The Washington herald., 1908-01-30

ON HERALD, THURSDAY, IA.
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
At the Belasco this morning seats will
go on sale for the engagement of Mrs.
Flske and the Manhattan Company, who
viii appear at the playhouse mex: week
tn Ibsen's ''Rosmersholm. This IS Mrs.
Fiske's newest offering, and reports from
New York where she produced it only re-
Gently. say that she has never given a
finer performance, The role OF Rebeeea
West is one for which Mrs. Fiske IS ideal
ly fitted, and she is said to excel in 1t
her former triumphs as Tess. Becky
Sharpe, and Hedda. The play is modern,
intensely interesting, and without an
equal for sheer dramatic power. By many
| it is considered Ibsen's masterpiece. The
main theme Is the love OF Rebecca West
and John Rosmer and its final expiation
Also involved is the political and religious
strit between radical and conservative
forces. which, like the other elements OF
the story. is true to human nature the
civilized world over Every character in
the play is an important one, and, az
usual with the offerings under the man
/ agement Of Harrison Gray Fiske the cast
is of exceptional merit. From its former
appearances here we know the Manhattan
Company TO be the representative dra-
matte company on our stage This sea-
son, however, Il has the best OF material
10 work with, and there results a per-
Torrance that is said 10 be practically
perfect IN the cast are Bruce Mac Crae,
George Ariiss, Fuller Mellish, Albert
Bruning. and Florence Montgomery. AS
usual. Mrs Fishes engagement will be
the signal for large and brilliant audi
ences at the Belasco.
In THE Right Of Way" which Klaw &
Erlanger present at the Columbia Thea
ter next week, Sir Gilbert Parker, the
author of the novel. wrote story Of in
tense dramatic force. There is no scene
in contemporary fiction of more convinc-
ing appeal than the scene IN steele's
den at the beginning Of the story AMI
play. IN the story are depicted two OF
the most natural feminine characters that
could possibly be staged. Kathleen is a
woman who will sacrifice the love Of
life for the impulse of a moment,
ton Too moral 10 seek release Ia di-
vorce. she endures coldly and with in
tense reserve the situation brought about
by her own pride. Had Steele continued
to crafty Ksthleen's ambition. il is
doubtful If she would have ever found
time TO think OF the other man. The
other woman. Resale. is the usual ideal
woman-essentally a heroine, not essen
TALLY real She is of the religious type,
not blindly. but intellectually, and her ef-
feet on the cropping man Is foregone
conclusion. The unusually strong COM
pany is headed by Guy Standing and
Theodore Roberts, who are specially fea-
tured as joint stars, in the respective
roles Of Charley Steele and Joe Portu-
gals
Washington playgoers who are lovers OF
Balzac's novels have in store for them
an unexpected treat in the production at
the New National Theater next week by
Otis Skinner Of his play. THE Honor Of
the Family" adapted by Paul n. Potter
from one of Balzac's justly famous
romances Everything that Mr.. Skinner
produces is Of extreme interest Intense
devotion 10 his art, an excellent habit of
thinking FOR himself, and so impsrting
originality into every part he creates
have been the secret Of his success. The l
Honor of the Family" is a strong. daring
drama, with an essentially romantic en-
vironment Mr. Skinner viii assume the
character OF Philippe Bridau. one Of the
faithful BonapaTtists after the Emperor s /
downfall. who vowed in good earnest a
mortal ennity 20 the Bourbons, and even
refused the opportunities which were Of
Tered 10 him fol employment In the infan-
try with his rank OF lieutenant colonel
The character ia one In which reckless /
ness, ~unblushiug effronteTy. and cool cour-
age are blended in a most fascinating
way. A true artist like Otis Skim er, /
who Is "a favoTite I'm the affection 81 the
local public. is sure 10 make THE Honor
OF the Family a play well worth seeing
1t Will receive a careful and thorough
production, as Mr.. skinner is under the
direction OF Charles Frohmsn, and every
production made by Mr.. Frohman is In
variably representative OF good taste, Te-
search and lavish outlay.
The company is srong IN well-known
names. Miss Percy HasweII, who for
merry starred in a Royal Family, THE
Darling OF the Gods" and other epoch |
making plays, is Mr.. SINNERS leading
woman. Miss Haswell is unquestionably
one OF the most gifted emotional actresses |
among the younger women Of the stage.
Chase's next week will compel atten-
ton with a polite vaudeville bill fairly
overlooking with diversions, including
James j. Morton, Henry Horton and com
pany, the Five Madcaps, Frank Byron
and Louise Langdon Bobker's Whirlwnd
Arabs. Dora Ronca. Clement De Lion.
and the outing motion pictures OF a
Visit to the London Zoo
James J. Morton, the big, bluff. buoyant.
bully ''yarnspnner." will be a number
from which the Chase patrons will ne
loath 10 part, for they are as fond of the
fellow of infinite jest as the Italian OF
his beloved spaghetti Henry Horton is
the well-kuown character comedian who
was called upon TO follow In W H. |
Cranes footsteps and star in the former |
place in ''Eben Holden making a hit
Mr.. Horton will present Uncle LENS
Dilemma" said to be The Old Home
stead" OF vaudeville. The Five Madcaps
from London will be another eXtTaOrdi-
nary feature. and their viVacity, Vocalics,
and terpsichoreans diversities will oeca-
sion flattering appreciation. Mr., Byron
and Miss Langdon viii be first in the van
Of farcical folly, and their Dude De-
tective" is said to be one of the greatest
laughwinneTs Of the year. The other fea-
lures will make the bill a memorable one.
The advanced sale Of reserved seats is in
progress.
Washington playgoeTs who like to weep
and laugh in turn are assured ore of the
best plays Of the season next week at
the Majestic, when Mr. Lew Welch, the
noted comedian and character actor, ap-
pears in THE Shoemaker, written ex-
pressy for him by Hal Reid. As Morris |
Goldberg, the East Side Hebrew shoe |
maker Mr. Welch has ample opportunity |