The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-07
NEW YORK TTIEATERS
Critics Are Not Greatly Impressed by New Productions
Appearing Along Great White Way.

vigorous things they are given to speak,
but whether the subject is one that is
hkeiy to appeal 10 a large number Of
people is highly problematic. 1t is pre-
sented by good cast and is well staged.
The only play that ran through the sea-
son last year was Paid in Full" which
was presented az the Astor. But Walters
play was not put on until rather late
IN the season, and, perhaps. The Witch
Ing Hour" had a little the better OF it.
since it played well into the hot weather
and began the previous November. The
two plays which seem destined 70 equal
this mark this season are The Travelling
Salesman" and The Man from Home"
The first opened at the Liberty August
10 last and was then moved to the Gayety.
where 1t has played ever since. The
Man from Home" came here from Chi
cago and opened the week after its rival
at the Astor, taking the place OF Paid
IN Full, which was then continued for
several months at the Weber playhouse.
The first sign Of distress-fguratively
speaking-is in the shape OF the announce
ment that The Travelling Salesman will
pack his bag and go on tour Easter Mon
cay. which, falling about the middle OF
April Will give the comedy a record Of
fun eight months. Perhaps this honor
able record will be broken by its rival
just few doors lower down. since no
date for its closing has so far been given
out.
To relieve the immediate needs Of Mrs.
Lester Wallack. the aged widow or one
or the foremost American actors and
managers. who IS said 10 be in great
want, the Managers Association au-
thorized Daniel Frohman to get I'D
benefit for her, and the event took place
at Wallaek's Theater Friday afternoon.
with the cooperation Of William Faver-
sham. Eleanor Robson. Blanche Bates
Thomas Wise. Douglas Fairbanks. Anna
Held. Fannie Ward. Elsie Janis and
others The house was well sold out In
advance. and those present witnessed a
good performance. Faversham cama over
from Philadelphia and played Romeo TO
MISS Robson's Juliet I'm the balcony
scene, and Fannie Ward played Eugene
waiter one-act piece. The Flag Sta
ton, which served her well during her
London engagement A considerable sum.
II IS said, was raised FOR the beneficiary.
The Shuberts are steadily extending
their circuit OF theaters, and this week
they made the announcement that they
had added two more playhouses to their
list In Greater New York They are the
forkviIe. in Eighty-sixth street, East
Side, and the Metropolis. another uptown
amusement resort, which, with the new
German Theater recently acquired by
them, and 70 be called The Plaza. and the
Grand Opera House in Brooklyn. gives
them five playhouses independent OF those
controlled by them on Broadway. These
are Days. the Maxine Elliott. the Herald
Square. the Lyric. the Majestic. and The
Hlppodrome- They also book the West
End Theater- The newly acquired houses
are TO be managed on the same principles
as the East End. All their Broadway
attractions are to be presented there.
AFTER their runs. at $50 a seat 1t was
claimed here that this firm had secured
control OF the Iilinois-Indiana circuit of
houses. but the rumor was denied nv the
other side.
Inc changes scheduled for next week
include Robert Mantell. who comes n the
New Amsterdam IN king John . suc-
" H. uuhIley IN Kitty Gray,
me English musical comedy, which goes
on tour A special production has been
made ready for ManteIrs opening per-
romance which will be followed by Other
Shakespearean roles. At Waliack's. Fan
ME ward has but one more week to run.
"nen she and The New Lady Bantock"
will be switched TO San Francisco WITH
only one stop. St Louis. Miss Wards ma
tive city. She viii be followed bv Mar
Shaw, in Votes for Women
FRED. z sfy4R AnER