The Washington herald., 1911-04-02

the theatrical profession and the Amer
ican reading public by his nom de plume
Alan Dale. What truth attaches to the
rumor matters little. The mere sugEes-
tion that it is said. alleged, reported, or
whispered about that this persistent
prosecutor of pernicious players and de-
voted defender of the drama is about to
abandon the field of dramatic criticism is
enough to cause an upheaval in the
thespian world For many years the
calstic Mr.. Dale has been the bogy
mm OF American and visiting players.
The little children Of our leading actors
are accustomed 10 being frightened into
estimable behavior by the mere mention
, OF his name The knowledge that he
was in front at first night perform
manifestations of stage fright than any
other cause. The following morning,
when the eeiiboy brings the crop of
newspapers it is TO Alan Dale's column
that the trembling player first turns his
eager yet fearful eye
The secret of Mr.. Dale's supremacy in
the mind of the actor lies in the play
ers Overwhelming vanity; the secret of
his hold upon the readers of the chain
of newspapers in which his comments
are published rests in the biting wit with
which he can refer to the unfortunate
size of the actors feet. The actor, be-
ing the vsinest OF human creatures.
knows that Mr.. Dale will have little or
nothing to say about the quality of his
acting. and that what little he says will,
in all probability. be wrong What
causes the lump of apprehension to rise
in the actors throat. as he glances at
the dread columns, is the expectancy
OF finding the painfully obtuse angle in
neatly epigrammed or perhaps it is the at
of his dress coat or that encroaching bald
spot on the back OF his cranium
In the long years of his service in the
cause of dramatic art MIR. Dale has so
seldom lifted his voice in praise that
When he does so eXultant managers give
banquet to all the members of the
company. Mr.. Dale revels in the soIi-
tude Of his own opinions. 1t is his am
bition. apparently. never to permit him
self 10 agree with his fellow-critics.
Among the latest of his extraordinary ex-
ploits was his particularly vicious di-
atribe against .Tverywoman." when il
made its New York bow. He followed
this manifestation of unique individuality
OF thought by pointing out to the public
the folly OF an othwise unanimous ver-
dict In favor of a new musical produc-
lion. entitled The Pink Lady"
And now this devoted adherent to the
principle that it is better to be wrong
than agreeable is to retire from the fad
in which he so often has wased single
combat against the theatrical world. 1t
doesn't seem possible. Perhaps, however.
his faithful labors have been rewarded
by the offer OF the presidency of some
large commercial enterprise, such as the
American Hammer Manufacturins Com
pany.
One of the happiest engagements Of the
season terminated last evening at the
Columbia Theater. Seldom do we have
the pleasure of paying tribute to so
wholesome and entertaining a comedy as
The Seven Sisters" in which Charles
Cherry and Miss Laurette Taylor blend
their talents so delightfully."-. ~ 1t is pleas
ant Also TO record therein the return 10
the field of play production of Daniel
Frohman, brother Of the more powerful
as he is popularity known in theatrical.
circles, has confined his activities mainly
20 the management of the Lyceum Thea
ter. Tho Seven Sisters is one of sew
era1 new productions for which his plans
are kid. His return is most welcome. for
he represents in a greater degree than any
other manager Of the day the refinement
OF taste and profound knowledge of dra-
nlanc art possessed by such great stage
masters of the past as A. N. Palmer and
AuEustin Daily.
The company selected by Mr.. Frohman
10 present this whimsical Hungarian
farce recalls the fine old days of the
Lyceum Theater Company, under his di-
rectiou. when the theatergoers knew
that. irrespective of the play itself. they
were always certain Of seeing an artistic,
polished performance. The custom of
the day makes for the starring system,
but the dashing Cherry and the inimita-
bic Miss Taylor do not dominate The
Seven Sisters IN the usual star" sense,
but merely add brirhancy to the WELL
rounded efforts of company WHOSE in
dividual members manifest the Eentility
of manner, intelligence, and technical
grasp necessary to present atractfvely
the highest form of modern comedy.
Few persons realize that" the perfect
poise and sentlity of speech and bearing
characte-izing the work Of such players
cannot be assumed successfully. These
attributes must cling to the player when
he leaves the dressing-roon for the
street They are not TO be left behind
with his wig or uniform. To convey a
convincing impression OF birth and breed
ing across the footiiEhts the player must
be equally at home In the drawing-rooms
OF the real and the mimic world. Mr..
Cherry, for instance. is not playing q
part when he gives rs that pleasing i'm
preston. on the stage he is the same
English gentleman. of distinguished ap-