The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-01

A gathering of men. women and chill
dren at the corner of Seventh and F
streets northwest last evening about S
o'clock. denoted the fact that something
unusual was happening, and there was
no mistake about it, as last night marked
the opening OF Washington's latest thea
ter, the Casino
Never In this city has a new playhouse
been opened to the public with more
enthusiasm, more success, or with greater
attention to detail Long before the cur
tain went up every seat in the house had
been taken. and standing room was at
q premium.
Continuous vaudeville in Washington Is
not exactly new, but high-class vsude-
Vile, at a price within the reach OF all,
IS an undertaking that marks a new epoch
in entertaining here.
Modern Theater.
The Mayer Amusement Company have
built a modern and thoroughly freproof
structure, and have fitted IL up In an
elaborate style with special attention to
the comfort Of the public The building
was decorated by the Henry Arena Com
ranks with Washingtons best theaters.
The boxes were amassed with flowers
presented to Manager Mayer by his
friends throughout the city, and formed
a pretty background. The boxes were
occupied by the board of directors Of the
Mayer Amusement Company and their
friends. while the ground floor was re-
served for those invited TO attend the
initial performance, the balcony only
being open TO the public
For this reason fully as many people
as were inside had to go away disap-
pointed. because they could not obtain
admission.
Excellent VaudeVin Bill.
Last nights programme embraced many
popular vaudeville artists well known in
this city, foremost among them Gladys
Van and George Lauder. Miss Van. with
her catchy songs that were we'll sung
and her quaint personality. made a real
hit from start to finish and was encored
many times. Her jokes, some new and
some old, also pleased. and she can easily
be said 10 rank as the star of this week 8
bill. George Lauder, the well-known ven
tTiloquist, with his many new characters
songs and up-to-date jokes, was received
almost as we'll as Miss Van, and scored
heavily with his local hits, keeping the
audience IN A good humor.
Rice and Label gave some original feats
of strength and some excellent tumbnng,
and their comedy work was good. Haw-
ley and Mills. monologuists; Frank Bush,
termed The Rapid Fire Jokester;" Rus
sell and Horans' Big City Minstrels; The
Country Choir. and Callan and Niemen.
clever opponents of wooden shoe dancing,
added to a varied and pleasing pro-
gramme. In a clever one-act ay en-
titled 'Brady's Boy" Lavender, Richard
son & Co. gave some good character
sketches.
About O'Clock. when the crowd in the
main entrance became imbued with con-
tagious desire to squeeze through three
foot door fifteen abreast. the doors to the
theater had TO be closed and an extra
detail Of fifteen policemen were kept busy
holding them in check.
1t took the disappointed ones some time
20 realize that it was impossible 10 get
any more people inside and many OF them
stood about until late in the evening.
Many handsome floral pieces were re-
Ceived from friends or Mr. Mayer. They
will be given to the free wards OF the
hospitals.