Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-19


many thought to be the best. production
Of his peculiar theatrical genius, The
Yankee Prince Those who admire the
snappy et-up-and-get style of eccentric
musical plays for which Mr.. Conan
stands will doubtless fill the theater at
every performance and be sorry when the
week is over.
| At the Belasco Charles Cherry, whose
splendid performances as a leading man
are too well known to be recounted here
| WI. branch out as star with Ruth May
cliffe, who has made an equally fine rec
ord in her line. Their play, THE Bache-
| lor," the last of the late Clyde Fitch's
productions, will therefore have a triple
interest to theatergoers. 1t comes highly
recommended for it's intrinsic worth as Il
laugh producer, which is always accepta-
| bic to those who wish to be taken out OF
themselves and forget the cares of every
| day life 1.-The Bachelor is said to be one
of Clyde Fitch's happiest comedies, and as
such will commend itself not only to all
| the admirers of the late dramatic author,
| but to those who recall his genius and
worth as displayed in many of the most
| popular efforts in that line, which have
been prominent in the recent annals of the
stage.
| Polly of the Circus this time with
Edith Taliaferro in the leading role,
| which was created by her sister Mabel in
| this city two years ago, will be the attrac-
ton at the Columbia. 1t is a beautiful
play, in which the love story Of minister
for circus girl is charmingly and unique
| ly told and the incidents of the circus
sawdust blended with the quiet peace Of
the sanctuary. Miss Taliaferro is very
| young star, but her art has received high
appreciation at the hands Of many critics.
who see in her future great possibilities.
AS a feature the play presents circus in
full blast, with genuine animals and per-
formers at work In the ring.
| Chase's, as usual, promises an eXtraor-
binary bill of polite vaudeville, headed
by Jesse l.. Lasky's laughable melodious
production, "At the Waldorf" The older
! theatergoers will find distinct pleasure
| in the bill in the temperance of the
popular comedian of years gone by, Fred
Bond, who, with Fremont Benton and
good company, will present MY Awful
Dad" The bill also contains other and
distinguished favorites in the world of
polite vaudeville, whose offerings cannot
| fail to attract admirers of that style
| of performance.
The Academy presents new melo-
dramatic production by A. II. Woods,
1.-THE River Pirates with a capable
cast and competent scenic accessories.
This house stands alone in the exclusive
presentation of the melodrama, and it's
| patrons are legion.
1.-The Kentucky Bellies" with two one
act musical comedies "a Girl from AL
| bany' and "A Texas Desperado,'' as we'll
as an olio of high-class specialties, will
! occupy the boards at the New Lyceum.
| Thus the attractions at all the theaters
are much above the average and suited
to all tastes.
/ AL II. Wilson, with his brilliant little
assistant, Olive Wright and one of those
impossible idealistic connections devised
to display his song singing, drew to the
Columbia Theater last week audiences
that standard plays of merit with better
actors have failed to win. More, he won
every evening curtain calls that would
have made the most eminent star feel
/ f1attered and have stamped his efforts
a wonderful success Yet there never
was more impossible character than
the German Irishman, the Irish Ger
man, Metz, whose only badge of his nation
atty was the faintest tinge now and then
of the German dialect.
The play was of the type that has so
long been employed by Irish and German
comedians to display their song singing
abilities. 1t was pleasant throughout,
and among its other achievements it
held the interest of veteran manager
of one OF the leading theaters until the
fall Of the last curtain at one of its
productions. Who shall say what the
people these days really want in the
dramatic line?
| SLANG AN EFFECTIVE FACTOR
Slang is put to effective use in one of the
scenes In Polly of the Circus in which
Edith Taliaferro comes to the Columbia
/ this week.
The little sck-a-bed lady of the tan
bark, injured by fall from her horse, is
seen tucked away under coverlets in the
| home of a rural minister, who is the
good Samaritan of the occasion. She
wakes up early in the morning and slow
| Iy comes to realization of what has
| happened John. the clergyman. sits be-
| side her, and their conversation develops
| the most charming episode of the story.
| Polly talks i'm the only language she
| knows, the argot of showland, and the
| minister gives gentle, often puzzled re-
sponses. The spirit of girlish naivete and
] the delicate, impulsive realism Miss Talia-
| ferro, who plays the little circus rider,
puts into her words, invests the scene
| with subtle charm and carries current
of pathos underneath it's mild humor:
| kinder tough, amt it?'' says Polly,
| when she finally understands the show
has gone on and left her behind. How
| long will it be?'
THE doctor can tell better about that
when he comes.'' answered the young
minister.
Doctor. AS bad as that, Ell? It's my
wheel. amt it?"
"Yo' what?" demands Mandy, the COL
ored nurse, in surprise.
my whcel-my creeper. Oh, golly, that
hurts. Is it punctured?"
| When Polly learns that John is a cler-
gyman she bounces up with Great Bar
mum and Bailey! You sky pilot! Well,
| / never thought 1 would be talking to one
| of you guys
"My church is right out there" says
John. You can see it from the window
| How long have you worked here?" she
asks.
| give only been here about six months"
'Six months! Haven't they got mighty
tired of your spiel?''
ROPED STEERS FOR AMUSEMENT
It's q long step from the New York
stage to an Oklahoma ranch, and punch
ing cattle hardly seems the ideal vaca-
ton for a girl actress who first made a
| reputation in this city as a beautiful