The Washington herald., 1911-07-09
NEWS AND GOSSIP OF THE THEATER WORLD
.-HE sndden denise last wednes-

ts Gay GAlerlOOn OI Nnc cA1AittSA
stock company at the Belasco
: - was the elimination or a series
bf nisfortunes that had marked nea-ly
every week Of this organizations nl-fated
season. Sudden Illness and other tricks OF
an unkind Providence were not, however,
the sole causes of the final collapse of
the Vagabonds. Poor judgment in the
selection of plays and woeful lack OF
coordination and cooperation among the
players operated materially toward the
company's final disruption.
To place the responsibility for the judg-
ment that selected such plays as Peter
Pam ''The Christian" and The MerT
chant of Venice" for sunAmer-stock pres
citation an understanding of the COM
pany's business Organization is neces-
sary. Charles Hopkins, a reputedly
wealthy young Philadelphian, was the
organizer and financial mainstay OF the
company. His association with the stage
was limited to q brief experience with
the Ben Greet Shakespearean Players
and his marriage with Miss Violet Wv
ian a capable young actress. Mr.. HOP
kins wanted to play important roles ana
was willing to pay for the privilege HIS
qualifications as an actor, OF broad char
acter roles are undoubted, but he is not
10 be taken seriously in the leading parts
of plays that are suitable for summer
stock exploitation.
Hopl,ins performance of the young
: Prince in "OId Heidelberg convinced ms
associates in the enterprise OF the neces-
sity for hasty kilograms to New YORK lor
a new leading man. Henry mortimer
who had gained quite following IN TINS
, city during his few weeks win the
Columbia Players, was brought Gown.
0 He PLAYED John Storm in THE Chrlstan
the following week, but the play iaileo
10 interest Washington theatergoers.
It's old-fashioned bombast ana cneap
sentiment are not for modern cohsump-
tion-and vet it is but little more than
ten years old.
The following week a happy selection
was made in THE Lottery Man, ana
but for the fact that the company taheu
TO lend itself to the vivacious spirit Oh the
farce-one of the evidences of the lack
of team s51nEk that marked all OF TINS
organizations presentations-the tnree
unhappy weeks preceding might have
been forgotten by the public and the
compapy's reputation made.
Whatever impetus the Vagabonds had
gained nv the presentation of this lively
farce was lost the following week, when
Hopkins insisted on the departure Of Mr..
Mortimer and his own temperance In
the cast Three new players were
brought on from New York, and Tire
lawny Of the Wells was presented. The
play was well put on, and the Nsgabonos
gave their best performance of the sea-
son. but the comedy was not a strong
drawing card, and the several changes
in the cast and appearance OF new play
ers acted as a deterrent to the pubic.
Then. too, the Illness Of Fuller Mellish
on the opening night, necessitating the
appearance in his place of Lionel Bel
more. manuscript in hand, made an un-
favorable impression that could not be
overcome.
The last hope was gone when IF i
Were King had to be abandoned, and
the unhappy selection of The Merchant
of Venice was made in its place. Inter
est was revived for a moment by the
announcement of Willard Holcomb's
Lorna Doone'' for the following week
but when Percy Standings inability to
learn his part caused a postponement Of
the opening performance from Monday
to Tuesday, and on Tuesday night Hol-
comb himself had to appear in an i'm
portant role vice Hopkins, who was
stricken by the heat, il was all over but
the interment. The final obsequies were
held Wednesday. Just before the pros |
pective matinee, when Percy Standing |
failed to appear at the theater and sent
a note in explanation, protesting illness.
From its inception and the unfortunate |
choice of the name, Vagaponds, down to |
Its final hours, the history Of the Belas- |
co stock company of 1911 is an endless
chain of misfortunes and misdirected
zeal. Requiescat in pace.
Meanwhile the Columbia Players con-
tinue to appear before capacity audiences.
There is no evidence OF lessening interest
in this estimable organizations offerings, |
and in all likelihood the Players will pro-
long their season until the theater's reg
ular bookings force an adjournment until
next spring. The attraction this week is
q stirring melodrama OF Alaskan life,
THE Barrier" dramatized from Rex
Beach's popular novel Of that name.
Friends OF A. c. Mayer, the former |
Of the Casino, will be interested |
In the announcement that he is to be the
active manager OF the Lyceum Theater
this coming season. Eugene Herman. for
so many years in active charge OF the
bid burlesoue house, will not retire, but |
has decided that younger man should
undertake the greater share Of the man
agerial burdens. The Lyceum will con-
tinue to book the offerings of the EN-
pire circuit. Mr.. Mayer has not severed
mis- connection with the Casino entirely,
Is he is stir heavily interested in that
property. ERA
Luna Park.