The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-06

I he passing OF Ci4uc Fitch leave
great gap in the ALREADY
small coterie Of American PLAY
wrights
Without founding school OF acting
without being literary genius, without
becoming the leader OF any cult. Mr.
Fitch attained place in the FIRST rank
4 OF latter-day dramatisfs. He did This
because he was a master OF stagecraft.
He was the Nelson AldrIch Of the stsre
and, like the tariff general, held his
position because he knew more than
almost anyone else about the technical
details Of his subject
The majority of Fitch's plays we're
constructed as II by rule and measure
but escaped being machine-made. He
brought into use details of stage sym
oolism that have been copied far and
wide. His effects were gained by
multitude of details, not By the big fea-
lures that made David Belasco famous.
In fact, he was probably Belasco's equal
In his knowledge Of stagecraft, but
failed to approach the latter in orig
inality.
Not his productive genius. but> his
skill in adapting plays from other Ian
suaSes brought him much OF his fame.
In this field he has been Of greater val
ue TO the American stage than has been
generally recognized. These adapta-
tionsS for the most part. we're not per-
formed as hack work in many cases
they gave English-speaking playgoers
rare enjoyment they might otherwise
| have missed.
The Columbia Theater has achieved
the distinction Of being the first play
mouse IN washington to carry an ad in
the columns Of the Sunday papers the
year round. without emitting single
Manaser Fred G. Berger. Of the Co
lum6ia Theater. is expected back this
Edward Everett, who has arrived in
the city in the interests OF the Al n.
Wilson company. IS among the first OF
ance.
The coming series of travel talks By
Fred Niblo at the Columbia Tneater viii
cover five Sunday evenings
Frank Metzerott. president Of the Co
lumbia Theater Company, is touring
New England, but viii return TO Wash
inEton IN time for the opening OF the
regular Columbia season
Although Laura Burt has been for
years on the English stage previously
she played in this country creating the
leading feminine role in In Old Ken
lucky"
s.
Frederick Remington, illustrator OF
the wild West of the time when former
President Roosevelt was a rsncher, aid
ed in staging the Kid Gabriel act at
Chase's.
viii be remembered as the British sc-
tor who came 10 this country with the
late Henry Irving and made a pleasing
impression as the son IN '-RobeSpierre -
Lew Hawkins. is one OF the many
grand old mem of minstrelsy-
When the first lot OF their produc-
lions is under way. Klaw & Esrianger
and Joseph Brooks will bring out
play destined TO attract more than pass
ing attention Il IS the first dramatic
utilization OF the san Francisco earth
quake and fire. Against this background
Gertrude Andrews has put forth a DOW
eTful story called Through a Window
and will introduce Miss Mary Bertrand
a Western actress OF note, in a role
that is a departure in stage characteri-
cation.
Lillian Russell opens her season Al
Springfeld. Mass, September 10 in Ed
m Illr56 DAYS Pay comedy Of modern finance.
performances the new piece comes 20
the Liberty Theater. New York The
comedy is now in its final rehearssls.
Fannie Ward win arrive in America
this week She viii be seen in a new
play, as yet unnamed, by Forrest Hal
sey and Cosmo Hamilton.
The Round Up opens its season in
Boston on Labor Day.
The Barrier" Eugene Presbrev,s
dramatizstion Of Rex Beach's novel. is
in rehearsal. Theodore Roberts Will
play the part Of John Gale Frank Sber-
Rockwell will play the leading feminine
role.
RehearSaIs have begun OF The Sill
yer star" the play in which Adeline
Genee and Bickel and Watson will ap-
pear this season. Miss Genee will ar
rive in this country this week
A special train viii carry the Little
Memo company and production to Syr-
ascuse. where it Will open the tour OF
the musical comedy during fair week
More than $50 players are in the cast
George NJ. Cohan's genius for quick
fire musical entertainments presenting o
lGeTy wl:irlwind OF song and dance com
edy Is best eXemplified in ''The Ameri-
can Idea. which, with TriSie F'riSanzs
Aii the AesttlANE EVies VIII MAKE a TOUR OF
the big cities beginning early in Septem-
Der.
The reheaTsalS Of Blanche Ring in
George V. Hobart and Sylvio Helms new
musical comedy. The Yankee Girl. are
taking place daily AT the Broadway The
alter, New York, underNhe direction OF
Ned WaybuTE, Mr.. Hobart. the author,
and Lew Fields. under whose direction
Miss Ring is TO appear IN the new piece
Sam Bernard under the direction OF
the ShUbertS. opened his season Al
Hartford, Conn, In The Girl and the
Wizard a comedy with music in TIVE
acts and four scenes, BY J. Hartley
Manners Julian Edwards wrote tie
music.
Bert Williams viii be seen this season