The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-23


The observation-disclosures.
The stage owes a debt Of gratitude to
Henry Miller. If this manager had
never given US the long line of STAGE por-
traits with which he is credited or, In
fine, had never done aything else but
give US THE Servant in the House and
1.-The Great Divide" he would still be far
in the van of the average American
manager. In making it possible for the
native stage to count two such important
milestones IN its progress he has made
himself an enduring monument.
The Great Divide" with It's intense
atmosphere of two Numerically opposing
phases Of American life, is a play which
comes perilously close TO being the great
American play for which we have come
10 look as eagerly as the children Of Is
rael sought the promised land. So far IL
is on points about the best of represent
alive native dramas. The only drawback
to its being crowned is the old, old
theme, which is of no nation or people,
but Of the universe.
"The Servant in the House." which we
had again the privilege and pleasure of
viewing, is by an English author and has
English characters, but It was produced
by an American manager and will be
ever associated with Mr.. Miller and a
tribute to HIS belief in the taste Of our
people for the higher things Of dramatic
literature.
Both of these plays viii last for all
time, after thousands now passing and
repassing in review have been lost to
memory. AS they take their places in
American stage annals. high up among
the topmost, there should be emblazoned
on their records in letters no less con-
spicuous than those spelling Charles
Ram Kennedy and William Vaughn
Moody, the name of Henry Miller.
After a week divided between Ben
Hur" and the grand opera, two engage
ments which must have necessarily kept
many regular theatergoers at home-be-
cause they had seen ''Ben-Hur" and the
grand opera was beyond the average
purse-there was a generous attendance
at the two musical comedies, with their
hosts Of pretty chorus girls and good,
wholesome fun.
The Three Twins served at least to
Introduce TO US a new comedian, and one
who does not rely upon grease paint and
horse play to score his points. Reference
is to Clifton Crawford, whose methods
were so unique as to be positively re-
freshing. Those who heard him recite
realize that ne is a splendid actor also.
It seemed as though the large audiences
at the National never would get enough
of THE Yama Yama Nan" and clever
Wayne Gehrue or the "Cuddle Up a Lit
tie Closer song, which. though it pre-
coded THE Three Twins" to Washing
ton by about a year and a half. was
nevertheless a prime favorite.
Jefferson De Angels has a worthy We
hicle in The Beauty Spot" a musical
comedy considerably above the average.
AT Chase's "Chevalier' simply turned
them away, as the vernacular will have
Il. so that altogether the theaters were
well patronized during the week just
passed and the patronage was welI-de-
served in every instance.
The support given to Hammers Sym
pLony Orchestra has not been such as to
reflect honor upon Washington's ability
to appreciate and support good music
Herr Hammer has given his time and
money toward creating a musical or
ganization which is second to none; GER
tainly his conducting is of the highest
possible artistic nature. AS an inter
prefer Of Beethoven he is absolutely a
master.
Herr Hammer has put his whole heart
into giving Washington classical music
and deserves loyal patronage. The
Beethoven cycle is a real musical treat
and one which has been wholly satsfac-
tory from an artistic standpoint, and
each concert an occasion OF rare delight.
The programme notes of Herr Hammer
explanatory Of the various symphonies
are of extraordinary educational value
and show him to be a musician of tech
meal ability as we'll as artistic tempera-
ment.
The new Casino Theater in F street,
near Seventh street. viii open on the 21st
instant The house is TO be coy and
conducted on a liberal plan, and will Of
fer something new to this city, namely.
continuous vaudeville" The appoint
ments Of the theater are most attractive,
and the best grade Of patronage IS to be
catered TO.
Striking Realism.
The curtain goes down upon the ocean
steamship scene in "A Fool There Was"
with Robert Hrliard. as the man look
ing with mingled fascination and disgust
into the eyes of the vampire woman.
The hoarse blasts Of the whistle boom
out warning for all visitors to go
ashore. It is real whistle. precisely
like that used by the biggest ocean lin
ers. and it fills the theater with an al
most prophetic note Of warning that
mans soul is about TO be cut aloof from