The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-18
WHO'S WHO IN CURRENT PLAYS

With the avowed intention OF forsaking
musical comedy for the legitimate stage
/ Clara Palmer, now the prima donna with
! The Deacon and the Lady" becomes
one Of the most interesting personalities
before the footlights. Miss Palmer is now
filling her last contract as a musical
comedy prima donna. Henceforth the
( stage will welcome her as a dramatic
queen" and the matinee "girlies" and
the sentimental matrons will now prepare
! 10 weep and bestow upon the new aspir-
ant for stellar honors the same halo
which they have generously accorded her
as a prima donna.
] Miss Palmer comes out very seriously
In her announcement to adopt the legiti-
mate stsge. 1t is apparently no joke with
her. why not?" she recently remarked
to some friends. Il have had the best
| training in the world. Musical comedy
offers no advantages 10 ambitious girls
with dramatic instincts beyond the ordi-
nary, so ! am determined TO become a
great actress. and there you are. Miss
Palmer possesses all the qualifications Of
/ a popular prima donna. She is blessed
with a fine singing voice. has a splendid
| personality. and is an actress OF type
long admired in musical comedy. Born
in Buffalo. n. Y, Miss Palmer shortly
afterward was taken to Vienna. Aus
tria. the home OF her mother, where she
| received her early education. which was
entirely in the native tongue
Returning 10 America in her twelfth
year, she was placed IN the Sacred Heart
Convent in Philadelphia, where her edu-
cation was completed. AT an early age
she entered the chorus OF summer
opera company in Philadelphia, in which
capacity she remained for two seasons,
appearing from time 70 time. when
chance presented, as an understudy for
several OF the principals Later Miss
Palmer appeared with much success as
a principal member Of the Augustin
Daily musical comedy company. and
later on with Francis Wilson. James T.
Powers. THE Girl from Kays." and
The Midnight Sons" with which latter
organization she appeared In the role Gre
ated by Lottle Faust. In all the above
Miss Palmer invariably assumed the
Leading roles.
Harry Depp. Of the Three Million Dol
lars Company. last appeared in Wash
ington as the chaperon in The Fair Co
ed" with Elsie Janis His dancing was
one OF the features OF the play
One OF the requisite essentials OF the
smart musical comedy Of to-day is the
juvenile man To wear evening clothes
as II accustomed 10 them. TO talk draw
ing room chatter, 10 walk with the stride
OF an earl. appropriately adjust the tail
hat and the gloves, and enter and exit
with all the decorum OF the well-bred
gentleman, is now considered one OF the
exact requirements. Donald Brian, when
with Little Johnny Jones" set the pace
for this fantastic style OF acting" He
was quickly gobbled up by Henry Saw
age for THE Merry Widow" and nearly
every musical comedy presented within a
year or so has endeavored 10 make this
particular character a prominent fea-
ture. In. securing Fletcher Norton for
the new musical play. The Deacon and
the Lady" Messrs Aaron & Werba have
been particularly fortunate in engaging
one who has long been Identified with
the best Of musical productions. In THE
Deacon and the Lady he is provided
with a role that gives every opportunity
for him 10 sustain the reputation gained
in the past by his prominent association