davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
Rehinh he scrn..

tram Behind the SCENES by Charles Belmont
Davis. in the Outing Magazine
The Indifference of the actor. of almost
every grade, to the play and his fellow
players is 10 the outsider one Of the MANY
ununderstandable things about this little
known profession. There is an authentic
case OF an actor who gained sufficient
favor and fortune in "a certain play to-
appear in il continuously for four sea-
sons. Although BE naturally played the
principal part he did not appeal until
the second acJ and il is a well-known fact
that during these four years he never
saw the nrsi act played, OF any part of
IT, In speaking of this present article. a
Wei known leading man said TO me,
There is no life behind the scenes. be-
cause actors and actresses who amount
10 anything so AT once TO their dressing
rooms Immediately their scenes on the
stage are finished The moral which
arises from this lack of interest seems
only too evident in the case of many
Young actors To require much discussion.
1 recall another instance Of a young wo-
man whose dancing was "a genuine sensa-
Jlon on Broadway for several wears. She
was very young. and very pretty. and
her engagement did much TO establish
the success of the theater al which she
appeared. II must have been quite two
years after she achieved her success
when the star, who was also the manager
and owner Of the theater. casually re-
marked one night in his dressing room.
Let go down on the stage ard look at
Miss -- dance. / haven't ever seen her,
but they tell me she is very good"
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
Lonn nf - -

There appears TO be regular Joan of
Arc craze just now. Mr. Charles Froh-
man. It is reported, is contemplating q
production Of some sort in which the
Maid is to be the central figure. But his
aim seems to be rather spectacular than
dramatic, and 20 involve something differ
ent In the way of electric lighting and
klnematographic effects from anything
that has Vet been seen in the theater In
recent interview he said thar he hoped
MS proposed entertainment would give an
that was essential TO the story of Joan of
are IN hat an hour or forty minutes
This would include battle scene of ten
or twelve minutes in duration. of which
only the reflection would be seen upon
the stage, although the illusion Of solid
reality would be perfect The matter is
uncertain, however, being still the subieet
OF experiment. Apparently he is WORKING
upon some new adaptation of the old prfn-
eiple OF the Peppers ghost illusion. which
so mystiled everybody thirty or forty
years ago.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
BeerhnI,n, - criiicieed-

German criticisms OF Mr.. Beerbohm
Trees performances in Berlin are begin
ming 10 arrive They could not have af-
forded much satisfaction to the subject
of them. and certainly viii not be read
with unaIloyed delight in Great Britain
Most of them are c8uched IN courteous
language. but intimate very plainly that
Alr. Tree is much greater manager and
producer thsn he is an actor. and that
he has nothing in the way Of acting TO
show German actors that they cannot 40
as well or better themselves. They make
fun Of his gesture and of his eIoeution,
but praise his v.rtuosity-his familiarity
that is with the tricks OF his trade His
comedy was preferred TO his tragedy. but
he was told that his Malvolio was incom-
parable with the best German interpreta-
tiou. The beauty of his scenery and the
effectiveness of his tabieaux were cor
daily admitted. but doubts were express
ed whether these eXcellenees, when re-
vealed compensated the spectators for
the tedium of long waiting The critics
expected TO see great acting and did not
take much pains 90 conceal their disap-
pointment at being put of with q moder-
ate performance ia splendid setting OF
course very many complimentary things
were said and written of Mr. Tree, and
he had a most hearty and hospitable re-
cepton, but his excursion can scarcely.
be described as a triumph. The prob
ability is tha, even Mr. Tree himself will
eXperienca some doubt as to whether It
was worth his while 10 take so much
trouble to engineer an expensive trip Of
this kind for the satisfaction Of being
told that they do these things better in
Germany as. in many instances, they un-
dnnhtedlN do
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
"The Liz of Frnnne.

Very fun details are given in the Lon
don papers of The Lily of France. Louis
y. Parkcr's Joan OF Arc drama. which
is TO be presented by and by at His Mai
esty's Theater In London by BIr Tree.
In the order of its Incidents it seems to
bear rather strong resemblance 10 Mr..
Mackayes play on the same subject bur
il is chiefly in prose, and insistence is
laid upon the fact that it was written
two years ago. Mr.. Parker is credited
with the most scruBulous attention to the
facts of history wherever possible. A
theatrical writer in "a London journal
says that he has based his work upon
Quicherat's edition Of the almost YER
batim Latin reports of Joan Of Arcs
trials and the subsequent Trial for Re
habilitation, which was held twenty
years after her martyrdom. At this last.
all the surviving members Of her family
her mother, her brothers. her playmates.
MenSette and H3uvette, her comrades,
Louis de Contes. and others. all who
knew her her godmothers, her parish
priest ana many besides gave evidence
relating to the period of her youth. and.
more especially, 10 her life during the
two evcntful and miraculous years of ser
military career, her trial and death.
Practically every word Joan utters i'm Mr..
Parker's play was uttered by the real
JOAN practically she says nothing in
that play which she did not say in actual
life"
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
"CoIoniaI ReIIes.o

