Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-15

worn out with overwork. the leading man
and woman of the company were COM
PEELED to retire week ago and seek the
regeneration that could come quickly
alone through an ocean voyage. there
were many who predicted that the ex
traordinary run at the Columbia was at
an end, and with perhaps one week more
the management would gracefully bow
itself out and get ready for the regular
season. which was scheduled to open the
first week in September. But now comes
the announcement that the demands of
the patrons have obliged the management
not only 10 give the extra weeks per-
Torrance. but To add another and still
another to that, and in order to provide
for probably the last week of the summer
season, when The Circus Girl will be
the offering Conan and Harris min
strel troupe had to be asked to make way
for it. This TO the more than casual OBJ
server indicates much that is not on the
surface. To the oldtime theatergoer
there was nothing 50 good as the regular
stock company. Does the experience of
the Columbia management indicate that
there is room in Washington for thea
ter with such an organization, or is the
exceptional ability in the performers?
both. and maybe not.
Julia Dean gave some unusually good
performances this summer. in which her
playing was forced in direct comparison
with some of the best leading women and
even stars in her line. yet she never Suf-
fered once by the comparison, and there
she cxcelled orme Caldara came rather
late IN the season aud Yet in very short
while he took a rank IN popularity that
even such favorites as Edwin Arden, Guy
Standing and John Mason might have
cnvied him. They We're TWO excellent
players 10 lead that famous Columbia or
sanization and when they left there was
more than the usual regret Their ova-
ton at the last performance has seldom
ii ever. been e1Iualed in Washington And
yet ''Charleys Aunt came along without
either of them, and in il Everett Butter
field and his associates actually touched
the high water mark of the season with
it. The bookings for next week, with
Frederick \. Thompson in Sol Smith Rus
sells famous role of Noah Vale in ~
Poor Relation indicate that the wave
of success is far from broken. How long
would the run continue if the manage
ment and the company were in a position
10 continue il? Does all this mean that
Washington has room for theater with
a permanent stock company which will
present new and popular attractions at
popular prices? Is there theater in the
city that can make box Office showing
in the same time even in the regular
season To equal that which has been
made by the Columbia Players this sum-
mer? The amusement loving public, as
Well as theater managers, are interested
in the answer TO the question.
And now comes Chase's with its cheer
full chirp of the regular season. its new
and promising bills OF polite vaudeville
open its seat subscriptions for the year
will nearly meet the years expenses.
Chase's is Very popular as well as a
very polite factor IN the amusement
world of Washington. 1t could not well
he spared.
There are echoes, too that Indicate the
reopenng of the Beiasco. The Play-
house Beautiful, as Manager L. Stod-
dard Taylor terms il. The list of reg
ular season attractions there is very
tempting The theater Itself Is estab-
nshed as of Washngton's finest
and the future promises compensation
equal TO its reputation.
~AS Academy, with its fine melo-