The Washington times., 1907-02-24
Behind the FootlightS.

George Bernard Shaw says it's all
mistake; he is not writing a play about
George Washington. That seems rather
pity. So many would have watched
with unholy Joy to see what Shaw
would do to Washington. The an
Houncement that such a play was being
written was interesting, but when to
that was added a further announcement
that Arnold DAILY would play it. it really
seemed too good to be true. Could any
thing be more full of piquant posi-
bllity?
In making the original announcement
the Dramatic Mirror said: III Mr.. Daily
seriously expects seriously to imperson-
ate George Washington. it is evident
that there is nothing that would give
him histrionic pause.
There are physical difficulties which. |
Of course. may In a manner be over |
come.
George Washington was six feet two /
inches in altitude. and large and athletic !
in symmetry with his height Shoe i,
makers have a knack Of building up ,
as to mere height. and the cotton mar
ket no matter how IL may affect specu-
lators. never discourages proper padding. |
mental, psychologist, and other difficult
ties in the premises it would not now be
timely % discuss"
II he really Is not writing a George
Washington play for Arnold DAILY, will
G. b S. kindly consider the possibility
of writing a Dolly Madison play for
May Irwin? He might find the requisite
number of coon songs something Of a
stumbling block: but still,
Anyhow, no one has heard George
Conan deny that he's writing The
Young Napoleon" for his own use. So
there's something left to live for.
Which suggests the fact that George
Is now a grass widower. Ethel Levey
got her divorce last week, and, by the
way. about that rumOr that having Sc
cured 1t. She would marry Robert Ede-
son in the spring. The girls can cheer
up. Ethel herself is authority for the
statement that there's nothing in it.
She says: There are several reasons
why Mr.. Edeson and are not going 10
get married. One of them is Cand I ,
consider It important II not sufficiently /
he hasn't asked me"
A Shaw play-before getting too far !
rom G.. 3. Sis to have first place in
Ellen Terry's repertoire when she gets
lere late in March. She is playing
Captain Brass0ound's Conversion"
which was written for her something ,
ike ten years ago. Aside from that. l
The plays double bill. "The Good l
Hope" from the Dutch by Heyermans.
I
lone here before. F
De Wolf Hopper is developing into -
he star theater debut-r for The Shu- o
'erts. He is soon TO open two I'M =
'ortant theaters, in March. The first /
viii occur on March II. when he will y
e the premiere attraction Of the New Z.
)iXieland Theater at Jacksonville. Fla, q
nd on March 30 he will open the c
ew Mary Anderson Theater, Louisville, a
y.
Houdini was i'm Baltimore this week n
nd did more remarkable stunts than
yer before. He has never been
caught to date and is now escaping
rom more difficult propositions than IA
'ooden boxes. He comes to Chase's \
gain in the spring and probably Prof. n
oyce will have occasion TO remember "
a long time. L
During Robert MantelTs enga cement
the New National he will be the
uest of honor at several Of the leading
Dlleges Of the city, where ne viii give
Dme interesting talks on Shakespeare. |
Iarie Booth Russell Mrs Robert
IantelD will give a lecture on Shake
)eare's herOines before the students of
he National Park Seminary during her
Washington engagement.
The company now playing at the Ma a
onal Theater, Christiania. Norway in 81
uding Mime. Johanna Dybwad, prob 81
bly, the leading actress of Norway, will r.