"The Colonial Bellies viii be the at
traction at the New Lyceum Theater this
week At the head OF The companv is
Charles Robinson, who first appears in
musical farce entitled THE Baby
Farm. This offers opportunities for pref
~ scenic and electrical effects and musi-
cal numbers. In the vaudeville olio.
Charles Robinson offers his tramp spe-
cialN, commenting on topical events and
singing original parodies: Charles Fake
viii illustrate the latest songs; Law
renee, Edwards & Richmond viii present
an original travesty; Cook and Phillips
Viii exchange Fleasantries on the topics
Of the day, ana Rose Carlia viii afer
some new songs For a finale the en.ire
company wil present burlesque en-
titled Cohen the Count"
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
New National-"Rip Van WinI,I,." by
SIR. Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas jefferson. ia Rip Van Wiuckie." "
begins a week s. engagement al the New
National Theater tomorrow night MIR.
Jefferson has not been seen in Washing
ton since last season. when he appeared
at the same tBeater the week prior to
Christmas. The old Washington Irving
classic appears never 20 grow CID Rip.
with his go7d-natured yaglries has fur
nished food Gor laughter 60 several gen
erations of pl8ygoers Now. as ever. a
new generation appears as eager t. see
The play and enjoy that lazy. laugh-rro-
voking hero of The legend of the Hudson.
whose shrewish wife's patience. tried be-
yond endurance, gives way az hast and
whose righteous anger forces him 90 seek
peace and quietude m the mountain
passes of the Catskils New National
Theater audiences VIII witness an this
and more; viii see Rip after his depart
ure from home, and the village 3f Failing
Water encounter the spo0k of HendricE
Hudson, and later those OF his pirate
crew. playing at ninepins ia tie noun
tains, Where, paruhng Of their msid-
i3us draft De- fails into his long sleep !
Rip Van Winkle' is one of the few
chldren, and ,hey, as well as their elders
Viii doubtless crowd the New National at
every performance this week For tn
benefit Of the school children OF Washins-
ton, Mr.. Jefferson has kindly consented %
play before them at a special midweek
matinee Wednesday, when an the little
ones VIII be admitted free OF charge
rms matinee, In order not 10 interrupt
the Sc lcoi studies viii not commence
until - clock. The fact that the capacity
OF the NeW National Is limited l. seme
1890 seats, makes Il absolutely impossi-
ble 10 entertain an the children anxious
10 attend the performance To this end
Manager Rapley has announced special
reduced prices Tor the Saturday matinee.
The regular s-die at this theater ranges
from 70 cents 10 81 for any and an al
fractions, but at this particular SATURDAY
afternoon performance the best seats viii
be placed oH sale FOR . and 50 cents.
This viii afford ample opportunity 10 see
lhe play at prices never before offered at
thls tneater. The distribution of tickets
for the midWcck matinee has been ar
ranged with the school board. over l.Sy
tickets having been sent To the nine
supervising principals of the eighth.
seventh, and sixth grades This Will
enable all children to receive tickets in
advance, thus avoiding a crush at the
doors Wednesday afternoon. This win be
the ffst time IN the history OF Washing
ton piayhouscs that children have been
entertained free to witness a dramatic
performance of the magnitude of Rim
van NinKle. The interest aroused among /
the school children assures a packed F.
mouse not only for this performance. but /
Tor tldt OF Saturday at reduced prices {
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
High-priced Attractions.

