Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06

an absurdity and every line a VIOLA
tile caprice of fancy untrammeied by
moral or ethical restraint. go to see
a piece by a French author
If you want a cold logical discussion of
duty in its most uncompromising aspect,
unreiieved by a suggestion that life even
in its most serious concerns may present
eIimpses of humor. go to see piece by a
French author
The Gallo genius knows middle
ground. Intensity is it's first and I'M
swerving purpose. Existence is either a
Irritation or a tragedy.
No more serious drama than Divorce
has been presented in long time. It's
title calls attention to the Contrasted
moods in which the Partisan theater viii
approach the same subject. In every re-
spect this work is the antithesis of the
dashing comedy in which Grace George
recently appeared. Stanislaus STANCE
again displays remarkable facility as an
adapter. He seems equally at home in
comic opera in the phiIosophic drama.
If the Whitney management, under which
Mr. STANCES work is usually done. desired
dramatization of Herbert Spencer. Mr..
STANCE would no doubt undertake it as
cheerfully as he would a contract to pro-
His dramatization of "Quo Vadis?" won
him literary standing calculated to in
vite the most respectful attention to this
latest production for whose version in
English he is responsible.
The manner of developing the story
does not suggest that there has been
much departure from Paul Bourgeois
rio MT iS
NO effort being made to meet the popular
prejudice in favor of stirring curtain ell
makes or to bring about denouement
which will satisfy symapthetic interest.
Were it not for the splendid acting ability
with which the company is equipped 1t
would be little more than a philosophc
discussion in dialogue. Its subject is one
of such vital interest that it cannot fail
10 attract the attention of many thought
full people.
And the scenes defining the conflict
which may occur between church author
ity and civil law are so impressive that
they make an effort to understand the
conditions abroad to which they apply
well worth an auditors while 1t is ere
alton distinct and apart from the mirth,
music and melodrama that seem to call
for current popularity although the
enormous success which Walker White
side is reported to- be enjoying in THE
Melting Pot in Chicago may indicate
that there is demand for acting a
means of calculating serious thought.
the Gay Musician" must haze refer
once to Julian Edwards, the composer of
the music which rescued the most recent
effort at melody-drama from absolute
somnoience. Mr.. Edwards might permit
himself some ljght-heartedness i'll con-
teInpa tins; the effect of his portion of the
enterprise, but from Mr. Mron, who in
discussing salad has to say lettuce
alone to the young woman who plays a
dummy piano if she had b1en acCus-
toned TO practice six hours day at the
typewriter, the cast gropes through sol
emn vistas of incomprehensible inanity.
Yes, it's as bad as that
Remarks of this character do not nee
essarily imply that the production is a
failure. There are managers who in
their bright leXicons permit no such word
as fail. When the late kirke LaSheile
wrote Princess Chic" he was abused in
manner which has been equalad ouly by
the criticisms OF Ensiand's poet laureate.
But he stuck to his Intentions and by q.
OF revision and advertising made .'Prin-
cess Chic" one Of the standard attrac-
lions the road, though it never gained
any metropolitan following So there is
reason for declaring that sunny
future for THE Gay Musician is i'm
possible But, as it stands, 1t is below the
zero mark.
Dockstader's MINISTRIES seem TO be some
thing of a merger. 1t is a long time be-
tween minstrel shows these days but
when one does arrive it is an aggrega-
ton of talent and an array of scenery
that makes the traditional semicircle
with bones at che end and tambour.ne
at the other look by comparison like
one-ring circus in IL back lot No per-
former who advances to the foot!ights
with the ayowed intention of distributing
smiles is more alert for new material
than Dockstader. \ keen observer of
current events himself. like many other
comedians he has his literary faithful
Achates, whose one object in life is to
supply him with new songs. Jean Havez
who wrote When the Hammer on the
Anvil Rings we'll as d number of the
Aons hits that previously occupied the
popular ear, Is Mr.. DoCkSttder words
and-muSic artist at present. Vincent
Bryan, who used to supply Dockstader
HOW ldbOrs 10 keep Harry Bulger going
with pdtter songs, and William Jerome
sees 10 it that Eddie Foy has something
of the style that suits him best for any
emergency that may arise.
These relations of writer and star are
not found alone in the realms of comic
entertainment The names OF Sardou and
Sarah Bernha-dt were for Il time as close
~ linked those OF Belasco and Mrs.
Carter. Sometimes actor takes into
his intimate confidence IL literary adviser
who is not essentially a writer for the
stage. There is nothing that assists or
binders the popularity OF a legitimate
player so materially the manner in
which he is discussed in print.
The more legitimate an actors preten-
sions the more he is dependent on the
impressions which reading people acquire
of his work and personality. Henry lrv-
ing recognized this and his literary rep
resentative. Bran Stoker, was not only
cherished intimate of his personal and
professional life. but was his chief bioa
rapher after death had closed the great
English actors wonderful career. A sim
irar aI4fin tel hefy n