The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-03

White sister"
The New NationaI-W. H. Crane I'm
Father aud the Boys"
The Column bia-GeOrge Evans and
His Honey-bOy Ministries.
Chase'S - Denmnn Thompson in
"Joshna WhItcomb."
The Aeademy-'In Old Kentucky
The CaSinO-ConfinuOuk Vaudeville.
The Gayety-Buriesque.
The observation-disclosures.
The English humorist continues to turn
out brilliant comedies, and the American
humorists continue to make jokes based
on said Englshman's obtuseness. That
is about the situation, and if the latter
would abandon for an interim the use of
the perfunctory gibe and try the effect
of satire, the American stage might not
have to look almost entirely toward Al
bion's Cliffs for its lighter form of vehicle,
This is the case. however, we regret 10
state. as nearly all of the actable and
effective comedies that have ever appeared
on the American stage have sprung from
that fountain head.
Penelope was another shining example
OF the superiority above mentioned, Leav-
ing out of the question altogether the fine
acting of the company and the personal
popularity of the star, the play itself was
edifying. so far as could be discovered
without recourse to the imagination-not
single thing present that could even rufile
the sensibilitles Of good taste. While the
comedy at times approached the farcical,
there was no Invitation offered for clown
ing. There was clear moral pointed
TO, also: and taken altogether the play
was very delectable.
Lucy Daily was. pretty nearly the whole
show at the Academy last week. The
oolnedienne belongs to distinguished
family of players and certain facial re-
senlblance and mannerisms remind the
spectator of the lamented Dan DAILY, who.
for decade, was one OF the leading fun
makers of our stage. Lucy Daily is versa
tile and clever. Without possessing the
vesuge of voice, she talks and acts her
songs and gives them piquant interpre-
tatf5n.
THE Promoters with Ward and
Vokes, has the merit Of being both clean
and funny. Lew Kelly is a comedian
who viii be heard from. The stars are
not as amusing as they used to be, but
their activities are undated. There was
plenty Of action in the musical comedy,
and down to and including Casey, the
dog. the cast was composed of capable
people
The helplessness OF the local manage
ment in the face of the present booking
system for theaters was evident during
the past week in the case Of the Column
bia Theater. Mr.. Fred Berger is a resi-
dent Of Washington, and looks upon the
clientele Of his playhouse as neighbors
and friends. The last thing that he would
wish TO do is TO give offense TO his
patrons and fellow-townspeople.
Yet willfully indecent play was shown
at the Columbia Theater So far as the
local manager was concerned, the trans
action was "a pig in poke" If the
people connected with the show had not
gotten busy after Mondays opening and
carefully expurgated the lines, there
would have been ample justification on
the part of Mr.. Berger for closing his
house
Fortunately, the unanimity Of press and
public brought TO the exploiters a sense
Of the enoTmity of their offense, and for
the Washington engagement at least
there was a revision. OF course, the sug-
gestive plot of the story could not be
eliminated, there would have been no
no f..fs
hang the leading lady's expensive ami
much-advertised wardrobe.
As matter of fact. 10 intelligent and
cultured people, this sort of thing is
more than stupid-it is lamentable Ac-
cording to the degree Of avidity with
which man viii devour unwholesome
fare may be gagged his breeding and
refinement. The French playwrights have
long ago exhausted all the means of pro-
voking laughter by wholesome humor. and
we are in danger of the same fate
To hold the most sacred relations ND
to ribald jest and make mockery of
sentiment is not in accordance with re-
fined ideas of amusement. To wink and
leer and grimace is a travesty on art, and
yet capable and sincere actors are
obliged to do these things in order to ac-
centuate the meaning of the lines and
satisfy their employers.
1t is 10 De hoped that Broadway will re-
jet this show as vigorously as did Wash
ington The better class of New York
ers are foes to the tendencies developed
by certain portions of that city and GER
tain Of its inhabitants and visitors.
The New Orleans Grand Opera Com
pany has made many friends as the result
of its short season in Washington and
while the engagement was limited eight
different operas were sung, which gave
ample opportunity TO become thoroughly
acquainted with the capabilities of the
company.
The most popular opinion seems to be
that they are simply a Woodworking
stock opera company, with no frilIs or
high-pr1ced stars, conductors or stage
managers. No comuarison could or
should be drawn between them and the
Hammerstein forces. who occupied the
Belasco for a short while in January
but since "Lakme,' LES Huguenots "
William Tell" and sManon Lescaut"
may be considered in the light of novel.
ties, there was a chance for beginners in
grand opera going to familiarize them
selves with some scores besides those of
the usual operate repertoire. It is this
same thing that makes Mr. Hammer
STEMS success, and his efforts at import
ing novelties have given impetus for the
Metropolitan people. who until Hammer
ssein competition were for the most ppart