The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-10

SUNDAY"
CasinO-Vaudevine and Pictures.
The success Of the Belasco roof enter
tainments was almost immediate. Every
one is saying now thas It IS a pity the
idea was not thought Of sooner. II is
certainly most agreeable to sit away UP
high, Ender the stars and be entertained
The Greet Players seldom appeared 10
better advantage than they did IN the
week Just passed. They had the inspira-
ton Of a pleased and comfortable audi
ence. and enjoyed the cool breezes them
selves II is a great boon to the actor
10 play IN such a place as the Beiaseo
roof. With the grease paint and the
heavy costumes, his task within the play
house on a warm evening is attended by
many discomforts.
The play for this week viii be "A Md
summer Nights Dream" This is play
that the Greet Players almost know back
ward. they have played it so often. Mr.
Greet is splendid as Bottom, and George
Vivian's Puck viii be remembered pleas
antiv by those who saw the same COM
pany several seasons back in the Shake
spearean fantasy.
The green bower on the Belasco roof
will be a charming setting for this de-
lightful comedy, and It may be that adj
ditionaI seating capacity VIII have TO be
provided.
It is a fact that people welcome novelty
almost everywhere. Tired OF the hot
theaters and the conventional surround
ings. the patrons OF the Greet Players,
who. by the way. are recruited from the
regular winter clientele OF the playhouse
and not from those who never do any
theater going except in summer. well
coined the change to the extent that both
Manager Taylor and Mr.. Greet are going
around with faces wTeathed IN smiles at
having hit upon something that has COM
pletely caught the fancy Of their pubic
There is apt to be the welcome an
nouneement that the Greet Players will
remain in Washington for an extended
period, instead OF leaving at the end OF
June. as was anticipated.
The Columbia Players enjoyed their
usual prosperity In Miss Hobbs" and
viii attempt comedy tinged with melo-
drama for this week This is a play IN
which Ethe. Barrymore was seen one or
two seasons back. and furnishes good
scope for the various members OF the
Woodworking stock company.
Washington is getting its share Of
midsummer theatricais This is the sea.
son OF the year when theatricaIs all over
the country are at their lowest ebb. This
is the great divide, with one regular
season dead and gone and another loom.
ing up In the future, but not so close as
TO cause anxiety. In a few weeks, OF
around the lit OF August, actors every
where will begin to run over their new
parts and pack up golf sticks. tennis
rackets. and bathing suits and HE them
selves back 10 the Rialto, where con-
tracts viii be sought and signed and re-
hearsals actively begun.
Managerial Offices are already sending
out their fall announcements, and nearly
all OF the producing managers are even
now hard at work on the coming produc-
tions. AS matter Of fact, there is
very ntle real rest for the people who
are connected with the stage. 1t is a
busy life. and those who live it must
keep up with the procession.
The question Of permitting children TO
act is still being extensively agitated,
both in the courts and at the headquar-
tiers OF stageland. This is a matter which
can never be satisfactorily settled. I.
is obvious that child characters are
necessary TO some plays. What would
rip have been, for instance. without
little Meenie and her brother? On the
other hand, there Is a suspicion that fire.
quently children are brought into problem
plays and emotional dramas for the pur-
pose of letting the leading lady blubbel
over them, and thus excite for her q
sympathy she would not otherwise
arouse.
It would not do. however, 10 discrimi-
nate in favor OF certain plays. except tC
bar the appearance of children in bur
lesque shows and unsavory stun OF that
kind, but IN that case it would be JUS
as we'll to expunge the show itself Al
long as the drama is kept clean and the
actors and actresses behave like ladies
and gentlemen, no harm will come Il
children on the stage. II must be a poor
individual indeed who Will willfuIly de
moralize little child. The little ones ar,
safe enough with such players as Francis
Wilson. who is an ardent advocate Of
permitting children to act. but would thu
atmosphere Of THE Lady from Jacks
be regarded as beneficial to them? Their,
were two in the last-named play. how
ever, but. luckily the affair did not sur
viz NWachgu r-fon rraIoov,o
The fact that many Of our best actor
began to act at a very tender age ha
nothing TO do with the present question
OF moral influence. These were simply
survival Of the f1ttest, perhaps. and thei
experiences no guarantee for the Tanl
and file.
II children must be allowed 10 act
and II is clear that they should belle
them be as carefully guarded morally
mentally. and physically as they are il
our homes. Let them be educated prop
erly. clad simply. fed 1udiefously. AM
allowed to develop naturally. Enougl
money should be allowed to permit par
ents or suitable guardians TO be Will
them at all times. and any inclination t
precocity OF conduct should be speedil1
suppressed. 1t is not especially good TO
a child 20 receive adulation and applause
Few can survive It.
AT best the presence Of the child upol