Evening star., 1908-01-19
TASHINGTON is when 1t
chooses to be one Of the most
NNI generous towns on the map
toward player folk. And tnen

proverhiaI clam Nothing could De more
genial than a Washington welcome tai-
though we do manage to avoid hysterical
demonstration and nothing could De
chillier than a Washington frost. 1t all
depends on the kind of a show that Is
being offered
Last week was one of the rushing KIND
The glad hand was stretched through the
box office SO constantly that the treas
urers got tired of taking the money. Three
of the seasons greatest attractions were
offered at the same time. Everybody had
heard of THE Red Mill and wanted to
see it. Everybody had heard OF the
Chorus Lady" and wanted to see that, too.
Grand opera is offered so seldom that
attendance becomes almost duty as well
as a pleasure. Yet Washington met the
ordeal with appreciative composure and
went to see them all.
Sad 1t is that the patronage extended
to the opera company. although it in
cluded several evenings of overflow at
tendance. was less that extended to The
Red Mill" 1t is the frequent condition
which tempts the pessimist to arise in
petulant query: What is the use of
being a Verdi or Gounod when posterity
is going to develop Victor Herbert with
system so surcharged with tunes that he
can produce melodies faster than the pub
lie can learn to whistle them? And what
n the use of being a Nordica when two
young men with little to distinguish them
beyond a pronounced sense of rhythm and
a set of phenomenally flexible feet can
SO get the start of the theater world?
Why educate the voice when it is so
much easier to cultivate the ankles?'
Montgomery and Stone are dancers and
TO some. extent pantomimists, but hardly
mature enough in dramatic art to warrant
them in coming out before folks with
faces devoid of makeup. like regular
actors. Thanks to the clever talk and
situations provided by Mr.. Blossoms
book to the captivating music of Mr..
Herbert and to some of the prettiest
stage pictures that the footlights have
revealed in many day, THE Red Mills"
many merits more than counterbalanced
the crudity of its two stars-or rather to
speak with regard to their still unde-
.veloped state. nebulae. THE Red Mill''
gave the New National Theater record
breaking week
The mathematician who is always
abroad in the rand has found satisfaction
In making a rough estimate of the money
paid for amusement by this city in sin
gle week. The figures are necessarily
vague. but close enough to make il clear
that the Capital city, if 1t likes the play
ers, gives them welcome handsomely Civ
ing THE Red Mill a week of $4,000
Rose Stahl in THE Chorus Lady" s1O,-
: 900; the grand opera. SO OO. and the
rnelodrama. vaudeville and burlesaue en-
tertainments, $1,000. the total reaches the
rather surprising sum Of $4,000. These
estimates are conservative. and they ex-
clude the numerous incidental entertain
ments which lay considerable claim to
the attention of amusement seekers. In
proportion to its population this city ex-
tends wonderfully liberal though dis
criminating patronage to the theater.
When Rose Stahl ties the ribbon around
her forehead. places one finger to her
cheekbone. gaZes out into space and
calls attention to the resemblance to
Ellen Terry, 1t becomes time to inquire
what is going on in the mind of this
sprightly comedienne. OF course she has
been told that she resembles Bernhardt,
facially as well as figuratively. With
Dave Warfield. the ex-character actor.
playing roles that are positively lachry-
nose in their intensity. with Louis Mann
vowing that he will yet play "Shylock,"
and Eddie Foy frankly keeping his eye
on "Hamlet"-well, why not? When Miss
Stahl gets speech OF emotional intensity.
at the close of an act Ia speech which, by
the way. is reminiscent of one of the
standard problem plays), she proceeds to
the woman always pays. and pays, and
pays" she abandons herself to the scene
with the completeness of an old-time emo
tional actress who advertised real tears
at every performance. And the applause
from the aud torium affords her frank am
bition ample justification.
1t is announced that Charles Frohman
intends to organize three or four COM
panies to play Miss Hook of Holland"
This ought to linsure his getting a good
one somewhere In the list 1t is also
stated that Mr.. Frohman has secured the
rights to other pieces by Mr.. Rubens AS
a good manager it is Mr.. Frohmans duty |
10 support Rubens' stock in every possi-
BILE way.
Blanche Bates says that she will not
play under Belasco's management. though
she does not know exactly what she will
do. The fortunes of Mrs. Carter and of
Miss Crosnan. after leaving Belasco.
would not seem calculated to encourage
detection from his interests. 1t seems
curious that players should be so willing
to abandon opportunities for which SO
many other players are positively clamor-
ing. PHlLANDER JOHNSON.
HENRY MILLER'S VARIED TASKS
Henry Miller is perhaps successful in
more ways than any other man in Ameri-
can theatricaIs. As actor. as manager.
achieved results of high degree. In each
OF these capacities he has won d place
that would have made him prominent
had he never striven in either Of the
others.
Mr. Miller's record as an actor. extend
Ing over more than twenty years as lead
ing man and star. is familiar. His por
trayals in Liberty Hail. Sowing the
WING" THE Masqueraders. Hearts
ease The Only Way. ID Arcy of the
Guards Joseph Entangled,' ''Freder-
lex I-emaitre." his Interpretation Of Ham
let and during the past two years his
Great Divide'-proved him an artist of
finish power, discretion, subtlety and
temperament.
The actor became known as dramatist
when he coiiaborated with Charles Klein
IN writing 'Heartsease." In this drama