The Washington herald., 1907-05-12

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%HE regular theatrical season may
be said TO have closed finally last
night and now ensues a season
Of summer stock, two dramatic
companies and one musical comedy stock,
that viii run well into the summer. The
endurance Of this season of stock depends
very largely. Of course. on the amount of
patronage, but the theatrical managers
are hoping much from the proximity Of
the jamestown Exposition to bring into
Washington an unusual influx of visitors
who will be glad TO find the theaters
open.
It is doubtful whether any city IN the
country. in spite of the fact that the sum-
mer stock season idea has grown so in
recent years that nearly all cities have
them. has stock companies containing bet
ter known or abler players than those
who viii be in Washington most OF this
summer. It is certain, too. that the plays
10 be produced will be of high order of
merit Some of the best Of the old
dramas viii be revived. and # IS probable
that some new plays will be tried out in
the hope that they will Justify produc-
tion for the road,
It cannot justly be said that the local
season ended in a blaze of glory. The last
week of the regular attractions offered
nothing extraordinary in the way of en-
tertalnment At the New National
Thomas Jefferson. following in the foot
steps of his father. presented the old
play rip Van Wrinkle" which made a
fortune for the elder jefferson. There are
many who. knowing how the elder Jeffer-
sen was fond of expressing, theoretically,
his high ideals for American dramatic
art. wondered that having made so large
q fortune from his chosen professions did
so little for it in return. Through a, long
career. after he once secured Rip Van
Wrinkle" he was content to go on play
ing this old-nonroyalty play year after
year, with an occasional lapse into The
Rivals" or Lend Me Five ShilIings. "
He used none OF the money, contributed
so literally. to his support by the Amer
lean theatergoing public, for the purpose
of aiding the American stage. He neither
invited young authors TO submit ideas 10
him. nor ever let it be known that he
was in the market for a new play. There
was a certain tradition about the elder
Jehe- son which made the recurrent RIP
Van Ninkle" not only a possibility, but
a welcome annual visitor 10 the principal
cities of the country
fD all fBaea wars FRa America a
public have had about enough of it, and
it is rather a shame that Mr.. Thomas
Jefferson does not at least look for a new
idea. His support at the New National
Theater during the week was meageT
and should do something toward convinc-
ing HMM spite of the free matinees 10
the children in an apparent effort TO
educate the rising generation up TO the
old play-that the old rip Van Wrinkle"
myth has exploded.
The last offering of tine regular season
at the Belasc0 was Thomas ". Ross, IN
The Other Girl probably the best
comedy thatAugustus Thomas ever wrote.
Mr.. Ross is a conscientious and pleasing
young actor, who made his first hit in
Henry Blossoms Checkers" play
which Willie Collier turned down. %
much to his sorrow. Since Checkers, "
Air. Ross has looked in vain for a play
suited to his personality. and it was only
at the urgent solicitation Of Mr.. Augustus
Thomas that he was induced TO follow
Mr. Lionel Barrymore in the excellent
part of the prize-hghter. Kid Garvey.
II must be said that although Mr. Ross
Interpretation OF the part differs ma
terially from that Of his predecessor, it is
"a good, intelligent and forceful perform
ance. II il can be criticised at all Il is on
the grounds that Mr.. Ross rather over
plays the part, and does not leave as Mr..
Barrymore did, so much 10 the imagination
of the audience. The whole comedy. in
fact. is played now In a much broader way
than it was originally. Whether this is
for the better or not it would be hard u
say; at least the new way of playing il
gets more laughs and seems 10 please the
audience. II is said that Mr. Augustus
Thomas is so Well pleased with Mr Ross
playing of the part that he is at work
on new comedy designed especially TO
fiji Mr.. Ross peculiar individuality.
The season. on the whole has been a
markedly successful one and all of the
A'Nti+ tAletttei -lo cA wen i4edStl. III Sgllt
ways Washington is a much favored town
in the matter of theatricals; many first
productions are made here and the act
ors and managers thinking about first
nights in Washington call il trying il on
the dog The result OF it is however.
that local theater-goers very often get a
chance TO see the hest plays before they
are produced in New York or elsewhere
On the other hand, some Of the good
plays which have their birth OUT West
10 not get into Washington until the
bloom is rubbed entirely of them anu
the cast is markedly inferior Such is the
csse with many OF the musical comedies.
The advance reports from the New
York managers would seem TO indicate
that next season is to be a very busy
one. with many new and elaborate pro
ductions. just what effect the new COM
bina tion in vaudeville will have on the
regular drama by absorbing well known
and seasoned players, it is too early yet
to figure. But eat il viii have some
effect is undOubted, and il is not at all
improbable that next season will witness
the creation Of Il host Of new and younger
stars.
WiIstaeb's Wit.
ring on the hand is worth two on fhe