Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

Theater's eminent and eStln1aDie
~ traditions may well spare a
week OF its time to an actor OF
Mr. j. E DodsOn's rank. even
though no enthusiastic agent Is able 10
describe the applications for seat space
in the auditorium as "a riot. MI DOG
son is not one OF the players whose
Washington box office statements can De
Haunted in the faces of other proies-
sional visitors as record OF Dig pusi-
ness. This must be left 10 some meioci-
Gus and irresponsible creation ike Inc
Goo-goo Girl or Miss Frizzie from
Frisco
There is Only one task more thankless
than framing platitudes about artistic
success compromising for pecuniary dis
appointment. and that is listening to
them. Yet to approach the subject some
what in the spirit of a German philoso-
pher. money beyond certain point is
merely a means OF securing the adnira-
tion. envy or esteem of the surrounding
public. These Mr.. Dodson assuredly has.
without the INTERPRETATION OF check or
currency Incidentally II may be observ
cd that Washingt0n's backwardness
about theater-going so far this season is
rot to be taken as a basis for measuring
the business Mr.. Dcdson may have been
doing or may do elsewhere. In private
life he does not look like man with
a crouch. however successfully he may
act the part professionally.
For an actor to assume the hard. UNI
lovable role OF the intolerant baronet in
The House Next Door seems like fly
ing in the face of popular prejudice. Sen
timentaliSm ready made is the demand of
the average taste. II is almost revolu-
tionary for an actor or manager to eX-
pect his auditor to provide himself with
judicial mind and understand the att-
tude OF a personality whose mental proc
esses may naturally be at variance with
his own. Yet this play delves boldly into
the most rancorous social prejudices that
European life can show and argues for
"A broad, generous understanding among
honest and intelligent men of all kinds
and conditions with a frank simplicity
that defies argument II is doubtful
whether this logical structure compact
and symmetrical as IL is, would invite the
attention needful to carry conviction
were 1t not for the delicate yet powerful
Characterization of the chief member of
The excellent company. No more fasci-
mating gentleman of the old school has
faced the footlights since +. 8. Willard
played Col. Newcome. Mr. Dodson's i'm
PRESERVATION is so infinitely accurate that
those unfamiliar with his art-as a vast
number of Washington theatergOers I'M
fortunately are-might easily suspect that
1t was an instance Of peculiar personal
adaptability.
The merest chance gave Mr.. Dodson an
opportunity to quite thoroughly, though
Internationally, disprove such An as
sumption. He courteously and generous
" volunteered his services In behalf of
the unfortunate young woman for whom
a benefit was given Friday afternoon.
His contribution consisted OF a series Of
illustrations of the way in which differ
ent people would recite THE Charge Of
the Light Brigade II seemed a peril
Gus proposition. somewhat akin to the
my next imitation" of the conventional
mimic. But II was in reality a mastery
study OF types-a revelation OF keen per-
ception of national and social traits.
both physical and psychological.
The benefit performance was in some
respects the most interesting event of
the week. Those who have seen Aunt
Mary so often that they know her whim-
steal sayings almost by heart enjoyed
the exceptional privilege of seeing May
Robson in a new role. The dear old lady,
who. In seeking a roseberry shrub acct
dentally came into intimate relations with
a bottle of champagne, was well worth
knowing. To Miss Robson belongs the dis
tinction of introducing the only really re-
fined feminine jag extant on the Amer
lean stage. There is not coarse note in
the performance and yet the hu1nor is
irresistible as the study of human nature
II sincere.
Wilton Lackaye, sonorous and iustrous-
eyed. reappeared in THE Battle Wash
ington. as the one-time home city of Mr..
Lackaye. has observed his career with
interest in the hope that he would one
day realize the artistic greatness which
his triumphs a member OF the Law
renee Barrett Dramatic Association fore
told. His Svengau appeared to have es-
tabiished him in high rank. But just as
he seemed secure. fate in its perversity
brought along an inconseauential musical
review called THE Merry World" in
which Warfeld. then an irresponsible
burlesquer. introduced a Svengali in
whom he out-Lackayed Lackaye, and
made the role seem like common property
NJ. Lackaye has since had good plays
but has never enjoyed the pre-eminent
distinction which was prophesied for him.
lie has attained a reputation for caustic
wit which sometimes. as in the curtain
speech appealing for a more lucrative pa
tronage comes dangerously close TO i'm
pudence. II may be that the very per-
sonal and acrid note in his career has
operated to ALLEVIATE the idealists who sit
out in front and love to picture their
stage heroes generous good fellows
in private existence as we'll as on the
mimic scene. PHfLANDER JOHNSON
ONCE A Northumberland Keller
mann. famous for her diving, swimming
and diabolo playing. was born In Sydney,
New South Wales. twenty-five years ago.
The future worlds champion learned to
swim with the ordinary breast stroke
when she was but nine years old. II was
not until six years ago. however. that she
determined to make swimming and diving
her profession.