Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24


With the pictorial reminders at the en-
,r.nce that those two favorites OF PIC
,o,,o, extr,syag CANA, Mutt and Jen. wouio
.oor he hid aers for attention or course
,hat standby of lighs. entertainment, po-
it, v,udevilre held valiantly to Its col
org and the rqoving pictures OF the h1gner
TYNE which, with their presentation Oh
noe,ic historic and biblical themes
tbrsaten TO moropo'lize the field OF classic
and lesitin,ate entertainment. cialheo
tribute from the passing crowds.
7, WAS this tradit ionally barren season
A.. tho National Theater selected TOT
re the most strih ingly brilliant events
of IFS long and rema rkable career.
..x;sret" Is ref ulgent exempiihca-
.io,, of the spixit of the time. The stage
i no longer the resort of Impoverished
genius teeming with ideas, but precarious
of nurse 1t has money in superabun-
dance The bankers of the world pour
treasure into the laps of the nine muses.
showing generosity toward them all. with
a slight partially, perhaps, TOWARD
Terpsichore.
All that opulence gan provide is at
hand. but the massive vigor that comes
with slow growth is absent me play
is fashioned like a creation OF the mil
timers art, regardless of cost and TO en-
dure only so long as current fancy ap-
nroves Stage material is designed for
people who consult the utilities OF the
,ressnt and neither build. legislate nor
write with any especlai resaru 'o'
,,,pions that a. selfish and non-contribut-
ing posterity may entertain. TINS ne"
,rabiap plav. which has enlisted superb
of Sn
least of whom in responsibility are the
stage hands who build and tear doWn
c;ties and palaces with s1ich lightning
facility. may he but a passing ornament
to civilization, but it is one of rare ana
beautiful workmanship.
II is remarkable that Otis Skinner. after
Ions experimenting with such tenuities
a dramatic sentiment as The Harvest
or. sYour Humble Servant" The
ucror of the Family and "Sire, should
find a mart both to his own and the public
liking not in legitimate drama, but In
spectacular display. 1t looked as II TINS
excellent actor were wasting valuable
time in fanciful exploration Of fields
which even under his skillful exploitation
could not be expected to win more than
dilettante appreciation
But Mr.. Skinner has been landed, Willy
nilly, into role which combines Win
the extravaganza of humor he so dehghts
to portray the vigorous consistency OF
character for which he is by nature
thoroughly and handsomely equipped
This Hail, the beggar. prince, murderer
and self-sacrificing father. all In day.
is with his roguery vigorous ana con-
sistent. And if. as is always likely 10
occur In pieces Of great spectacular
beauty, the scenery is held forth TO criti-
cal admiration quite as prominently as
the actorsg Mr.. Skinner will have the sat
isfaction of knowing that he is co-star-
rina with some of the greatest scenery
ever placed before the gaze Of an ad-
mirfng world
Too much applause cannot be bestowed
on the flrst two nights Of the engagement
those nights when the theater was dark.
and the poets, musicians, stage directors
and incidental advisers toiled to develop
order out of the chaos OF talents ana
scenic properties which must have pre-
sented itself in the earlier stages Of the
enterprise When the curtain arose Wed
nesday it revealed order complete ana
certain The delay in opening repre-
scented time and effort well applied, Tor
the production could not have been more
smooth and effective had 1T been running
for months If all first presentations
were like .Kismet' Washington might
well be tempted to beg for restoration to
its old time favor in theatric circles as
an experiment station for dramatic pro-
ducers. PHILANDER JOHNSON.
PLANS FOR NEW STOCK CO.
"
occupy the new Franklin Square Theater.
near eth and / streets northwest. are
beng arranged by Everett Butterfield. 1t
is understood that Mr.. Butterfield will
manage company of stock stars, all
well known in Washington. Several in
!eresting innovations are contemplated.
The company will be so recruited that
every member, will be capable of taking
a leading role if the role lies within MS
character. Also the audiences VIII not De
given chance to grow weary or the
same leading man woman. as IL Is
planned to alternate these interesting per-
soiAses. so as to present variety OF
talent.
Although few people have seen the
plans, the theater is talked of as a two
hundred-thousand-dolia affair. The ex-
terror design will be marked by classic
architectural touches, will be in white,
andi four generous columns will distin-
guiST the front. Care has been expended
on the minor details of the theater build
ing; for instance the windows are ar
ranged so that the interior will be COM
pletely ventilated in summer: no electric
lighe bulbs will show anywhere, and yet
thabghting will be as perfect as a mod
erIfttheatrical electrician can make 1t.
Several innovations pleasing to the ac-
tors will be installed all of which tend
TO secure better performances.
One of these will be a baby spot
light" which will accentuate the faces of
the players they appear or speak.
These lights have the effect of bringing
player into prominence, but there is no
ray of light between the stage and the
appbtatus, such there is in the case
Of flfe calcium light. The proscenium of
the theater is so planned that there Will
be nothing visible from the auditorium
hut the performance. The view from the
box seats will not be ;narred by the sight
Of stage hands and electricians in their
shirt sleeves. 1t is hoped TO have the
theater ready April 10
WISE DOGS-Whenever William Far.
mum has a day to himself he HES away
TO his place at Sag Harbor. where he
keeps in the gun and powder atmosphere
of THE Littiest Rebel" by shouIdering
his shotgun and going forth after the
wary duck. His tales of the great sport
10 be found on the waters near his cOun-
friend, who declared that nothing would
rive him more enjoyment than hagging
alter fowl.
Eor Iais he aorT he fol