Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-07


wv the rows between rival the
atrical managers and pro-
aucers. except In so far as 1t may pront
nv having a season of first-class attrac-
tIons bv frst-ciass companies and at
nr,ces that are reasonable and within
reach of its theater-going public. Its
local managers know its public sentiment
and can always be depended upon TO
cater 10 that sentiment SO far as 1t is
In their power.
But the rows in rival camps might
easily become locally interesting II they
lead to conditions that will force the pro-
duction in this city each week OF the
amusement season of theatrical and ope-
ratio entertainments only which are In
keeping with the culture, refinement and
taste of the capital of tho nation.
Therefore the rows, big or little, among
the producing element in New YORK ana
elsewhere are only followed, II at all, DIV
those who are curious to see what they
will mean for the new Washington sea-
son. Announcements by the numerous
producers OF dramatic attractions are
very alluring, and limitations tnat Tor
this or that reason some big Giles are TO
be entered in tents with movable platforms
lead TO the hope that with the Splendld
houses available here Washington VIII
not want u single week in any or them
ought 10 have by all the laws OF reason
justice and good taste.
Word comes from New York that re-
cent reaIignments in the vaudeville world
may bring good things to the Smalier
theaters OF the capital Managers Bry
lawski and Mayer speak IN cohnuenl
tones of their new alliances and tnelr
possibilities All of these, if fulfilled, Will
mean a decided gain TO Washington play
goers, even the humblest OF them
Rlancba Hall the new Columbia lead
ing woman. has started in Splendldly
Even the popular little Billie Burke might
have been tempted to be jealous OF last
weeks production of her play, Love
Watches" if she ever could be anything
but what is real nice, lovabie ana Charm
ing.
A GLIMPSE OF BLANCHE HALL
Those who are privileged to know lh'l-
nately the little leading woman of the
Columbia Players, who has given so much
delight during the past week In a play
that breathes the very soul and spirit
Of Billie Burke, say that II was not arr
alone that enabled Miss Blanche HAL 10
score so quickly with those VINO Were
Ioath to part with her predecessor, 1uia
Dean They say Miss Hail CHIEF cIlarh4
IS her genuine WCmanlinesS- she Is
woman OF school that Is salo 10 DC i'-t
- the present Gay and generation There
IS nothing OF VANITY, eSotiSfn OF al OK
aggersted notion OF her own Importance
~ Miss Hall, say her frienos. -
Miss Hall says she old not auoFt tiic
stage as q profession because she was
stage STRUCK" but simply as the result
Of an unavoidable contact with IL. ier
sister, Jessie May Hall, Is Well known III
the theatrical world. and. II was with iiet
companies that Miss Hall first gained hef
theatrical experience.
OF strong and steady purpose and with
an indonitable will to put through sila.
she once begins, Miss Hall soon Iouhu
that as she was on the stage, whether
from choice or not, the best thing TO 90
was to perfect herself for the profession
which was daily becoming more dGlraEliEe
as It's obstacles became more olIncuit 10
her And she won out beautifully, say her
friends, just as she did when she mace up
her mind to build in California, the l4ho
Of bainy air and flowers, the nome 'ha'
was to be hers all hers, when the cares
of life gave her the leisure to enjoy IL
Il was always handicapped with my
stature" said Miss Hail in a recent III
teryiew Somehow whenever L aSplfed
TO & great part my aspirations We're al
ways more or less tempered by the De
lief that I was just few inches snort
Of what / should be. / could play the
young girl and the grown-up woman in
Prince Chap but the role CT Aaza
seemed beyond my reach
Finally the opportunity came ard Mr.
Frohman and MI BelaSco let me play
'ZaZa.' not 'Zira,' as has been said, for
season. / had also some starring expert
ence in Glover, and with Mr.. Edeson
In Soldiers of Fortune in which L took
Mrs. Blossoms part when she was COM
PEELED to retire by Ill health
But l loved California and l wanted
to stay there. l wanted to build myself
a home there and 1 did with my own
earnings. No. there isn't a husband out
there or anywhere else that | can lay
claim to. nor was there ever one.
my tastes are very domestic. love
20 hD,- bod 10 nf
Yes, l read whenever / get the chance.
but / do not go in for heavy books. I
love Barrie just as / love plays that are
light and sweet and full Of heart interest.
Is IL heresy to say I really never aspired
10 Shakespeare? 1t is a fact. | have
desired TO shine neither as Juliet. as
Rosalind as Lady Macbeth.
''I love the simpler. human plays that
grow out of the life of our day and gen.
erauon-ard. yes. / love the romantic age
as we'll. Yet l have played all sorts OF
parts The fact that they kept me for
Eve years in Los Angeles. ffty-two weeks
in the year, playing first one thing and
then another and that they still stand
with outstretched arms to me when am
ready 10 return. gives me hope that l
have that talent the existence OF which
/ doubted in the beginning.
I'VE used to try out many plays for
Mr.. Erohman and Mr.. BelaSco the
coast And our company, Of which Mr.
Frawlev was once a member. won the
people from the big road attractions and
held them the year round. Many plays
that afterward became noted under other
names had their premier production by
our California stock company. And We
used to get the big plays as soon as they
were released. many of them long before
the stock companies of the east and the
middle west got them.
do I love music? Very much and I
sing a little. but do not play Sports?
love good swim and I can take care
Of myself in the water. l love to ride
too, but more the horse than the gasoline
or electric monster.
"No, I am not phenomenal in any sense
have no sensational incidents I'm nv ca
reer. IL has Just been sweet old sail
on the ocean OF life. with here and there
a squat. I hope. Of course, some day 10
be a great actress but my fear Is always
that my years will pile up uncomfortable
large before reach my goal Yet am
keeping on.
NO, 7 shall not go back to California
for whole year # I can help it be-
good TO me these five years deserve a rest
and vet they tell me TO come come
whenever 7 will the sooner the better.
'I think Washington is a beautiful CITY.
am proud OF the opportunity to play
here and very happy at the generous
reception given me the past week shall
he so happy II your people like me- I
like them very, very much and will do my
hest 10 please them I'm the limited time
that lies before me-"
II Miss Hall vet really falls short Of he
ing great she is ar least genuine There