triuznphed, and the latest
development is the control by the in
dependents" OF three theaters in this
city and OF other places of amusement
In other cities as result of their coali-
ton with the Stair-Havlin forces.
To those to whom the theater has be-
come regular ingredient Of their men
tai pabulum these developments must
be extremely gratifying. With the I'M
DERIVING causes OF the trouble between
the trust" and the independents the
public has no concern and takes little
or no interest in them But It was q
matter OF some Importance that by rea-
son Of these troubles Washington was
terra fnterdicta" to such attractions
as can now be presented here. The
chain OF theaters controlled by Mr.
Belasco and the Messrs. Shubert make:
It possible for them to book the attrac
tons under their own management, ans
that OF Harrison Grey Fiske and Franz
l. Perley. for fun season OF fort,
weeks. and this being the case. It Il
more than probable that other leadin;
actors and attractions will not hesitat'
TO join the new combination 1t goei
without saying that the public will real
the benefit OF this revolution.
II is worth while to con the list o
plays and players whom the "independ
cnts' viii be alb 10 offer in Washing
ton Among th1m are Sarah Bern
hardt- in repertoire; Ada Rehan. Il
Captain BraSsbound's Conversion; -
Henry Russell Grand Opera Company
Jefferson de Angels. in ''Fantana;" d,
Wolf Hopper. in ''Happyland:" Eddi
Foy, In 1.-THE Earl and the GIRL" "Babe
IN the Wood ''The Jury of Fate,
The Secret Orchard Alice Nielsen
Paula Edwardes. Grace Van Studdi
ford. in Lady Teazle;'' The Roya
Chef" Henry Miller. Margaret Anglin
wang" David Warfield. in THE Musi
Master" Mrs. Leslie Carter. ii
ASrea:" Blanche Bates, in The Cir
from the Golden west" Bertha Galland
in ''Swee: Kitty BeIlairs.." Valeri
Bergsre, in The Darling OF the Gods :;
Of Maryland" Mrs. Fiske. in .'Leal
Kleschna." Bertha Kalisch. in roper
toire; Mary and John"
However noteworthy are many-per
haps the major.ty-of the offerings o
the syndicate, X cannot be denied tina
In the foregoing list there are a number
of the enjoyment of which. the Wash
fngfon theater-freouenting public woul,
hardly like TO be deprived. The enter
prise OF Mr.. Belasco and the Messrs
Shubert. therefore. Is greeted wit
warmest approval by the people of tn
National Capital