The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-22
James O'Neill and David
KeSsler in Poor Plays.
Lulu Chaser PleaSeS.
BY A. H. BALLARD.
New York, Sept. 81

New York, Sept q.
IT. HREE brisk salles along the FIR
ing line this week-no heavy can
ncnading The theatrical cohorts
maintained a steady and un-
broken front. They continue on the Of
1ensive. and have made a slow advance
IN their position. This general on
slaught on the public pocketbook is fast
proving itself 20 be a memorable war.
small bunch Of theaters on. and
ringing. Broadway are 'sopping up
a million a week. and they'll bear
watching Lulu CHASER, James O'Neul,
and David Kessler shot their eyes. their
voices, and their gestures toward metro
politan audiences at three prominent
Iheaters this week. and these three
events constitute the most important
element OF theatrical news. All The
other big guns among the leading
houses are roaring 10 crowded audi
forums. The general prosperity is ex-
Temely catering.
The Tragic Side.
Last night as 1 rode home N thu
Subway after the theater. 1 noticed =
oeJected looking old-young man who
Sat with his head down, his hands
clasped. and his lips tightly held to
sether. A straw hat. stained from
weather AID burned by the sun. was on
ms head His shoes were not exactlv
Ftrim. There was sadness. mon unite
desperation, in his facial sxr- .ssion
itde was one OF the cast Of The Nov
iers' which Will be taken off from the
11ackett stage early next week Now.
mat man probably has people dependent
upon him. Undoubtedly he has waited
long for the chance that The Movers,
production gave n.rI. His costuming.
ms preparations. mis- weeks Of re-
thearsing AT no pay-there was much
necessary monetary outlay before he
tbegan 10 receive a salary. And the
splay was written by a successful dram
Rtist. staged by a master hand nro-
Suuced by one Of the most lstute of
managers Everything portenaed glory.
triumph. long run, a splendid season
of profitable work. Yet two weeks
salary arc all the company win get.
They are dispersed. The play is with
drawn. That Is one side 10 the theat-
lrical game. That is the tragic side. Sit
IN front and watch ihe players-watch
The successful play. and the glare. and
the footlight fascination. That Is the
attractive side that you and I see every
night We seek the successful plays.
But just as much care is taken In put
ting on the plays that fan. No one on
earth can tell what a play will do until
81 is actually tried out and put over"
the footlishts in the presence Of a living
collection OF people who have paid 10
enter the theater for that particular
performance.
Plays Failure Hurts Actor Most
A play that fails, It comes hardest
ON the actors who have waited months
for IN engagement. Mfercurlal as they
always are. interested in their parts.
they fully believe that this or that par
ticular play will have the greatest run
ever known. In a week. down, down
go their hopes TO the very pit They
must go out in the world of bluff and
1nake-believe and begin all over again
this time deeper in debt perhaps. than
ever before.
The case Of THE Movers" may be not
20 bad in the end. but Henry 3. Harris
says that he viii have tho play re
written. and he VOWS that he will save
II yet There are some lovely spots in
II. There is plenty OF material In It for
q good play. At any rate, Mr.. Harris
As determined man
Revamping Other Shows.
speaking Of revamping shows so as
10 make them draw better. the Frohman
exploiters have added some new musical
numbers 70 the Dairy Maids" the book
has been shortened, and other changes
are TO De made. AS 10 the book. the
only way to shorten IL effectively. and |
70 any good purpose. IS to eliminate II |
Ritogether' and substitute a new one.
While on the subject OF old plays |