Evening star., 1909-06-27

those who saw it. because Of the excellent
| manner in which it was presented by
/ every one in the cast, from the highest
TO the humblest
In "The Man on the Box the Colum-
bia Players added another laurel to their
well earned crown. This is especially
true of Orme Caldara, who, in the opinion
of "a great many, surpassed Henry E.
Dixey In his own role of Lieut.. Robert
worburton. Mr.. Caldara has amply
demonstrated to the playgoers of Wash
ington that he is a finished and capable
actor, strong. dignified intelligent and ar
tistic in whatever role may fall TO his lot.
No less delightful has been the work of
Julia Dean throughout the season. Miss
Dean has charm peculiarly her own,
but il is not so much her pleasing per-
sonality as her genuine dramatic worth
that appeals to the capacity audiences,
which have been the nightly rule at the
Columbia for weeks past The Columbia
Players as a whole, entitled to credit
for the attractive repertoire .ey have so
we'll presented during the present season.
The Aborn Comic Opera Company at
the New National has also been giving
some very creditable operate and musical
comedy presentations. 1t Is an immense
work to give an elaborate presentation of
a new opera every week. One scarcely
realizes the magnitude of the work. And
yet despite the fact, the Aborn Company
has been giving weekly offerings of works,
the original production of which cost
thousands OF dollars in money and months
of trying preparation, and in some in
stances with degree of excellence
scarcely second to the original companies
which produced them. And, be it re-
membered, the prices are less than half
charged to see the original productions.
There are bitches at times. 1t is true.
The wonder is there are not more. Abso-
lutely finished productions require much
more than 1t is possible for a summer
stock company TO give a new opera every
week. And yet, the critic must be cap
tious. indeed, who falls to appreciate the
merits of the performances thus far given.
All have been reasonably good and none
other than thoroughly entertaining.
"nameless play" Will be the attraction
this week at the Belasco; In the Bishops
Carriage" with Julia Dean in her original
creation of Nance Olden at the Columbia.
and Tar and Tartar" by the Aborns at
the New National All should draw well
in spite of the weather.
SOLDIER AND ACTOR.-One need not
wonder at the ease naturalness and ex-
perience which Edward Emery brings to
his work in creating new roles with the
Belasco Theater Producing Company. He
was practically born in the profession
and comes from family who have been
actors, father and son, for over two
hundred years.
Mr.. Emery is an Engiishman. He came
TO America in 1898 with Sir Charles
Wyndham's company, which opened the
fremont Theater. Boston He then re-
ceived an offer from Charles Frohman
and has Practically remained in this
country ever since. Mr.. Emery says It
Is strange fact that while in England
he always plays comedy roles, the Ameri-
lean managers insist on casting him
for "heavy" or villain roles His per-
sonal preference is to play In the old
English comedies In which he made his
reputation in England with such artists
as Sir Henry Irving, Hawtrey. Wynd-
ham, Beerbohm Tree and Mr.. and Mrs
Kendall.
Previous to adopting the stage as a
career Mr.. Emery WAS an officer in the
Africa during the first Boer war. Later
he went up the Nile in Egypt with the
second Gordon relief expedition. Mr.
Emery was in Gen. kitchener's division
which reached Khartum n few hours
after Gen. Gordon had been killed by
the Mahdi fanatics.
MFR. Emery's father, Samuel Emery, at
one time controlled three Of the largest