Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22

SINNERS new play. arose In
pronouncing it's title. The
French pronunciation wouio
sound like "sere," which Immediately sug-
rested 1.-The yellow leaf and a spirit Oh
autumnal sadness entirely out or place
whore q new play of sprightly purport
ras concerned. The English form OF the
word. which was adopted, brings up 'he
,bra.roIory of the turf Where there is
q Giro there must be a dam. and the I'M
,u,sa To add the final objurgatory N Is
almost irresistible In estimating the
-, :, Tho NAV as a vehicle for Mr..
skinner Il is not necessary to go mucn
haro,d the slight intellectual strain
which word play on the title involves.
In a vay sire" is a bold novelty:
farce with a historic background. but
the devotion OF a rich middle-aged iady
10 a kinsly family wholly bereft of polltl-
raj pull is scarcely theme to be sym
patheticaliy understood in this country.
The history is too much subordinated 70
claim the attention of students and the
farce is interrupted by sentlmentaiities
no less exotic than the important charac-
ters of the story Even the spirit OF
aeyil-may-care comedy which at times IS
made delightful BY the personality OF
he star is annihilated by the denouement
which ruthlessly turns the jovial nero
rver TO a small but atrocious gang OF
,om,c opera assassins. What they do
with him is not made clear whether
they sing to him, or continue to make
nind-wrecking grimaces at him, or merely
shoot him is not indicated. But 1t is GER
ain that his end is terrible
Mr.. Skinner is a fine actor-a leader
II the modern opponents OF vfrlfe
romance-and it is a disappointment to
ind his talents employed in the repre-
.entation OF the merely bizarre.
In addition to being a delightful little
,peretta, "The Chocolate Soldier" is
striking example of the irony OF fate.
rhe late Richard Mansfield recognized
he value of Arms and the Man and
,layed it with his choicest art. The pub
lie was not as appreciative as Mr.. Mans
field was, but the auditorium's lnolIfer-
,nce did not alter the distinguished play
RS opinion OF the worth of Shaw's WORK.
His approval could not have been innu-
.nced by friendly prejudice. for he once
said: Good plays l must have; put
why. oh. why do they have to be written
oy George Bernard Shaw" Shaw at
ais best, interpreted by the most eminent
actor and producer of his time. looked IN
rain for a popular Endorsement OF Arms
md the Man. The humor was OF the
,ame subtle sort that has since made
,im the rage. and the Mansfield method
II expressing it was the embodiment OF
whimsical wit Now it comes with q
waltz theme and in the guise or a mod
,rn musical show-one from which the
,elf-appreciative sensibilities of Shaw
must shrink-and makes hit comparable
o that of 1.-The Merry Widow" IL
George Bernard Shaw loves this work 1t
must be for the royalties 1t brings MIN,
or the comedy relapses frequently into
he obvious stage joke, hard boiled and
ndigestible, and the production involves
lancing of the sort in which determine
ion and art experience take the place OF
issome spontaneity.
Yet its deficiencies must be forgotten
n the contemplation of its merits. The
music. interpreted by the big orchestra
inder the Novellis baton. is charming. but
II spite OF the pervasive waltz theme,
which gets away from the old German
,ong "Du Liegst Mir in Herzen'' just in
lime to escape conviction on the charge
" "Reminiscences, its melodic graces have
,een equaled in many less successful
productions.
The poet of the enterprise, Stanislaus
STANCE, who bravely undertakes to write
any sort OF a stage piece that may be
desired, provided only that 1t has been
written before, contributes no new spar
tie 10 the thought. and the favor which
attends the production must be attrib-
lted TO Shaw himself. The figure Of
the dashing young officer who def1es
conventions. and. while the very embodi-
ment OF a sneer. becomes humanity adj
mirable because the sneer Is genuine, Is
he animating principle OF the dainty
and charming creation which arises from
The dust OF failure to make one OF the
brightest notes in the sunbeam OF cur
-ent success. Mr.. Farleigh. who plays
he title role. IS a remarkable and for
tunate figure in the cast. in that he pre-
sents the rare combination OF ability to
ling an exacing musical part well and
1t the same time to interpret the deli
sate shades of humor on which the dra-
matte interest depends.
THE Travelling Salesman has attained
! prosperity far beyond the promise OF
q original production in this city. Some
,lays are written, others are rewritten,
md II Is q fortunate comedy which. after
| poor start finds the city of its birth
'eady TO say. as Washington says to
The Travelling Salesman: "All Is for
given. Come back as often as you like"
PIIILANDER JOHNSON.
AN EMINENT VAUDEVILLE STAR
Elita Proctor Otis, Chase's chief star this
week, comes OF staid old Brooklyn
Heights. y. Y. stock. Her penchant for
he stage led her into participation in
many amateur dramatic performances for
charity. Augustin Daily witnessed one of
member OF his Broadway stock company
II the time II was composed Of Ada
Rehan. John Drew, Otis Skinner and
thcr stage lights OF nowadays. Miss Otis,
wing to her commanding physique. was
.eserved for heavy roles. and assumed the
eading part in number OF the comedy
iramas with which Mr.. DAILY was wont
o vary his annual repertoire OF comedies.
A CIRCUS sUCcEss-John Agee. the
equestrian director and daring rough rider
,f the Royal and Adams indoor circus.
which has been exhibiting the past week.
inder the auspices OF Almas Temple of
he Mystic Shrine. at Convention Hall.
md whose exhibitions will be continued
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after
Moons and evenings, has made a rapid