The Washington times., 1907-02-10
THEATRICAL NEWS AND CHAT OF THE WEEK

drome was half filled with chorus girls
and their friends. vino were there 20
witness the race Of the amphibious beau
ties who disport themselves in the water
scene of 'Neptune's Daughter" The
race was the result of a challenge by
two Casino chorus girls, who thought
they knew bow to swim, but when they
saw the mermaids swimming like por-
poises in the tank. they became seasick
and concluded that IL would not be
worth while 10 compete. A substitute
race Of all Hippodrome mermaids was
thereupon arranged. and was won by
Miss Margaret Townsend, who has the
role Of queen Of the mermaids. The
prize was $50 in gold donated by Messrs.
Shubert d Anderson, managers Of the
Hippodrome.
There is trouble brewing in the camp
FOR the dramatized version OF Narah
Ellis Ryan's story. Told in the Hills"
under the name Of 'Genesee Of the
Hills" II was originally brought out
last season in Chicago and the Western
cities with Edwin Arden In the principal
male role. Now it is about to be given
it's premiere next Monday at the Astor,
with Robert Drouet in this part This
''NNA'AA - iA'N Nf4g RAfsAStAAb 70 MI. AT
den, he is threatening several legal
actions. He claims he is responsible
for the present shape of the drama,
which has been successful. and that he
is entitled To the role he originated. At
the same time ii is whispered that
Chrystal Hernc, who is the leading
feminine role in the cast and who is
grooming herself for the rank of star
has been objecting 70 Mr.. Arden be-
cause he has been looked upon as the
star of the play.
Early in the week the Shuberts an
nounced that they had arranged for the
appearance IN the United States of Com
meudatore Ermete Novel;, the most ia
nous of Italian actors. The contract
with Signor Novelli calls for thirty per-
formances ia their theaters. He viii
appear fer the first time at the Majes-
tic Theater, Boston, on March and
will play there for two weeks. Follow
ing that enga cement he will appear for
two weeks at the Lyric Theater. New
York. and then will play for one week
at the Lyric Theater. Philadelphia
This is Signor Novelli's fourth visit
10 America. but his first to the United
States For three seasons he has ap-
peared in the Argentine Republic and
in Brazil He is at present playing IN
the City of Mexico.
The first three plays in which Signor
Novell will appear i'm the United States
Will be Louis XII" by de Lavignc;
Papa L.ebonnard," by Aycard. and
1.-The Merchant of Venice" These
three plays will bring forth Signor No
velli as tragedian. comedian and ro-
mantle actor.
Frank Daniels, in Charles DilIing-
hams production of the new comic
opera. 1.-THE Tattooed Man" by Victor
Herbert, Harry b. Smith. and A. y. Q.
Fowler. will follow Lulu Chaser at the
Criterion Theater. commencing Monday
evening. February Is. In the new opera.
the comedian appears as a fake weather
prophet at a Persian court known as
Omar Khayam, ir.. OF The Tattooed
Man" In the company are May Nokes.
Sallie Fisher. Gertrude Carlisle, w. p.
Carleton. Harry Clarke. Mace Bonville.
George O'Donnell. Gilbert Clayton. and
Harold Russell.
Louis Mann is scheduled to replace
Paula Edwardes. at the Casino next
week His new play. THE Girl from
Vienna" has been tried on the Connect
cut canine at Hartford (where for some
uufathomable reason, 50 per cent of the
New York productions are tried OUT,
early in the week The Princess Beg
gar somehow fell just short Of making
hit though the critics liked it. and IL
was certainly personal triumph Tor
Miss Edwardes.
Eleanor Robson. in "salomy Jane"
4
the really important successes Of the
seascr. and it will be impossible, there
fore. that she make a change Of bill
even to carry out the expressed purpose
of the engagement which was to estab-
lish an extended repertoire for her fu-
ture Interpretation. The public is de-
handing tickets SO far in advance that
to bring the sale TO a close with a
limited duration would cause great in
convenience and disappointment.
Which is all very well. Of course;
and there's no denying the bit OF
"Salomy Jane" But-when Eleanor be
gan her season it was announced
positively that no matter how success
full any play was il would move off on
schedule time 10 make room for the
next, and all the plays announced would
certainly be played this season. As a
matter Of fact, "Salomy'' is the first
one that has made good-and "Salomy''
apparently stays until the public tires
Of her.
The Iieblers. by the way. announce
that they will send out a number two
company in the Bert Harte-P Paul Arm
strong play early next season.
Henry b. Harris has purchased
outright from Oscar Hammerstein the
Hackett Theater. in New York and
thereby closed one of the most import
ant theatrical real estate transactions
negotiated in New York in many sea-