Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01


of theatric purses on several
occasions old 1910 was treated
10 a rousing farewell i'll the country 5
Capital city. .Nftcr number OF futi'e
attempts. Il genuine success was accredis-
cd to the old year Just before the last
leaf was pulled off the calendar.
OF course. Marriage III Carte Will
have to 90 ahead and take its chance
on being a success all over again. The
land is large and growing, and what
appeals to ono community is not certain
10 find unqualified welcome in another
Rut in addition TO the charms of its
star. little Emmy Wehlen, and the droll-
erv of it's dialogue and verse and the
captivating strains which start every
now and then from the musical setting,
it has qualities which should appeal to the
out-of-town buyer and the lobster pal
ace epicure. upon whose approval the
metropolitan fate of production of this
kind must largely depend. Marriage
Ia Carte has Respondent costumes. and
young women to fit them. The produc
ton is a novelty in not seeking to be
audacious. 1t is rest for the eye tha-
has grown weary OF garb Enthusiastically
incomplete. and permits the ear as we'll
the eye TO remain pleasantly I'M
shocked. 1t has ginger but not cay
enne pepper. 1t effervesces gayly with
out leaving a sour taste, and withal it is
smart and modern. Its production seems
fitting holiday relaxation for Leibler &
Co., after its serious labors in launching
q play like Mary Magdaene.' IL was
still too long last night, for there is a
wealth OF material averaging so hign in
bar
musical comedy editor must hesitate to
apply the blue pencil.
The wisdom of Ziegfeld is shown by
his Follies. When new show is desired
al that is necessary is to change the
date line. AS Revue the Foiies pro-
duction does not show any keen satire
on current affairs. The Introduction of
an exceedingly juvenile edition of Speaker
Cannon and piratical effiSy of ex-Presi-
dent Roosevelt at the close OF the per-
formance does not link it very closely
with world events. But it is a big enter
tainment landslide of scenery, cos
TUNES and specialties. Its ingenuity con-
sists chiefly In uansplanting entertain
ment from all sorts of Places into a new
atmosphere and In SO garnisiing and ar
raging it that it will not seem out of
the colored comedian, Bert Williams is
effected smoothly and in a manner which
presents him at his best. He is not an
actor. but an entertainer, and having
contributed the line of work in which he
is truly proficient, he goes his way and
the Kaleidoscope whirls into new fig
ures. Williams has been called come
dian and if the ability to move to-
laughter lie taSr of he
deserves the title. The suggestion which
appeared during his engagement in New
York to the effect that some of our more
celebrated comedians might study him
with profit is misleading. His study of
the fox whom he impersonates might
be compared to Chevaliers coster studies,
and this is high praise. But to intimate
that true comedians, such as William II.
Crane or j. E Dodson or Charles Wynd-
ham, have anything to learn from Bert
Williams is going it rather strong.
Fanny Brice looks like a dscovery-a
comic star of the first magnitude. She
does not create laughter; she is laughter
itself, with every grotesque trick of
speech and gesture in the clowns roper
toire at natural command. If her humor
is as unconscious as it appears to be. it
would be a shame to spoil it by telling
her about it.
To say that the F'ollies show contained
material that pressed the limits of pro-
priety is supererogation. 1t always does.
Just why THE Deserters' is not a more
satisfying play is battling question 1t
has an interesting even though at times
improbable story and the performance OF
Helen Ware undoubtedly deserves to
rank high in the scale of emotional art.
1t will not do to dismiss the play as i'm
possible because it traverses improbable
ground in reaching its ciimaxes. Good
acting has helped many d play over the
rough and difficult passages at which
credulity balks. \ signal instance was
The Witching Hour" There are roles
In The Deserters" which fttingly might
employ talents almost equal to Miss
Wares own. But she is left TO carry
important scenes scantily assisted. Tire
story Is the frankest sort of fiction. 80
that the natter-offact personality Of
the leading man, Mr.. Caldara, however
suitable IL world be To a coldly, veracious
portrayal OF soldier life, is not at home
in this atmosphere of irresponsible
romance. The confession OF the muir
derer, which might be led up to with
artistic finesse. is brought out too blunt
~ to seem anything but i plot expedient
The Deserters' proved interesting and
afforded Miss Ware new and brilliant
opportunities. 1t lacked the polish of
Workmanship needful to make it a fitting
vehicle for all emotional actress of Miss
Wtre'ssesl.yE
~ 'S@i PHILANpER JOHNSON
4LHbsss fF1TCH'S START. William
CNde Fitch. who wrote the sensational
pl8y 9f The City" was born in Elmira
NJ Y, May ., 1866. His father, Capt.
William Goodwin Fitch. was an officer
in3 the Union army in the civil wal.
Ifs mother. Alice Clark. was "A member
OF an old Hagerstown family. The meet
inf or the two, the Union officer and the
daughter Of the Confederacy. in the war.
ana their romantic courtship and mar
riage furnished their only son with IL
theme for one of his plays. The family
lived for some years I'm Hartford, Conn.,,
where the boy attended the public schools
and later entered Amherst College
Billy Fitch was the name under which
his college days We're lived. He already
had written number of short stories
and in college Immediately became inter-
ested in the work of the dramatic or
Tanizations.
He took part in the senior class dra-