The Washington herald., 1907-09-12
Coming to the Theaters.

OOHLug W l.
Amelia Bingham's new play. 'The Mod
ern Lady Godiva." viii be at the Colum-
bia Theater next Monday for an engage
ment Of one week. It is based upon the
story Of Coventry's eleventh-century
heroine. Lady Godiva, wife Of the cruel
Leofric. Earl of Chester. though 1t is not
in any sense a dramatization Of the IA
nous woman's adventures AS the title
indicates, the play is a drama Of con-
temporary interest. the scenes being laid
in London OF to-day and the characters
taken from English aristocratic society.
In producing ''The Modern Lady GOdiva"
Miss Bingham has adhered to this domi-
mating aim Of progress. as she considers
the play one of the strongest examples
Of dramatic writing ever developed by cur
fellow-countrynen. She believes that the
authors Frederick +. Schrader and LLOYD
II. Bingham. not only conceived an I'M
usual and powerful theme replete with
dramatic possibilities, but that they de-
velOped IL in a manner so simple, logical,
and convincing that the play seems like
an animated canvas cut from the heart
of the vital picture of life. Miss Bing-
hams many friends in this city viii find
that In the title role Of "The Modern
Lady Godiva" she has the strongest and
most fascinating character she ever por-
trayed. It is that Of woman, who, like
Coventry's Lady Godiva, makes heroic
sacrifice Of modesty and self IN order that
others may benefit. While the original
Lady GOdiva put self aside TO save her
city, her twentieth-century prototype
braved scorn and scandal for the sake OF
her husband. The role is one which calls
for the exercise Of ali Miss Bingham's
ability as an emotional actress. ''The
Modern Lady Godiva' requires a clever
company. Each role, unimportant as well
as principal, has been given TO a player
meeting its utmost requirements. Such
Well-knoWn names as John Z. Kellerd. ".
i. Abingdon, Frank Hollins. Hugh Cam
eron' J. Gordon Edwards, Oscar Gray
Bnggs, Percy Challenger, Joseph Mann.
Jane Gordon, Adelaide Wesley, Caroline
NeWcomb, and many others.
ing Offering at the New National for the
regular season Of 19O7-0s. Coming direct
from New York, where it ran all summer
at the Jardin de Paris, this attraction
should prove welcome here. The produc-
ton Is described as a musical revue" In
thirteen scenes, replete with original nov
elites and satirical wit, relative TO the
topics and people now in the public mind.
Some Of the scenes are the jamestown
Exposition grounds. the Broadway shop
ping district, Broadway and Forty-second
street a month after a snow storm, the
beach at Atlantic City, the Broadway
Theater stage door. and a scene at the
Metropolitan Grand Opera House. Dur
ing the time that the Metropolitan Grand
Opera House scene is before the audi
ence, an innovation in operate ballets is
shown, together with many other origi-
nal ideas. THE FOllies of 1907 will bring
to Washington one Of the most represen-
tative casts ever seen In this city, includ-
ing such well-known artists as Bickel
and Watson, who viii appear in their
comedy band speciality; Mile Dazie, bet
ter known as la Domino Rouge" when
she was the premier dansuese at the
Manhattan Grand Opera House: Nora
Bayes, ''The Bandb0x Girl" just return
ed from a three-year engagement in Lon
don and Paris. Others Of the company
include AnnabeIle Whitford, Lillian Lee,
Grace LsaRue Edna Buby, William Pow
ers. MNius Libby, Florence Tempest.
Frank Mayne, the Anna Held chorus and
the famous Gibson bathing girls. An in
novatiOn at the New National viii be a
pOpular-priced matinee Wednesday. This
will be in addition TO the regular Satur-
day matinee. The sale of seats for all
performances starts this morning at the
box Office
IN answer TO scores OF letters asking
that Dora Thorne" be included in the
list Of plays to be presented, Manager
W. D. Fitzgerald announces production
of this drama at the Majestic Theater
next week Miss Kathryn Purnell will be
seen in a part better suited to her than
any she has yet assumed during the pres
ent season. In a characterization Of
Dora Thorne." the title role, the young
star will have ample opportunity for dis
play OF her emotional talents. The play
next week IS one that appeals strongly
to women, and urgent letters from this
class of patrons have been received dur
ing the past two weeks asking that Miss
Purnen be presented in the play Dora
ThOrne" is well constructed, and should
prove q satisfying Offering to the most
exaCting patron of either sex. The cur
rent offering at the Majestic, "Tennes-
sees Pardner," continues TO attract large
audiences at both matinee and night per-
formances. "Purnellographs. the little
weekly publication from the press depart
ment OF Manager FitzgeraIds company
Is being distributed for the first time this
week, and nas ELECTED favorable COM
ments from all theatergoers who have
received a copy.
In Lillian Mortimer's comedy drama.
"Buneo in Arizona at she New Acad-
.emy, commencing next Monday night. the
popular authOr-actress has given the pub
lie some neat and clever episodes. In
dlans direct from their reservation, and
cowboys with their bronchos from the
ranch, with dramatic cast, hes ded by
Miss Lillian Mortimer, the authoress, as
Buneo, all go TO make the play a success.
An attractive and characteristic scene is
eN.N~~NJN~NNeS~~~
IRIS. MNSL0W'S 5