Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11
ease with which fault may
be found is proverbial and en-
terprises Of the theater are es-

pecia,iy liable to pessimistic at
tentions. The very sfighfness
of the actors responsibility for the vel
fare of the civic system invites careless
consideration of his efforts, and the man.
aeer IS equally at the mercy OF unchar1-
table comment Indeed, he has nttie
fight to ask for charity. for the Amer
lean public permits him such latitude that
II he fails to please II Is through want
Of discernment and not because OF any
limitations imposed. There is no "cruei
hiss or brutal boo in this patient land.
II an auditor finds offense on the stage NC
aumbiy submits, and contents himself
with advising his friends to avoid the
performance. This forbearance leads. no
soubt. to a feeling of managerial con-
fort and security, but its effect Is not
wholesome, for patience abused leads to
sither wrath or contemptuous Indifference,
and the public has too much on its mind
20 get into a serious fret over it's even
ng's entertainment.
Let's go to the theater, used to be
the off-hand way in which arrangements
were made for the leisure hours after
dinner 4 playhouse whose policy was
known could be selected without very
exact information as to the author or the
company. Even when great emotional
stars appeared as Camille or in some
other role of the same vast dramatic
sisterhood .he diction would be that of
refinement and the moral influence open
TO argument. When new systems OF
booking introduced wide variations in
The seasons list for any single theater.
the playgoer might, by acauainting him.
self with the names ard policies Of pro-
sucinS firms. secure in advance All idea
~ whether his theater party should he
made up in his family circle or at his
.lub. A Frohman production meant clean.
sparkling comedy and could not by any
chance be confused with Ziegfeld revue.
An actress who played dignifed and low
lble types could be depended upon con-
istently as model of department and
Is the exponent of sentimentallsm
which yielded the strictest respect to
he conventions of society. Jack Cade
md Jack Shepard were required to re-
main in theaters whose trade mark was
'melodrama," and would never have
f1ought of getting into evening clothes
md breaking into the society which has
,een persuaded to accept "Raff1es' and
Alias Jimmy Valentine
The appearance of Ethel Barrymore
n a play like Channel is bold
experiment. at the expense of one Of
lie most devoted clienteies that an
American actress has ever gained. Miss
Barrymore established confidence among
he heroine worshipers by her perform
.nce in Captain links" and Carrots
md other plays. which with propriety
night be described as well as seen. With
star like Mrs. Patrick Campbell, who
las frankly adopted the woman with
,ast into her repertory. >Mid-Channer
souId have called together an audience
prepared for the lines Of discussion
which the author SO frankly pursues.
SUIT the reputation Of Miss Barrymore
md the theme of "AIid-ChanneP are
wholly at cross purposes. and the re-
ult is discordant There are as many
rood plays of all sorts produced now as
heretofore. but the patron, unless he has
,een at more than usual pains to in
orm himself, does not know exactly
where to look for them.
merely needs ella ssificat
One of tie best plays OF the season is
THE Country Boy" The old painter who
Aid he wasted no time looking for sub
ects. but went out and painted the first
hing he saw, has disciple in the author
II this play, who, without attempting
my exploring expeditions TO the tropics
u luxury or to the poles OF poverty, mas
:iven a studious and sympathetic Por-
rayaI of what lay close at hand he ap-
lies a fine perception of detail to the
crutfny of a social region somewhere De-
ween the palaces of the multi-milllonalre
nd the PARK benches: region CT endless
docks of brownstone front houses with
sights Of steps leading to Railways
yhich open into parlors, each Win an
immense looking glass between the pair
windows in the front. IL Is the re-
ion in which pay in advance Is Tue
ule. with no offense meant or taken;
nc great middle ground. from when
ONE Journey upward toward the pal
ce and others toward the park bench
The Country Boy" shows the jour
l~v both ways--not al of IT, but enough
% be interesting and amusing, and, II
GU chance to be inclined that way
,hilosophically suggestive.
The author of The Country Boy by
he way, is entitled to a vote OF thanks
rom the Press Club for being the first
4 current plsywrights to present stage
.ewspaper man who is neither mounte-
iank nor a pumpkin.
Judy Forgot is another full portion
4 musical comedy, in which Marie Ca
ill sings comic songs well and goes
.fter some operate measures with grea.
ortitude. There is a constant now OF
.enial chatter from Miss Cahill, some
hing like that with which that irresist-
bic improviser, the late Pete Daley,
lsed TO amuse his audiences. Judy
forgot has a story which might have
;ept fine company of players well en-
hoyed had ii been worked out az a COM
dy. AS a musical vehicle it is a pre-
EXT for bringing the quantity unusual
,ersonality OF Miss Cahill into uninter-
upted prominence. and as such proves
minently satisfactory to her numerous
.dmirers. PHILANDER JOHNSON.
STAGE BUSINESS OF FIFTY YEARS
AGO.. f. Dodson sometimes enjoy
alking of his early stage training in
England. He relates the experiences OF
well known actress of her day, with