Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-27

stage: too much engrossed with the hre-
side stocking 10 give even the hosiery
Of the burlesquette its wonted considera-
lion. And speaking OF hosiery brings TO
mind a question that Is assuming some
proportions namely: Are stockings es-
,cntiai To or detrimental to art?
The chief of police of Pittsburg rudeiy
Told Gertrude Hoffman TO go home ana
dress herself; but in this city the classic
dancers have been treated with the most
profound consideration. Questions OF
taste aud propriety are largely subjective
They have to do with the inner conscious
ness Whether the spectator secs In q
classic dancer a Rscchante who has
stepped Galatca-likc into being from Pom
pcijsn pottery or whether he beholds only
the ordinary physical equipment of hui
man kind praucing in scant habilimcnt
dcpeods on the experience and ina ginatVe
mower of the individ nal IT is for the
nature that ue.comcs the reduction OF
the ethereal to the tangible that the
classic dance has attractions. 1t IS by
plaCiDC before the eye something real
that the Ideal must sometimes be sug-
ccsted and for those whose sense OF
brauty can no satisfied by the classic
dance il Is doubtless an inspiring and
eicvating influence.
There was q touch OF the barefoot
spirit in the new play at the Beiasco
The heroine revealed in the closing tab
lcau as a woodland creature was quite
tXcuss1hle for disda'ning shoes and
hosiery; but there was the abrupt dis
illusion which seems inevitable when
something truly classic is attempted. The
Young man who looked as if he had just
stepped out of Broadway cafe wrought
discord In the scene, and the conversation
completed the havoc which his appear
ance began There are many weak places
in Yosemite" but the concluding scene
with its tumble from the psychic and
sublime to the utterly commonplace
would have ruined it had it been perfec-
ton in every other part
Whether Yosemite survives and tri-
umphs, as it should have a chance CT
doing with certain revisions. or whether
ii joins the melancholy procession that
journeys to storage in Hoboken, 1t VIII
rank as a remarkable production in the
minds of many people. The discovery OF
so charming an actress as Laurette Tay-
we'll worth the time and labor involved
in the production. even If it should bear
no other fruits. An actress who combines
such magnetism with technical finish not
only in the lighter. but in the more emo
tional moods IS not met with often in
season.
The black-face entertainment at the Co
lumba Theater proved a fascinating as
semblage of specially talent. 1t, was
original in some respects and merely &c
centric in others. But it had an array of
performers competent to guarantee an
evenings diversion, and the enterprise
found welcome which, considering the
season and the climate, was remarkable.
II would be difficult to think of a more
appropriate holiday attraction than The
Servant in the House." 1t is one of tine
few plays whose appeal is universal: and
il has satisfied a lurking desire that has
survived generations for visual reminder
from the stage of mankindS higher duty !;
some such reminder as our ancestors gath
cred from the mystery and morality plays.
IT seems in a sense the property of the
world; something which everybody should
have chance to see. Should some
philanthropist choose to endow COM
pany to place this performance before
the public. regardless of profit, he would
have cause to feel as confident of his re-
suits any builder OF libraries. But as
no philanthropist speaks up, those de-
sirous of being morally benefited by it
must go on interviewing the young man
who officiates as money changer at the
box office. PHILANDER JOHNSON.
AN EMINENT PLAY COLLECTOR
Every man, 1t is said, has a hobby. The
hobby of Charles Frohman, manager OF
Naude Adams, John Drew, Ethel Barry
more, Otis Skinner. Marie Doro, William
II. Crane. Billie Burke, Francis Wilson
and score of others on the American
stage. Is applied to plays altogether. Mr..
Frohnan now owns and has paid for over
200 manuscripts that have not been given
footlight Interpretation.
HE TRAVELLED, TOO.-It was election
day in Providence. and Mary Mannering
had opened her season in a new play the
night before at the Opera House. Wish
ing TO get some of the morning papers,
she called a warmly clad newsboy as he
was passing the Crown Hotel.
How many papers have you, boy?"
Both Of them" replied the urchin
Yes. know" added Miss Mannerins;
but l want ten of each.
The boy quickly counted out the re-
quired number and received 30 cents with
permission to keep the change. Looking
brightly at the lady. he said:
Thank you. lady. What does ye want
so many papers for?"
The actress, who. by the by is always
interested In children. told him that the
newspapers talked about her and that
She wanted to read about herself.
What do they talk about you for? You
amt done nOthin, mas ye?'
Miss Mannering la ughed.
NO. 1 haven't done very much. but
travel from town to town, and the news
papers always have something 10 say
about me-
The boy looked puzzled: then added:
My father travels from town to town,
and the papers don't say nothin about
him"
no, And what is your father" tn
quired the actress.
My father is a voter" replied the boy.
And he ran off. shouting 'Yextra,'
STAGING THE DE.SERT-Only in the
last generation. since stage management
las become "A fine art. has anything SO
impressive and so yague as the desert
been reproduced on the stage. 1t Is the
most elusive of ''atmospheres and the
most effective.
Years ago "Arizona' had a desert scene
which was practically the first success in
hat direction. Ben Hur' showed a cor
rer of the Arabian desert. Only last year
The Roundup showed a remarkab Bile
desert gully. or arroyo, as they call II in