Henry w. Savage this season has
knocked to smithereens the favorite fal-
lacy of some theatrical managers who ar
sue that there is no profit in plaving
high-prieed attractions. and that one
show Ike Madam Butterfly" at s3 a
seat, kills the business Of the regular
priced attractions that may be booked
to play the same city during the same
week Whenever possible Mr.. Savage al
ways follows his uniformly successful
English grand opera company with one
or more of his less famous companies
During the past month 1.-THE Prince of
Ptlsen. now in its fifth year. has PLAYED
every Madam Butterfly town either
prior to or Immediately following the Pue-
chi opera While Madam Butterfly"
was breaking theatrical records at 50 a
seat The Prince showed no falling off
in its business from the high average it
has maintained consistently since f1e fr.t
year of its success
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

lucky; Moses Reis and COnoveT English,
Of New Jersey, the latter being the New
Jersey director. the laws OF that State
requiring "a resident director.
It Is evident that the main result of
this merger is TO throw the theatrical
syndicate and the Shuberts into the
vaudeville business, the reason given by
kiaw & ErlaHger being that they are
tired Of going after the money contrib
uted by patrons to the high-class shows
They realize that there is more 10 be
gained by catering to the vaudeville and
the popular price" attractions. one
most obvious result Of the merger is to
give the United States Amusement Com
pany theaters an over the country, thus
greatly strengthening the already strong
chain of Klaw q Erlanger. It VIII prob
ably mean-if the chain can be made
strong enough-an advance of prices
in vaudeville, and It may mean, if the
actors are lucky. an advance in salary
However, the men at the head Of this
new theatrical merger have not the rep
utation Of paving more for. things than
they absolutely have TO. and the ultf-
mate benefits of the whole scheme are
likely TO md their way into the pockets
of the promoters.
One Of the most interesting phases of
the thcatcr in America is the -Childrens
Theater." started in New York on the
East Side among the poorer people by the
Educational Alliance. Young men and
women of the neighborhood form the
company which plays at this theater
and they become amateur actors for DO
salary whatever, being taught and right
ly, that they receive compensation
enough in the acquisition of mental and
physical graces through their work The
theater is not well known u New York
the9tcr-g -goers Little has been written
about it, even in journals devoted to
but that it is a great
enterprise there can De no
doubt The admission fee is 10 cents
all over the house, though il used 10 be
s. and 1t never plays except To stand
ing room only Each play is put on
with several casts SO thar numbers of
the young people may have the adyan-
tages of skilled training. and response
hiiities OF frequent performance do not
weigh unduly on any one. The training
Of these Young amateur actors is carried
over some months and it means much for
them. for through it they learn English
speech and physical control; learn how 10
carry themselves, and are transformed
from awkwarduess 90 grace.
This is one phase Of the work done by
the thcater that those who deny any
benign influence TO the stage would do
Wei TO study Here one can see that
even IN this priE tive way the theater
may become q great moral force and
factor
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
Tom La.rson,s nrn mn

David Beiasco has secured the rights
to dramatize Thomas W Lawsons nov
81. Friday the 18th. and win produce
the play next season in New York. The
dramatiZation VIII be done under Mr.
Belasco's direction. Mrs. II. c. De Mile
obtained the dramatization rights from
Mr.. lawson two weeks ago and sold them
to Mr. Belasco. Mir. Belasco was the
man Mr. Lawson wanted 10 undertake
the work. The dnancier and author made
but one conditiog-the lesson Of the reve-
lation Of the system" for the protection
Of the people contained in the book must
be kept intact in the play.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
The Belasco-Thomas W. Ross in
"The other Girl"


Thomas W. Ross. creator of the role of
Checkers" begins the final week of the
regular season az the Delasco Tomorrow
evening. Mr. Ross is to be seen in Angus
tus Thomas delightful character comedy
The Other Girl" The piece. which en-
loyed q run Of over 200 nights at the En-
pir Fheater, New York. is said to contain
a good story well told. abundant action
and original and laughable situations
but its success lies chiefly in its truthful
character p0rtra yals. It's fidelity To- phases
of New York life of the day. and the
slang pscd by its best character Kid
GarVey' alias Mr. Sheldon. pugilist
ana professor of physical culture. The
three scenes are laid in the dining-ro1rn
extension and library. and the breakfast
room of q New York house near Madison
Square, and the action takes place be-
tween p. n. and S a. m. on a June
night. Iat0 this limited locale ana space
OF time the author has crowded IA most
amusing series Of incidents, 80 inter-
woven as 90 make up continuously
entertaining story. The character ,rpas-
tft pugilist in disguise the worthy ath-
istic clergyman, the Imaginative. dirI1tv
and pretty young girl from Philadelphia
her pompou5 father; the good-natured
sensible New York stock broker. his
strong tempered lively wife: the vouur
swell engaged TO the Philadelphia maid
en-, tire fine natured older feminine ward
and the companion of the maiden. the
reporter ana the servants of q wealth.,
household-the audience will know ana
VIII recognize each and every one. Mr.
Ross support includes such important
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
Miss ImoEen TayIor's Success on she
SfnEe

Miss Imogen Taylor Washington's tall
ented actress. and daughter of Mr.. L. S.
TAYLOR. manager of the Belasco Theate~.
is going 70 DE very busy this week. Miss
TAYLOR has been engaged to appear with
Mr Thomas Jefferson in Rip Van Win
kle' at the National TheateT. during the
present week. and on Friday and Satur-
day Miss Taylor and Miss Mildred De
Hart VIII present their delightful sketch.
entitled "Supposing, at the lawn fete al
Friendship
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
symoBds' Concert at BeIasco The
ater tU-night.

