Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06

us denoting the beginning OF
the end of the regular theatrical
season in Washington. Employ
ing the vernacular of the street.
the end Is mot yet. but soon" But
few more weeks and some of the local
stages. now occupied by theatric representa-
tons Of hilarious scenes and dramatic cpl
sodes. will be transformed into thresholds
OF lfe'-gorgeously decorated IN wondrous
symbolic colors-whence numerous prouo
and courageous young men and women Will
step to do battle with the world" ana
take fall out of it, perchance. And the
Transformation will extend to the audito-
RUINS, too In short while those seats
now occupied at so much per by persons
of more or less critical minds who must be
entertained will be filed by the fond par
ents and admiring friends of the young
people on the stage who are just entering
the cast In the greatest play of ell. There
will be no anxiety to entertain these latter
auditors they will not have come to the
playhouse for entertainment, and won't ex-
pect it. Strains of melody from rehearsa1s
of music graduates, echoes Of the sonorous
sentences of commencement orators ana
the click of the tailors scissors cutting
out ominous- looking black robes and gay
white fluffy dress stuffs may be heard about
the town, telling plainly, although per-
haps not so agreeably, as the songs of the
birds that it is nearing time to put the
matinee sign In storage and let down the
box office window for the close of the regu-
lar season.
Other signs of the near termination Of
the regular season are found in the an
nounced "try-out'' performances of pro-
II q nrOnOGal set at1OaI
on the sea of popular favor when more
propitious time arrives, and in the open
ing of the summer stock companies-two
the past week. Then, too, there Is noticed
at this season a steadily increasing apathy
of the theater-g going public to remain IN
doors when the moon and stars make light
the way to refreshing river and rural re-
sorts and the alluring breezes OF the night
keep whispering Of cool spots in the open
air But there is no small number of per-
sons, apparently, who wish that the play
houses would never take recess. That
could not be. The hard-working play
wrights must be given a chance to eaten
UP with the demand for plays. The past
season has been a trying one for these
writers. So many of their efforts have been
rejected, and the supply. 1t seems, has been
almost exhausted. In a large number or
instances the child of the popular play
wrightg brain"-the optimistic press agents
favorite designation for new production
was trotted out for inspection this year and
sent back to the nursery Competition IN
the show business has become sharp and
the public's likes and dislikes very uneer-
tain Many managers have found that
sending out the children Of popular
authors brains is not profitable, even when
IT. opd aAa Iant q e secured
to present them 1t is a fuil-grown, able-
to-walk- play that is demanded now.
X X
The prospects at this time are decidedly
promising for an abundance of theatrical
entertainment in the capital city during the
warm weather period. Last weeks open
ing performances of the summer stock
companies at the Belascos and Columbia
theaters Indicated the notable efficiency
of both companies, and the proposed rep
ertory of each organization contains plays
that should be attractive to the public.
X \
1.-THE Indiscretion OF Truth" J. Hart
lev Manners new play. which had Its pre-
mer at the Columbia Monday night, I'M
derwent considerable change from the
initial performance during the week. The
alterations made in the piece have improved
1t. but there will probably still be specu-
lation as to it's ultimate fate when 1t
strikes the metropolis, where. 1t Is stated,
Mr.. Guy Standing proposes to take 1t at
the opening of next season. 1t requires
more than a prophet to foretell what turn
the fancy of New York playgoers may
take Although the theme of Mr.. Manners
latest effort is not original or novel, the
plot is worked out in excellent manner and
contains much that appeals to the interest
of the auditor. The elimination of the
monologue fourth act. which had practi-
callv no connection with the play, but was
tackled onto it originally, Is an improve
l. ment, but the cutting off process has left
rather an abrupt ending of the story 1t
may be expected that before the piece is
placed before the public again its defects
will have been remedied and 1t will make
a stronger bid for favor than in It's pres
ent incomplete state.
One incident Of particular interest among
things theatrical in Washington last week
was the return of Miss Clara Morris to
the stare after an absence of a number of
wears. Miss Morris appeared IN the role of
Judith Grange, the old dumb housekeeper,
in '',The Indiscretion OF Truth, and gave
an impressive and artistic portrayal of the
role, particularly In the Garner mimeuc
scenes In addition to her work. which
was characterized by flashes of her old-time
spirit and magnetism, the personality OF
Miss Morris had special charm for the
auditors.
X II
Charles Richman and a splendid com
pany. in "Gallops, delighted good-sized
| audiences at the National throughout the
week It is a clever little play, light in
| construction, but thoroughly entertaining
| and wholesome. The Nationals regular
| season will continue for several weeks yet.
| with two premier performances In pros
pect.
FROM THE RANCH TO THE STAGE