Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-08

Miss Dorothy Hammock of the Columbia
Theater Company ia Washington girl
whose success and attainments during the
few years that she has been on the stage
point to an exceedingly promising career
as an actress Miss Hammack Is well
known among wide circle of friends,
among whom she is very popular In Wash
iEgtcn. Two years ago she secured her
first important engagement in James K.
Hackett's production of The Crown
Prince. in which she created a role that
made a pleasing impression on the occa-
sion of It's premiere at the Court Square
Theater at Springfield Mass. Miss Char
lotte Walker, who was lending lady at the
Columbia Theater last summer, was lead
ing woman for Mr.. Hackett on that occa-
sion and Miss Hammack played second lead
ing lady. Last season Miss Hammock was
with the County Chairman company, In
which she gave delightful rendition OF
the comedy character OF Lorena, the village
hirt, when she knew $50 many travelling
men This was the most important en-
gsgement she had played and her interpre-
tation OF the character of Lorena stamped
her young actress Of more than ordinary
ability. Miss Hammack has been with the
Columbia Theater Company since the OPEN
ing of its season and has been favorably
seen in important roles In THE Idler." 10
seph Entangled," THE LIARS" Pink DOM
mos, Jane" and the other important and
highly creditable REVEALS made by Mr..
Standing and his associates IN the stock or
ganization.
The test of histrionic ability comes when
the actor or actres is confronted with
sudden opportunity which must be meas
ured up TO without flinching or lost through
inability TO make good" Such an oppor-
tunity came to Miss Hammack on the even
Ing of Thursday. June 81 last, on the stage
of the Columbia. The company had been
presenting for that week Henry Arthur
Jones Joseph Entangled." which was seen
mere Tor the first time at popular prices.
The leading feminine role. that of Lady Yer
ona Wayne, was g. very difficult one and had
been intrusted to Miss Dorothy Hammond.
the leading woman of the company. Miss
Hammond played the part successfully
until Thursday evening when. on account of
a sudden attack of illness on the previous
evening she WAS unable to appear On
Wednesday evening Miss Hammond, not
wtthstanding the pain she was suffering,
bravely went through the ordeal of pleasing
the crowded house across the footights, but
the nervous strain was such that immedi-
ately after the performance she tainted.
She had to be placed fmmedia tely under
the care Of a physician, and It will not be
until tomorrow night that she will be able
TO reappear with the Columbia company as
leading woman
The Illness OF Miss Hammond created an
important vacancy in the cast. There was
no understudy, and unless some one could
be secured to properly enact the role of
Lady Verona the matinee on the following
afternoon and perhaps the three remaining
evening performances would have to be
abandoned. 1t was decided to intrust the
role to Miss Hammack. who had been play
ing the part OF Lady Joyce Fanmere the
preceding performances OF the comedy.
Miss Hammack was chosen at midnight OF
Thursday and had only two hours In which
TO learn and -rehearse the part which Miss
Hammond had been playing. She memo
rized the lines before retiring that evening
and studied out the stage business the
following morning early. At 10 O'Clock the
rehearsal called and at o'clock the
matinee curtain rose. Mr.. Standing stepped