The Washington herald., 1911-08-27
WEATHER RETARDS
NEW YORK SEASON
By EMORY b. CALVERT.

New York, Aug 26.-The lethargy
in theatrical circles still continues.
With the exception of one new piece
and the revival of one of last year s
successes, nothing has happened dur
ing the past week TO disturb the sum-
mer monotony. Not in many years
has the season been so backward The
month of August generally witnesses
the advent of a number of new pro-
ductions but so far this season the
number has been limited to two. and
from present Indications the percent
age of new pieces will be exceedingly
low until September
This fact, however. by no means
presages a poor season from a pro-
ducing standpoint. There are new
plays a-plenty. and by the time the
leaves begin to turn the first-nighter
will be working overtime.
The attitude of the producers in
holding off is easily explained. After
several years of costly experimenting.
the policy of putting on a number of
new pieces during the month of
August has been found to be an ex-
pensive one. The hot weather pre-
vented the new piece from getting the
enthusiastic send-Of that 1t would
have got on a cooler night, and in
many cases it had to be taken off
the boards before the season was well
under way. Accordingly, the excep
tionally hot weather that ushered in
the present summer caused the
abandonment of many early season
plans.
Another factor-and very strong
one-in limiting the number of new
productions, is the unusual number of
last years successes that have been
revived. AT the present time there
are no less than seven pieces that
amused last seasons audiences, play
ing to full houses. These include
The Pink Lady" The Spring Maid"
''The Hen Pecks." He Came From
Milwaukee," Excuse Me-" "Get-Rich-
Thinks" The first four named are
musical comedies, the next two come
dies and the last one a drama Several
of these pieces will wind up their
Broadway careers about the first of
October, but there are two or three
that will run we'll into the coming
season.
"a Gentleman of Leisure.''
Satan will find something for idle
hands TO do If there is a moral to
the new comedy by John Stapleton and
P. G. Wodehouse, entitled "A Gentle
man of Leisure" this is il. But the
authors evidently did not write the
play with the intention of conveying
a moral; they aimed to create a laugh
and they accomplished their purpose.
For whatever else may be said of this
piece. it cannot be called dull. The
plot may be called impossible, and the
situations absurd, but they must all
be called funny.
"A Gentleman of Leisure was the
only new piece to grace the boards
during the past week. 1t opened at
the Playhouse Thursday evening,
and from the reception accorded II, II
should stop there for some time.
The play has to deal with a young
gentleman who had no hardships ex-
cept that of spending his income. He
is of a rather adventurous disposition,
and his sportiVe proclivities lead him
into a wager that he will break into
a Fifth avenue home and prove his
act by producing a souvenir of his un-
ceremonious visit.
As he is about to set out on his
foolish experiment in amateur felony, |
he encounters a professional burglar |
IN his own residence and takes him |
INFO partnership in the business at |
hand The pair then jimmy their way |
into the residence of a rich police cap
tain, with whose daughter the young |
Houseoiedker is IN love. BY this girl, |
in compliance with every rule of |
COMEDY the night visitors are caught, |
ana soon her father, the police cap
tain, takes a vigorous hand in the |
proceedings. Then develops a duel Of |
wits between the oficer and the |
cracksmen, with the lady love of the |
latter between the fires of love and |
doubt. The story ends sentimentally
Douglas Fairbanks plays the lead
ing role with all the dash ana vim
characteristic OF this young star. He |
took advantage or every Opportunity.
and made his role seem almost q |
reality. other members OF the cast |
included George Fawcett, Miss Ruth |
sheppley, Miss Jeffrys Lewis. welton |
Taylor, e. II. Kelly, Orlando DAILY, |
Elmer Booth. Charles B. Wells, and |
others.
New York win have its frst oppor.l