Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-04

closing of the stock season AT the Soiuih-
bia Thcater-not the closing OF the the
alter itse.1. for 1t opens Its regular sea-
son next week. but OF the work or the
Columbia Players.
The Belasco has been renovated from
top 10 bottom. despite the fact that II
was In excellent condition from last
season. The entire interior has been re-
touched. preserving the same attractive
red and green color scheme A new
carpet tor the lower floor Is expected in
a few days, and will. of course, be laid
Immediately upon its arrival
The New National. too. has been busy
setting its house in order. Back OF the
stage the dressing rooms have been ie-
mooeled and maue as spotless as new
paper, paint and plumbing can make
them, while q comfortable sum has been
expended Tor stage accessories. Inc m
terror has been refurbisned throughout
AT the Columbia improvements have
been made right along during the sum-
mer the workmen accomplishing tneir
tasks between the stock perfor .hances
A new concrete floor has been lad IN
the stage entrance, and the painting OF
the inferior freshened up. AT the con-
clusion Of the stock performance Sat
uruay evening a small army OF cleaners
will fail TO Tor a general nousecleaning
that may take until Monday morning 10
complete.
That a stock company should essay
the presentation OF play SO exacting as
Tine Servant in the house with but
fhe BRIEF time Tor preparation and re-
hearsal possible in stock work-might
be construed by some as an excellent
Illustration of the old adage concerning
the willingness of fools 10 rush into
places where not even angels dare TO
tread. But, judging from the Columbia
Players production OF that masterpiece
the past week. another construction is
eyident-perhaps angels are sometimes
TOO timiu TO realize their own capabill-
ties.
comparisons are obvious, but not nee
essariiy odious. The original company
playing THE Servant in the House gave
y production OF IL so finished and per-
feet that, the chances are, sucn a one
will never be seen again. Many VINO
witnessed il could scarcely bring them
selves to see II again as interpreted by
went-not to scorf. simply to see. They
femained-not to pray, OF course-but 10
enjoy thoroughly the work OF the Co
lumDia Players. And, moreover, they
forgot about comparing II to the orig
mai production, for what they saw was
convincing. compelling.
BY no means can IL be declared the
equal of the work of the company that
included Tyrone Power and Edith Wynne
Matthison. for that was a labor OF
months. and the recent production of
but a single week. However, ii quite
equaled the production given here by
the road company last year.
Everette ButterieId as Manson ac-
complished the finest bit of work he has
ever offered 10 the Washington pubic,
changing even the tone and volume OF
his voice to suit the part. Blanche Hall
made a natural and impressive wears
wife, despite the handicap OF a hobble
skirt. Paul McAllister as the Drain Man
at times rose to the heights demanded,
and. indeed. merited unfayorable criti-
cism in but one point-at times his die
ton was hopelessly indistinct, owing to
his efforts to truly present the idiom
OF the English cleaner of drains. Edwin
III. Curtis as the Bishop of Lancashire
was satisfactory In every respect in a
part that could easily have been made
ridiculous.
TOO MANY CLOTHEs-In these mod
ern dimes it is not often that woman
complains OF too many clothes, but that
Is said to be the position in which Blanche
Hall. the charming leading lady of the
Columbia Players, found herself. Further
more. 1t Is the reason she decided to
sever her connection with the Los An
geies Stock Company and come east
Miss Hall. It should be remembered, had
been with the company for over five
years. Teveling In parts made famous by
all OF the prominent leading women and
stars In America. During that time she
prided herself upon the care with which
she dressed every part she essayed
whether II called for a calico dress or
the latest creation from Paris
1t IS rule of hers never to wear a
gown In one play that has been seen in
another. AS a result she has amassed a
wardrobe that probably could not be du-
phcated In this country. representing an
expenditure OF many thousands of dol
lars With this enormous stock in trade
on hand-capable OF elegantly costuming
any part that might be assigned her by
q company elsewhere, but unavailable
for further use with the Morosco Com
pany. In view of her determination never
TO dupNcate-Miss Hall severed her con-
nection with the company and sought
green fields and pastures new"
A GRADUATE OF THE wIRE-.Tt is
. good thing to have two strings to your
bow" said William Burress, who Is to be
seen here this week In "Con & Co." IF
! should ever lose out as an actor can
30 back to my trade as telegraph opera
tor. Acting is all right, but IL the tastes
of the public should change and some
sther form of amusement come in, IL is as
ven TO have another way of earning a
nvng' ana my profession is teiegraphy.
On pinch could preach a sermon, for
was intended for the pulpit and was
getting along fairly well as a divinity
student when II became necessary for me
20 shift for myself and I got a job in
railroad Office
My father died when I was an infant
! do not remember ever seeing him. I
was messenger boy in Wheeling w
Va. for the railroad. and earned the
enormous salary of $50 month With
sut realizing II / found that / had picked
~ telegraphy. and then i aspired to be-
come an operator. got the job want
I'd. and when i was seventeen wears old
was an operator on a good wire for the
Nhio Central railroad in Columbus
Jtill chung to my desire 70 become a min
ster. and when there was quiet on the
wires i was always porting over a book
" theology.
FINALLY I was put on the duplex wire
u Pittsburg. which shows that / had
thoroughly learned my business. but
vas not satified and wanted 10 be a train
dispatcher because the salary would be
afgher. With this in view I resigned my
position and went west. landing I'm Duluth.
When ! arrived there Sol Smith Russell
was playing at a local theater and his
,osters were all over the town. I had
always taste for theatricals and had
sad some success as an amateur actor
md so was an easy mark for the alluring
.all of the stage. I put down my grin
md looked at the posters. and forthwith
tecided TO go on the stage. I wired my
mother. and begged her not TO try to dis
yuade me.
My cousin. Marie Burress, a prominent
actress then In Boston, did her best to
persuade me TO leave the stage alone.
ut i had made up my stubborn mind
mo nothing could shake my conviction
hat / was right.
ct met an actor in New York who
istened TO me and told me Of the
haude Granger Company, then organ