The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-09
People and Plays.

Belasco continues to furnish his
competitors with some of their most
realistic effects out of the abundant
supply of his artistic resources, al
though he is seldom given the credit
that is due him. The latest is a real
istic rainstorm in a recent comedy. 1t
will be remembered with what admir-
able effect it was introduced by MI.
Belasco in the last act of his Sweet
Kitty BeIlairs''; but long before this
Belasco introduced a real fall of wa
ter to resemble rain in the first per-
Torrance of Hearts of Oak" at the
Baldwin theater, San Francisco. That
was the origin of a realistic rain show
er as used in plays under modern
conditions. Storm effects have been
used from time immemorial; but it was
Belasco who invented the modern de-
vice as initiated in THE White Horse
Tavern" and other pieces and brought
to state of perfection by himself in
Sweet Kitty Bellairs.''
There is widespread speculation
about the subject of David Warfeld's
next play but Mr. Belasco is preserv-
ing his usual sphinx-like silence con-
corning the matter, and few on his ex-
ecutive staff even will know until it is
ready for rehearsal.
Camille D'Arville appeared at the
Lincoln Square theater in New York
in the STANCE and Edwards 1.-The Belle
of London Town.. on Monday
evening, January %. ''The Belle of
London Town" is based on Mr..
Strange's comedy, 1.-The School for
Husbands and is the twelfth music
play that Strange and Edwards have
written together.
On Monday evening of next week,
February H. will be Cornell night at
Herald Square theater, New York,
where THE Road to Yesterday is be-
ing presented. The entire house has
been taken by the board of governors
Of the university. COrnelPs famous
GIee club will be present,and will dis
course sweet music" between the acts
and the house will be profusely decor
ated with college colors. 1t is the GUS
tom of the university to provide an en-
tertainment of this kind each season,
and 1.-The Road to Yesterday was
chosen by the board as best suited for
the purpose.
Phonetic spelling does not appeal to
Wilton Lackaye, and therein lies a
story. When Mr.. leakage began the
preliminary road tour with 1.-The Law
and the Man." an enterprising bust
ness manager hit on the scheme of
using President Roosevelts ideas of
simplified spelling to catch the public
eye. Mr.. Lackaye knew nothing of
this and was startled about a week
later by seeing an immense poster an
nouncing wilton Lackaye in HIZ MI
PLA.' Going at once to the theater
the actors investigation developed the
culprit. THAT might do for a
play of some other character. but
but decidedly not Tor victor Hugo's
classic" he announced, and call
ing one of the theater attaches
he directed him to send a message to
the agent to stop using that means of
publicity. The messenger returned in
a few minutes, remarking, as he hand
ed the actor copy of the telegram he
had sent. 81 wasn't sure of that word
Mr.. Lackaye. Is this right" and Mr..
Lackaye read the following: "Cut
out that fanatic spelling. Lackaye"
yes, indeed. young man." he said
EXACTLY right. You builded better
than you knew.
Pauline Fredericks is to be starred
by James K. Hackett in 1.-THE Girl in
White" by Ramsay Morris. Rehear-
sails will begin at an early date.
A novel scheme of exterior decora-
ton was inaugurated last week at the
Herald Square theater. where 1.-THE
Road to Yesterday is being presented
The entrance to the theater has been
transformed by the use of box hedge
into a medieval bower, it being the
purpose to indicate the character of
the play being presented.
Blanche Bates. the star of David Be
lasco's THE Girl of the Golden West