The programme arranged for the sy-
monds concert al the Belasco Theater to-
night promises 20 be unusually attractive
and enjoyable. Only features of merit
have been engaged. which include Prltz-
kow d Mitchell who are headliners on the
professional stage, noted for their unique
singing and dancing specially. The popu-
lar singer, Mr.. Chick. has been re-engaged
to render the latest Illustrated songs. and
the popular motion pictures viii exhibit
European views which nave just been i'm
ported
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
Majestic Tonight.

Tonight. at the Majestic W. D. Fitz-
gerald VIII offer the sixth of his big
vaudeville concerts. As usual. only profes-
sional acts VIII appear and the pro
gramme includes several acts that will
more than please the patrons of these
concerts The line of life motion pictures
will be entirely new, embracing the latest
foreign and domestic subjects
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
'eIorgIe 1lnieroni Coming.

Ernest shipman is considering an offer
from James c. Williamson. Of Australia
for the services of Giorgio Majeroni. late
leading support TO Bertha kalich Mr.
MajeT7ni has appeared In numerous stei-
lar roles in that country. and it is Mr.
y Williamscn's desire TO tour him in the
same capacity for the season of I90I-oS
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
The Majestic-..The Two Orphans"

Manager W ID. Fitzgerald has been
successful in procuring the rights for the
production this week AT the Majestic Of
Kate ClaNton's play, The Two Orphans.
kathryn PurneH, who has won the hearts
Of her audiences during the past four
weeks. Will assume the characterization
Of one Of the Two sisters. about whom
the action of this drama is centered
Owing TO the size of the cast it has de-
Tolred upon the management 10 engage
a number of new PLAYERS who Will be
seen in the cast in addition 10 The sup
porting company whose faces are now
familiar 20 local theater- -goers. Manager
Fitzgerald promises rendition OF the
original version IF The Two Orphans.
as priest nted by Miss Claxton The beau
ufui story is carried through seven acts
ana as many scenes. requiring an im-
mensc amount of special scenery and
mechanical effects. which artists and
others have completed after days of labor.
Among the more attractive and semi
spectacular scenes Ia tire play Is a real
lstic suowstorm. Great care has been
exercised IN the rthearsals for this pro-
duetion. md according 10 the manage
ment. nothlng has been overlooked which
Is necessary % q perfect presentation OF
"a dramatically humau-interest story.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

comedy entertainers as Russ Whytai,
Martin G. Brown. Frank Roberts. VII
liam Redmond, William H. Tooker, Frank
Mills, n j. G. Briggs. Ivy Troutman.
Dallas Tyler Ethek Brandon, Laura Pier
pont Ida Lewis, Edna Irvine. and others.
ChRse's-EiEht Good Acts Of Petite
Vaudeville.
Chase's viii this week submit to the
patrons of polite vaudeville q programme
OF eight Of the mos, widely known novel;
ties la the field of light amuseinents, the
list comprising Gus Edwards Comic
Operetta Company. Miss Norton and Paul
Nicholson. Jack Wilson and company.
George II. Diamond and VIII C. smith,
Rice and Elmer Hennings, Lewis a
hennings, Frosini. and Trial Marriages.
the funniest Of the motion picture sub
jects- Primary S Is the name OF tbe
musical envelope of the pretty girls and
clever comedians making up the Ed
wards company one of the largest and
costiiest assembled In vaudeville 20 en-
ilven a musical production. II alternates
in rapid succession songs. dances, and
humorous situations and the thirty min
utes u occupies the stage are said to pass
in whirl Of music and merriment Mr..
Edwards Is one of the best-kn0Wn com
posers Of popular songs, and he is said
10 have brought forth several that have
never been sung here Miss Norton and
Mr. Nicholson are proving more amusing
than ever. il is said. I'm their new sketch
by Miss Norton, called ELIAS Ali Right"
That this may he credited as a fact can
easily De understood when it is known
that the clever c0medienne and author
has chosen for her theme the mlshaps
OF newly welded pair who are em-
pioyed la different department stores and
do very light housekeeping when they are
at home. Jack Wilson and company will
brighten up the atmosphere, 1t IS prom
ised, with An Dpheavai ia DagktoWn"
The Messrs. Diamond and Smith viii offer
hne innovation; and Rice and Elmer
are booked for one OF those uproariOusly
comic acrobatic mix-ups Heuning, Lew
Is HeHnings viii introduce con-
dcnsed musical comedy and Frosini will
exhibit his skill on the accordion
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

