The Washington herald., 1909-01-03
NEW YORK THEATERS
MAXINE ELLIOTTS LITTLE PLAYHOUSE A BEAUTIFUL
THING AND PRIMARILY FOR WOMEN

Hamlet in all the soIemnity OF the orig
inaI character and without a net across
the prOscenium, Miss Raymond is 70
play Ophelia- For my own part. I doubt
II FOy has disappointed me several
times. and I shall not attach any too
great Importance 10 this announcement
unless see It confirmed.
Two announcements were made this
week that serve TO indicate which way
the wind is blowing in the musical com
edy line. Something was said in this
column a week or TWO ago about a no
dceable decline Of interest il this form
Of amusement. and now Sam Bernard.
one Of the most successful musical COM
edy actors, IS going into vaudeville. while
De Wolf Hopper is out with a state
ment that after this season he viii go
into straight comedy and give Up musical
comedy work forever. In the case Of the
former Il is said that his engagement in
vaudeville is for a limited period. But
unless he is provided with an unusually
strong vehicle. it is not hard TO foreteI
that the temporary charm Of vaudeville
may convert Bernard into a permanent
sdherent and follower Of its fortunes.
Only q short time ago jefferson De An
gels announced his intention OF playing
the twice-a-day shows. Hopper declares
that musical comedy is becoming more
and more a spectacular show, while
straight comedy and farce. he thinks. are
bound 70 experience a brisk revival in
the near future. This is not exactly Nat
GOOdHin's opinion. Goodwin has aban-
doned his tour in Cameo Kirby" clos
ing this week in Philadelphia. and IN an
interview declared himself To the effect
that the public was tired OF light com
edieS, and apparently would not support
anything in that line.
In the meantime The Blue Mouse" Is
something Of a hit at the Lyric in this
city, and the management Of The Queen
of the Moulin Rouge" one Of the naugh-
tiest shows that has been seen on Broad
way IN long time. Is organizing a sec
ond company 20 famiHarize the public
with the secrets Of the Partisan under
world Meanwhile, also, Anna Held
seems 10 prosper at the New York Thea
ter All OF which goes 70 show that the
demand for anything that is reasonably
spicy continues 10 enjoy prosperity.
Something racy is expected in Eugene
Walters next play. The Easiest Way
which opens IN Hartford this week prior
TO its first metropolitan appearance in
Washington. But the secret OF the story
is so Wen guarded that all that IS known
about Il IS cOnjecturaL II Is said Go
trench closely on forbidden ground. how
ever. and interest here is widely alert
Billie Burke's engagement is 20 end
January ., and on January = Eleanor
Robson IS 20 take her place az the Ly-
ceum IN new play Miss Burke. after
visiting Boston. viii go 10 London 20
appear IN Love Watches" Annie Rus
sells engagement has ended at the
Weber playhouse. and her place viii be
taken By Digby Bel in a play by George
Broadhurst entitled An International
Maria ase-' George ArIiss VIII play The
Devilr but q few weeks more at the
Relasco. when he VIII be followed by
Frances Starr in her new play mentioned
above
The first performance Of The Blue
Mouse" IN the original German was given
at the Irving Place Tteater on Thurs
day night. with Hernine Holman iu
the name part The early. part OF the
week was devoted 20 revival OF ''Old
Heidelberg and resulted IN a splendid
performance. FRED. E. SCHRADER