Evening star., 1909-05-30

BEN JUDSON.-Among the local COM
posers who have thus far confined their
musical efforts to songs and amateur op-
eras none is more widely known or per-
haps more gifted in musical composition
than Ben Judson, who has composed all
the music for the minstrel show which
the Washington Canoe Club will give at
nights.
For long time Mr.. Judson was men,
ber of the famous Madrids. quartet of
instrumental performers that has never
been surpassed in local amateur circles.
Later he began writing the music for
songs, some of them simple and others
more pretentious. Still later he won high
commendation for his efforts In operate
composition, and one Of his operas, THE
Margrave," the book for which was writ
ten by local newspaper men, so at
tracted the attention of Fred Whitney
that he had partially agreed to produce
1t after The Emerald 1sle," then being
presented in Baltimore in its earliest
form, was we'll under way. Financial
difficulties overlook him. however, and he
could not make good his promise. Ca
mile dArville also thought very highly
of the opera. Later, in collaboration with
but never finished. 'The Maid of the
Moon" In it he disclosed talent for
the composition of beautiful melodies and
a gift for orchestration which astonished
arrangement of the minstrel offering of
the Washington Canoe Club last year is
still the talk of those who witnessed the
production. This year his friends think
I'm Japan and "In Africa With Roose-
velt'' he has composed ten entirely new
numbers which have readily lent them
selves to stage elaboration. Among them
"The African Beau Brummeil." For I
Am Theodore Roosevelt" Bargains" !"
Golden Moon" and others. Their har-
mony Is said to be delightful. They will
some Of the best local male singers in
Washington. including Harry Stevens,
Roland r. Roderick. Newton T. Hammer,
j. Frank Duggan. Edward II. Brown,
Felix Mahoney, T. Brooke Amiss. jr., w.
H. Morsell, Harold Lincoln and DIR. Willis
Pomeroy, assisted by a large male
chorus.
The words Of these songs were written
by L. F. Eberbach. another member of
the canoe club. who has constructed the
book Of the production.
GEORGE w. LESLIE.-The return to
the Aborn Opera Company of George w.
Leslie, the well known comedian and
favorite Of last season at the New Ma
tional. is welcome news to a host of his
admirers here.
Mr. Leslie is Philadelphia player,
whose first appearance on the stage was
with the famous comedian. John Sleeper
Clarke, under the management of the
veteran John T. Ford. Following this
engagement Mr.. Leslie appeared with
Roland Reed and Hoyt & Thomas, play
ing the leading comedy roles in their
well known musical comedy successes.
He was three years with William H.
Crane in '"The Senator" later becoming
the principal comedian with the all-star
stock company of Augustus Pitou. He
was also principal comedian of the Co
lumbia Theater Company In San Francis
co. playing with Blanche Bates, Maxine
Elliott. Frank Worthing Maclyn Ar
buckle Hope Ross and others
He was for number of years with
Charles F'rohman, appearing in Jane"
'Chums" and "Wilkinsons Widows" He
made q three-year tour of the world,
starring in musical comedies, appearing
in "A Runaway Girl as Flipper and as
Ii in "San Toy"
Mr.. Leslie will remain with the Wash
ington company for number of weeks
This week he will appear as Samuel Pine
apple in "A Chinese Honeymoon and
next week in the title role of 1.-The Sultan
of Sulu," the part formerly played by
Frank Moulan.
"a CHINESE HONEYMOON."-"A
Chinese. Honeymoon. Is remembered as