The Washington herald., 1909-04-25
Society and the Stage.

One OF the most interesting features OF
fhe waning theatrical season is the an
nuai performance BY the Washington
Comedy Club The plays given each
spring BIZ this organization have come 70
constitute not only a social function, but
theatrical event as vel. 10. be looked
forward 70 eagerly alike By those VINO
are SO fortunate as 20 participate and the
ones whose only roles are those Of spec
tators.
Last week About Thebes'' became the
Mecca every evening for a social cut
pouring equal probably 10 none accorded
an. performances Of the kind in Wash
sngton, where gatherings OF notable per
sons are matters Of everyday occurrence
There is a peculiar interest awakened by
these amateur productions, particularly
within the coterie 10 which the young
actors and actresses belong Each indi-
vidual probably had a host Of friends in
the house anxious TO give encouragement
by applause and approval Of various
kinds, TO say nothing Of the good-natured
rivalry between the several participants.
each keen TO show his or her neighbor
the real thing in singing or acting.
That the whole affair is practically de-
voted 10 local charities is matter OF
moment Such worthy institutions as
were made benehciaries under the per
1oTmances given al the Belasoo Theater
last week were greatly in need OF the help
thus gained. and as the devotion Of
Washington society 10 the theater and
also 10 charity IS proverbial. the cOmbi-
nation formed a magnet that few could
resist. Many hundreds Of dollars were
in this way collected for The relief Of suf-
fsring and for the furtherance OF various
benevolent projects.
Amateur theatricals hold an extraOrdi-
nary fascination for the average indivld-
uaL Why people IN many different walks
Of life should almost unanimously cher
ish the idea that they can act is q matter
Of conjecture. Most Of them would not
dream CT adopting The stage as means
Of livelihood, although they probably
would be willing 10 admit their entire ft-
ness for such d career. But il is, never
theless. true that the protector OF ana
teur performances IS always deluged with
applications from persons Of little or no
experience. who consider that they can
SO on the stage without preparation and
Immediately impress audiences with their
genius
Il IS very likely. however, that the
Washington Comedy Club can be ab-
solved from suspicion ot harboring any
members with such egotisticsl ideas.
Most Of the young ladies' and gentlemen
who appeared in About Thebes" ap-
preached their various tasks with a diff
dence and realization OF the seriousness
oF their attempts that would be a lesson
IN modesty 20 the average professional
actor. They appreciated their own short
comings and the toleration with which
their audiences were bound 10 consider
them. Allowing for the limited resources
which every amateur theatrical organiza-
ton must work with, II Is no exaggera-
rion 10 say that from a standpoint Of 10
cal interest and artistic endeavor there
have been many professional shows which
have not been so faithfully produced and
SO pieasingly acted as About Thebes %
There Is q refreshing naivete about It
at and decided evidence Of ability
where one would not always think Of
looking for Il.
The amateur productions are OF distinct
=alue, not only locally, where naturally
the greatest interest IN them centers. but
10 the professional stage as well More
than one clever actor or actress has been
discovered in the ranks Of diIettante play
ers who has risen 20 enviable heights
Y the dramatic world. and librettists and
composers are discovered IN the same
way. One thing is certain. and that is
that the stage IS the gamer If recruits
are gathered from the ranks Of those who
have not only brains and genius, but who
have the added advantages Of birth and
breeding as well