Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

outps and melodies and emphasized the
funny fall of the comedian with the
thunder OF the bass drum. OF course,
behind this mask of gayety some sorrow
must Turk Miss Glaser's new play with
music, or music with play, as you may
choose to describe it, seems to be Just
one of the Dad boys" that the most
cautions and disciplinary management
cannot prevent from intrudine on a
seasons business and upsettinS calcula-
lions. Watcher it was the March climate
or an auditorium chill that gave the
vivacious star rheumatism, the attack
was surely severe, for the closing of a
theater i'm the midst of a weeks engage
rnent could be accounted for only by
very extraordinary state Of affalrs me
new piece while not conforming TO ira
ditional standards of structure. contained
so much that was Tneritorious in musl-
cal vay that It was entitled to a full
and fair test by the supreme tribunal IN
matters theatrical. the public itself. The
very fact that criticism felt compelled 10
designate it as curiosity or even as a
freak should afford some encouragement
In the recognition of that important quail
NV novelty. A two-headed COW or
dos-faced man could not be accepted as
model specimens among those who might
find them brought up for discussion in a
scientific spirit; but they might easily
invite popular interest to a highly lucra-
five extent. Just One OF the Boys
eould Justly claim the distinction of being
entirely different from anything hereto
fore exhibited to either the press. the
nublic or the crowned heads of Europe.
And surely this is something.
There was an air of dramatic earnest
moss about the play that made the
musical numbers seem like Interruptions
hy the choir with secular music, in the
midst of a sermon. To conform to &C
cepted standards the words and music
should he elevated to a serious operate
spirit or else the dialogue should De
made terse and pungent. The 1ntroduc-
tion OF epigrams would be helpful You
can get them at any book store-Oscar
WiIdes are most in demand, but Roche
foucauld's are best. The play is by Rlaa
Johnson, who has contributed some de-
Eshtful comedies to the stage, but who In
this instance has used mild brand OF
smelling salts where the scenes neeoeo
real ginger. But conformity to accepted
standards would rob the creation of what
q jaded metropolitan taste might find
convincing charm. its right to rank as
something wholly different.
1t has remained for Genee to reveal the
dancer as rival of the singer or the
dramatic Interpreter as a theatric star 1t
cannot be said that the play in which she
appears has conquered the difficulty OF
making her subtle and exquisite per-
formancs, a consistent element of even
fairy plot. But the scenic beauty with
which she is surrounded is SO appropriate
and satisfying frame for the picture she
presents that the comedy incidents may
be taken for what they are worth-and
they are worth many good laughs-with-
out being seriously considered in connec-
ton with the story. If the American stage
afforded any encouragement to panto-
mime as a real art, such as the wonder
full French player Savarin displays, Go
nee would be the daintiest Of Columblnes
that ever futtered across a scene. In a
conventional musical creation she Is like
butterfly in a vegetable garden But she
is none the less butterfly, a sunshine
creature of perpetual grace.
The american Idea is a typical George
Conan . production whose mann OBJECT
saa,os IN no to break the speed laws,
sound the norm anu IdiSt 81 ttu'e. va.
Cohan's productions. though they may
fall short of satisfying serious Ideals. are
10 be commended for their absolute lack
of unpleasant suggestion. They may not
ALWAYS he in the best of taste. but they
are never improper.
PHLANDER JOHNSON.
SIP CHARLES WYNDHAM.-Many
facts are generally known in connection
with the life of Sir Charles Wyndham.
the English actor. but, on the other
hand, there are a few of which the
public at large probably knows nothing
at all That Sir Charles made his nrst
annearance on the stage In America,
tHat his theatrical experience In THIS
country. dates back to 1863, that he was
the FIRST actor in America 10 carry MS
own company when he went on tour
these are a few of the details which
make Sir Charles interesting to Ameri-
cans
as an actor in America. He had been
= surgeon in the Federal army during
the civil war While there he made
the acquaintance of John Wilkes Booth,
the man who later shot President Lin
CoIn through whose influence it was
that Sir Charles received his first pro-
fessonal engagement His flrst appear
ance was at Washington In 1858 as Osric
in Hamlet After about a month In
various insignificant roles. Sir Charles
was dropped from the company. Booth
told him that he was a bad actor. and
had better stick to the army, and Sir
Charles took his advice and returned TO
the ranks in time TO participate in the
battle of Red river.
Several years later, in Manchester,
England. loath to drop what ne was
pleased TO term his chosen career" Sir
Charles again adopted the stage This
time with more success. So much so
that since that date he has continued
in the theatrical profession. In 1869
Lester Walack brought Wyndham back
to this country to be his leading man at
his theater in Union Square. and in 1871
Sir Charles made a third trip here, this
time with his own company. At that
were supported by local stock companies
V.yndham's appearance with his own
company was the first experience of the
sort in America. The success may be
judged by the fact that today there
is not one single instance of the old
method.
MADE A MILLION WRITING PLAYS.
To squander an inheritance in few
years and then to retrieve the time OF
reckless spending with a splendid rec
ord OF accomplishment Is an epitome OF
the career of Henri Bernstein, whose
.Baccarat' Is now adding to the luster
of his reputation In this country, already
bright with the success OF '-The Thief"
Israel and other plays seen on this
side of the water. A veritable Prince
Fortunatus IS Bernstein. and one OF the