The Washington herald., 1906-11-04

Belaseo wishes to indicate the fact that
the period OF the play Is that Of the old
/ Spanish days before the Mexican war.
The succession Of reform waves that Is
changing the face Of things in general in
this country hasn't yet given rise 10 a
Society for the Protection of Adjectives
and more's the pity. The need for such
a society is becoming acute. The adject-
i've Is crying TO heaven for protection
and vengeance. Writers for the theatrical
press and theatrical press agents IN par
/ ueular are daily, hourly inlcting tor
lures on this part Of speech comparable
! only to the outrages inflicted by the
Cars Cossacks on the helpless Russian
! peasants. These people simply have no
bowels OF compassion in their dealings
with the adjective. especially IN its super
!atiye form. Most OF them ECOrn 10 make
use or anything but the superlative form,
and that they keep on the rack without
fear and without remorse week IN and
week cut from seasons beginning until
seasons end Every success is the great
est success ever pulled OF. right up TO the
very hour when the play is withdrawn be-
cause the public absolutely refuses 70 go
10 see it al any price. Each piece an au-
thor writes. each production a manager
engineers, is the best ever. The hit OF the
farce comedian in his latest skit is the
most pronounced OF his most successful Of
esreers. The gowns worn by the prima
donna or leading lady II her newest crea-
ton are the most superb ever built by the
most famous OF PaT.sian mOdiStes The
publicity promotion section Of the theatri-
cal world is a world Of invariabIe, monot-
onous superlatives. The theatrical press
agent who has the courage to do a little
pioneering in the way Of restrained writ
ing viii make hit-probably the greatest
OF his career.
Miss Grace Criswold takes her clever
pen in hard to write from Richmond TO
The Herald her regret that the members
Of ''The Vanderbilt Cup" company. Of
which she is one. should have been sus-
pected OF "commerciallsn" merely be-
cause they made passing illusions TO GER
tain brands Of bottled goods in their per-
formances here week before last. Miss
CFiswold says this sort of aIlusion never
fails to bring a laugh from an audience,
hence its frequent occurrence. No doubt
II Is true that wicked men may be made
TO chortle by hearing their favOrite brand
OF red liquor receive kindly mention on
the stage But think how shocking IL all
must be 10 members Of the W. c. T. L.
and other good people who are enlisted
in the everlasting crusade against the
Demon Rum?
little garlic now and then is reIished
by the incest men. on their salad dressing
and spaghett-more especially If the men
happen TO be Italians. But none know oct
ter tian these same Italians when the chef
has dumped in too much garlic: and none
resent the Carelessness more quickly or
sharply. Gabrielle D'Annunzio, who's,
writings have always been favored vii
the garlic Of q bizarre immortality. seems
to have got in altogether too much Of IL
In his last play. with disastrous results.
The piece was hooted and Kissed bv the
rude and explosive neiglbors Of Vesglvius
on its first presentation at Naples last
week Not only was there too much
garlic N It, but 1t seems 70 have been
bad garlic. The incident throws a curl
Gus sidelight on Italian manners and
character d AnnunZiO is one Of the
great men OF Italy. with a fame that Is
worldwide. There Is no American
dramatist as pre-sminent with US as he
IS IN Italy. Yet the prestige OF his re-
noWned name can't overawe his explosive
tellow-couutTymen into accepting with
silent d'sapproval work Of his thar dis
pleases them. With democratic freedom.
they hoot out their disap9roval- rs an
experience that no American dramatist
IS liable to have. But American drama
lists haven't IS much ego in their chs
mos as Gabrielle. probably. Or If they
nave, they are wise enough to show Il
only to their most intimate friends.
MAURICE SPLAIN