The cordial reception accorded sothern
and Marlowe and Mrs. Wiggs of the Cah-
bage Patch in London has encouraged
others TO prepare TO visit the British cap
ital The Roed to Yesterday" which is
still at the Lyric here. will be the next to
go over. following Sothern and Marlowc
at the Waldorf, and William A. Brady an
nounces that he viii send Grace George
over in Diplomacy and possibly also
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

There seems to be no doubt now of the
general fact-some Of the details are yet
20 be verified, perhaps-of the merger Of
interest between KIaw * Erlanger of
the theatrical syndicate and the shu-
berts, the leaders of the Independents.
The main evidence of the merger lies in
the Incorporation in New Jersey of the
United States Amusement Company, Of
which A. J.. Erlanger is president: Lee
Shubert, vice president; Mare Klaw. treas
ureri James p. McGoyern. secretary;
Levy Mayer, OF Chicago. general counsel
William Klein. OF New York. attorney;
Attorney General Robert H. Carter. of
New Jersey the New Jersey attorney.
The executive committee elected consists
Of A, /. Erlan6er, Lee Shubert. ana Marc
kiaw The board OF directors is com
posed Of A. J. ErIanger. Mare Klaw.
Al Hayman, Lee Shubert, Jacob !
shubert. George B. Cox. Of Cincinnati:
Congressman Joseph L. Rhlnoek, Of Ken
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

Fascinating Flora" is the name select
ed fer the summer musical comedy at
the New York Casino. This piece viii be
seen for the first time at the Hyperion
Theater. New Haven. on May Is. and will
so to New York afterward. The book ana
lyrics are by Joseph Herbert. and the
music by Gustav Kerker. The piece will
be staged by r. II. Burnside. It is in
two acts, laid respectively in Paris and
New York Adele Ritchie win have the
title role, and among the other players
VIII be Louis Harrison, James E. sulii-
van, Frederick Bond, Ada Lewis. and Ell
Ia snyder.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

The Ben Greet Players have been en-
gagged 10 give open air performances of
a Midsummer Nights Dream" as You
Like II, and "Eyeryman" at the Lud-
ington. Mich. EpwOrth League Assembly
on July p and %. The Epworth League
is Methodist Episcopal organization and
has religious basis. II will be the first
time on record that theatrical Perform
ances have been given at Methodist as
sembly.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

In his adaptation Of Henri Lavedan's S
lie DUEL for the London Garrick Thea
ter, Mr. Arthur Bourchier has transport
ed the whole action to England. and
transformed all the French into British
persoHages. Thus the abbe becomes an
eN-guardsman. and the duchess the wife
of a Roman Catholic duke The play be-
ing a short one, Mr.. Bourchier has re-
vived Leo Trevors "Dr Johnson" as an
introduction 10 it, resuming his popular
impersonation of the photographer.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

Harry f. Kicker manager Of the Met
ropolitan Opera House. st. Paul. Mimi.
was attacked by robber on April q
just after he had finished counting up the
receipts of the afternoon and evening per
formauces of John Drew in His House
IN Order Mr.. Kicker was alone at the
time and was unable TO prevent the thief
getting away with the entire receipts.
about s2,S50
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

Shakespeare's birthday was celebrated
az the Edwin Forrest Home, In Philadel-
phia with an entertainment. and the in
mates enjoyed the work of some of the
professional players who were in Phia-
delphia az the time.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

Ethel Brandon. Of "The Other Grl1
company. is said TO be the only Ameri-
can actress ever accorded a private audi
eRee with Pope Leo XIII. Miss Brandon
Journeyed all the way from san Fran
cisco TO the city Of Rome TO see his holi-
ness.
The Washington herald., 1907-05-05

Langdon Mitchell. author Of 'The New
York Idea and Becky Sharp" has be-
gun work on a new play which Harrison
Trey Fiske Will produce next season. Il
sill not be what is called star" play.
)ut viii have "a quartet Of characters OF
nearly equal Importance