The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Holiday Wares
At Local TheaterS

IT. HE holiday spirit mas taken
possession of the theaters.
During the week just past with
a not very strong list of attrac-
lions they have done a capacity business
with standing room at a premium. The
National has had better attractions mere
than Miss Mannering and her Glorious
Betsy" Vet none Of the others have
sold the house out for every perform
ance after Monday The Columbia
probably did not expect great things OF
THE Old Homestead. 1t is good
play. but il has been on the boards for
the better part OF TWO decades. NCt II
did big business. Il was the holiday
spirit in the air.
AMI from now on the theaters. like
the shops, are displaying holiday wares
Each OF the Three leading theaters has
announced especially strong attractions
for Christmas week The Prince OF In
dIa. which comes to the National, seems
particularly appropriate. II is the most
soHdly magnificent spectacle the Ameri-
can stage has ever produced, and that Is
saying "a good deal The Belasco is 10
have The stolen Story" sensational
newspaper play. that has attracted a
great deal OF attention and much favor
able comment. II is said TO be a genuine
thriller. almost melodramatic in spots,
but realistic enough 10 appeal 10 the
educated taste. And the educated taste
likes thrills quite as well as the Unedu-
Gated, 5uJ il does not yield TO them so
readily The Columbia is to be kyrle
Bellows headquarters for Christmas
wcek-and Eyrle Bellew is always well
come.
The week before Christmas is re-
a-arded as the worst week OF the theatri-
cal year Il is always a question with
managers whether il is worth while 10
keen omen or not. The BelascO last year
cot around the question neatly by not
booking any professional attraction, but
throwing the theaIer ON The market Tor
"a week of amateur benefit, and charity
performances. II is doing the same this
year. and two nights have already been
bespoIen.
The National and the Columbia. on
the contrary. have booked attractions
strong enough To overcome the hoodoo.
The Columbia is 60 have Nat Goodwin
in The Genius which broadway
hailed with delirh, as restoring 10 il
the old Nat Goodwin. whom it had loved
long since ana lost awhile.
The NIIluIal iS To nave -NilA44t nus
sen in Eer wonderful production of "A
Midsummer Night Dream, over
which the New York critics exhausted
their supply OF adjectives when il
opeued Wageuuals * Hemper's fine
new Astor Theater there this tall. Miss
Russell herself plays Puck, plays il IN
very abandon of eltin Glee- John
bunny plays the Bottom, and should
be the best Bottom iu years the rest
a. the company is more than adequate
and the production l., from all ac-
counts "a rarely beautiful one
The downtown th-ateTs offer attract
IONS Just as strong IN their respcctiv,
lines. The Majestic viii keep Miss
Kathryn Purucl, who as announced
elsewhere comes there for the week OF
December 10. through the following
week with a change of bin. Miss PurneH
is an old stock fayorite, but is in her first
season as star, and has more than
made good. For Christmas week IL Is
20 have The War Correspondent"
which has been kindly received wher-
ever IL plays The Academy brings back
two established favorites for the week
of the 18th. Young Buffalo. King of the
Wild West" For the week of the 24th,
No Mother 10 Guide Her" Chase S
has as vet made no announcement, but
special care is always given 10 the holl-
day attractions there. So IL looks as
though local theatergoers We're going u
be well taken care Of Ine thedIrlcdl
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of holiday wares Is the
most attractive Of several seasons.