The Washington herald., 1909-06-13
THIS WEEKS PLAYBILLS
BeIascO-..succe.n.,

BelascO-aSuccesH.s
At the Belasco Theater tomorrow night
there win be offered the first perform
ance on any stage Of Preston Gibson's
new play in three acts. entitled Sue
cess The story OF the play. briefly. Is
as follows:
Douglas Thompson (Alphonz Ether, a
young Vrginian living In the home OF his
ancestors, is rather down on his luck
through his own negligence. and Is lead
ing useless life. He has been COM
PEELED TO sell the homestead to Frederick
Winthrop. a young New York broker,
who wishes the place TO come down for
few weeks 10 entertain house parties.
This Mr.. Winthrop CH. s. Northrup)
brings down a house party, including
typical New York society minister. Dr.
Snieker Frederick PowelD, Mrs. Ander-
son CAIiss Belle Bohn). a leader OF the
four hundred. and her daughter. Aline
Anderson laura BurD, a charming un-
spoiled New York girl: also Mr.. and Mrs.
Parr CMr. Gerard and Miss Esmonde).
Thompson falls in love with Aline and
decides to make something Of his life
There is little country girl, Helen John
son (Ethel Grey Terry) whom Thomp-
son has educated and taken care OF from
a child. Mr. Winthrop. taken by her
fresh beauty, persuaded her TO come to
New York. and at the end Of this scene
Thompson finds her in tears. He is COM
forting her when Aline appears, who
thinks he is making love to Helen and is
playing with her. She repudiates him.
The second and third acts are laid at the
home Of Mrs Anderson. in New York
City, one year having elapsed. Thompson
Is also in New York. and has begun TO be
q financial power and the Wall street
wolves endeavor TO take away his large
coal stock. Mrs. Anderson, who is in
financial difficulties. persuades Aline that
she must marry Winthrop, who in the
meantime has married the little Virginia
girl. He has deserted her, but she turns
up to claim him. He sends her to
hotel. and as she is very in hopes she
VIII die there Shortly after Aline ac-
cepts Winthrop. Thompson appears and
offers his hand 10 her She is unable 70
accept. and the scene ends with a tre-
mendous climax. in which Thompson as
serts his position. In the third act every
thing is satisfactorily explained, and the
act closes with general success for
Thompson.
Special scenery has been painted, and
the psoductiOn will be adequate in every
respect. The ladies have made especial
arrangements 10 dress their respective
roles in a striking manner. several of the
dresses having been imported from Paris.
The excellent cast is well balanced. and
the performance promises 10 be intensely
interesting. The production is made under
the direct supervision OF the author, Mr..
Gibson, assisted by Mr.. H S. Hadheld.
NatfOnaI-''It Happened in NOrdIand."
To the already varied list Of their rep
ertory. embracing comic and standard
operas and English and American musical
comedy. the Aborn Opera Company. at
the New National Theater will add an
other classification IN 1t Happened in
Nordland" musical extravaganza.
The revival Of this piece will not only
be a new addition TO the Aborn offerings.
but It will also be the first presentation
of this noted Lew Fields success at
summer prices. The largest audiences
seem to be drawn by the introduction Of
these recent hits to the reduced price list.
ana Messrs. Aborn have consequently ar
ranged for a number Of other pieces
later. Tt Happened in Nordland' was
produced by Lew Fields and his famous
company In New York several years ago,
where it had one Of the longest Of runs
70 tremendous receipts Its book Is by
Glen McDonough and is so far the most
complete success he has turned out.
The scenes are laid in mythical cOun-
try called Nordland to which a bright
= -
the United States. only 10 find that the
queen has disappeared and left her court
IN CONSERVATION. The American girl dis
covers that she looks enough Ike the alb
sent queen 10. take her place. which she
does, taking up the reins OF government
and running things 10 suit herself With
this extravaganza-like advantage Il can
easily be imagined what a witty, mis-
chievous American girl would do with
group Of picturesque, amusing, and &c
centric characters. and on TIE train of
complications which she COncoCts rests
the main fabric OF comedy. Of which there
is a-plenty in 1T Happened in Nordland."
Victor Herbert wrote the musical score,
and little more need be said in this re-
gard. for the ever-delightful style Of this
composers music. it's variety. originality.
and complete charm have already been
impressed upon the popular operate ear
IN many brilliant successes. Among the
particularly shining hits in 1T Happened
In Nordland' are The Woman in the
Case ''Absinthe Frappe," Slipper
James" MY Catamaran." THE Knot Of
Blue The Jack o. Lantern Girl, The
Matinee Maid ''Bandana Land al
Fresco.' and She's Very Dear Friend
OF Mine"
Again the followers Of the Aborn season
selection evenly divided between new
commers specially engaged for roles in
which they have been successful else
where and established favorites of the
permanent Aborn organization. many of
whom find suitable parts III the cast. The
added members include several singers
and comedians who have won high favor
here before IN Aborn presentations. These
are Herman Hirshberg. remembered for
his clever conceptions OF German. comedy
roles in The Fortune Teller and The
Singing Girl" Robinson Newbold. who
gave a most artistic Interpretation OF
Ichabod Bronson in The Belle of New
York" last summer. and Florence Bur
dett, the English prims donna and come
dienne who charmed us with her work as
Lady Holyrood in "Florodora" a year
ago. OF the present list OF favorites at
the National. George W Leslie will be
cast for Baron Sparta, Forrest HUFF as
DR. Otto, FRITZ Won Busing as Partheuia.
Blanche Morrison as the marouise Har-
riet Sheldon as Princess Aline. and Cliff
ford Robertson. another new arrival. win
be seen as the Duke OF Token. Messrs.
HIrshberg and Newbold and Miss Burdett
viii be cast. respectively. for Hubert.
Prince George. and Katherine Peepfogel.
COlumbia-sMy Wife"
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