Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26

fiercely at the Columbia. I'M
AAx restrained mirth disporting
" itself at the New National.
and amateurs trying their
prentice hands at pleasing the many
headed public in the Belasco. a varied
week was offered to Washington theater-
goers as virtually the last of the regular
season. During the last few days the
warm weather gave token that stock
company time was close at hand, but
otherwise everything went along much the
same ever. Tomorrow. however, the
first gun of the summer theatrical cam
paign will be fired with the opening of the
opera company. at the New National. to
be followed next week with the first per-
formances in the supplemental seasons of
the Columbia and Belasco. If signs are
read Alright an unusually excellent pro-
gram has been mapped out by all three
houses.
James ONeilIs presentation of Julius
Caesar was remarkably we'll done In ex-
planning how he happened to have so many
actors who could interpret Shakespeare
lines so that they were thoroughly intel
ligible. Mr.. O'Neill said that he had made
his choice from number of d-timers,"
trained in the days when the Shake
spearean plays were more of an actual
ity and less of a tradition. But l was
careful to avoid any of those who Chew
the scenery" Mr. O'Neill added land
there are plenty of them left. Some of
the old standards were far from true, for
remember a manager in Cincinnati
who. in answering question about some
mans ability. replied. Good actor? l
should say he was You can hear him
away out on the sidewalk
Atcertain pathos. however. attached to
Mr.. O'Neill's performance of Monte
Cristo' The present generation of play
goers seems to have grown away from
this staple of the stage. 1t is evident
also. both from chance remarks heard
at the play and from common knowledge
that younger readers are by no means
familiar with the story of Dumas. and
without knowledge of the romance itself.
thf drama must appear like a series of
imperfectly connected incidents. THE
Count of Monte Cristo" is an enormous
book. compared to the mere material bulk
of the modern best sellers How it
co1npares In other ways may be left for
9th ers to decide. Perhaps those who
fesst upon the hundred or two pages
with scant provision of incident, that
make up the so-called popular" novel,
lock upon the reading of The Count of
n hte Cristo'' as they would upon begin
nik Gibbon or ploughing through an en-
cyeiopedia. "Other times. other man.
ndkss"~If the prince Of romancers is ne
gIected it is no wonder that drama
from his most famous story fails to make
the appeal it once did. Mr.. O'Neill fights
molly. but he addresses himself now to
audiences whose tastes are far different
from the predictions of those who first
saw him in Monte Cristo." Wonders
have been multiplied; stupendously
Vitality men are no longer marvels, and
establishment is now difficult to arouse.
s -
In the case of '.Virginius," which Mr..
O:Neill has chosen to revive, the trouble
lies deeper. The play is wholly artificial
and belongs to school wherein only the
genius can survive. and where the writer
who hasl only talent is lost. OF passion
and other emotions there is enough and
to spare In the play. but of what we now
understand as humanity there is not a
whit 1t all seems unreal The contrast
Of "Virginius'' with Julius Caesar was
top strong. The great play, instinct with
humanity. overtopped the other. making
its lines seem fustian and its action in
consequent. But Mr.. ONeill made a re-
markably good Virginius.
Richard earle. confident in his own
achievements as actor, author. composer
and producer. brought "Mary's Lamb
tho
confidence has been justified by the event,
for he has what is undoubtedly paying
show and one that will entertain any
number of people. 1t has the merit of a
humorous plot This is borrowed from
the French. to be sure. but there are so
many dull plots thus annexed that con-
siderable credit is due to the man who
selects a good one for his prey. The
production is simply the modern 'show. -
but 1t differs from many others in that
class by the care shown in every detail
of acting. singing. dancing and costume
There Is a colored servant who is very
funny. looked at all by himself but who
would not last a minute in any household
not even in the remarkable one admin
1stered by the woman s-rights wife, who
makes her husbands life burden in the
all by themselves. Perhaps some day
they will all be put into separate play
and the play itself be put away.
MISS WALKERS GHOST-The idea of
Charlotte Walker becoming what the
Scotch call "fey'-a psychic condition
when one "sees things''-appears on the
face Of 1t to be utterly ridiculous yet
thrilling story to that effect has been sent
out by the busy little press agent, which
would indicate that Miss Walker pos
sesses prophetic soul. second sight the
power to tell the future by cards or tea
leaves. the secret of crystal gazing and.
possibly, the faculty Of tipping tables and
playing the banjo in dark room with a
phosphore scent hand.
The yarn runs thus: Charlotte Walker
recently sat for some photographs at
well known gallery. and was photograph
ed with a spirit face distinctly visible
over her right shoulder in the back
ground. The face is that of a handsome
man. and is distinctly outlined in sort
of cloud effect. The strange thing about
the picture is that Miss Walker met the
owner of the face a few days after she
received the proofs. He was a man she
had never seen before and who had not
been in New York for more than a year
Still more strange. the man called on her
har