Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18

fedy except the 'sdioits and coils Oh
iTiroadway Yet every generation INSISTS
inn its share of Shakespeare. The condl-
tion imposed is that il shall he genuine
Shakespeare, not an imitation article IN
the absence of any pure food regulations
that can be applied reliably TO dramatic
art, the public has to wait for trade
mark TO develop. Once its confidence Is
bestowed. it is generous in estimating
the merits of individual performers. sat
isfied to know that II is getting the best
available and making allowances for the
variations in quality which repetition in
evitably displays. Fortunately, stage
favortte can always find champions for
whatever Interpretation method of eX-
preston he employs, whether adopted as
a matter of choice or forced on him by
natural limitations. One playgoer will
insist for instance. that Mr.. Sothern' s
Malvolio-at best a rather whimsical and
Intangible character, which in the au-
thor's day may have been vitalized by
some satrical reference now obScure-is
a complete and satisfying representation.
Anethe- viii contend that it is hollow
and mechanical. The reminiscent person
is likely to recall Lord Chumley" and
The Highest Bidder and vow that Mr..
Sothern ought not TO attempt anything
but comedy while the admirer of his
Macbeth is equally liable TO insist that
he should not go outside the realms Of
pure tragedy.
One fact remains: What Mr.. Sothern
does and how he does it must be found
Interesting and worthy of argument. And
his manner of producing the plays, both
nd
nest scholarship that 1t provides common
ground on which those who approve or
disapprove of his individual representa-
lions may meet i'll hearty and unequivo-
cal admiration.
Concerning Miss Marlowe, the same dis
sensions will arise among those who find
pleasure not only in viewing the play. but
in discussing IL afterward One opinion
would permit her TO play nothing but
Viola, and another would restrict her to
Lady Macbeth. The warmth of partisan
ship with reference to the two lines of
Miss Marlowes work is proof of her
capability of winning admirers in both.
1t is seldom that so many good actors
are assembled IN a permanent organiza-
ton as may be found in the Sothern-
Marlowe company. An evening of intel
sIigently read lines IS worth the trouble
OF Journey to the theater, and this
pleasure awaited the auditor at each of
the performances. The attendance was OF
the rd-breaking description con-
vincing evidence that public fancy has
settled upon Sotherr Ma lowe Shakes
peare as, for the time, The Shakespeare.
Z AIr IF fh0Ge l.
edies which please and satisfy without
creating any startling impression, play
swhose title, 1.-The Senator Keeps House.
. affords a very fair resume of its style and
: characteristics.
Naughty Marietta" has not reformed
; since the visit here last season.
PHILANDER JOHNSON.
: GILBERTS CAUSTIC WIT.-One Of the
sbest things W. 5. Gilbert said was about
Rutland harrington. the we'll known Eng
.lish comedian, whose portly, unctuous hu-
Smor was such an inimtable addition to
the old O'Oyly Carte Company. During
the premiere of new opera Gilbert was
in box with party of friends. one of
whom turned TO him excitedly and said:
: ''Oh. Mr.. Gilbert, Rutland harrington is
singing in tune. ''Oh. don't worry about
=
: nervousness-he'n get over it,
His best known mot was about Hamlet
After a couple of days absence from
3 London. he walked into the savage Club
: and somebody shouted greeting: Hello,
Gilbert, where have YOU BEEN I've
been up 10 Birmingham to see Wilson
. Barrett Hamlet" Gilbert cried. 1.-The
deuce you say: how was it," asked his
friend. "Oh, very funny-and not at al
vulgar" was the answer.
HENRY MILLER'S NEW PLAY
Henry Miller Will produce a new play by
: y. r. Thomas at the Columbia Theater
Monday evening March 4. 1t is called
The Rainbow, and is a comedy of to-
day. the action occurring in 9TH avenue
bachelor apartment. a country place on
Long Island and in an Italian villa on
the Riviera. The company includes Hope
5 Latham, Mrs. Fiske's leading woman in
Salvation Nell; Laura Hope Crews.
who was Mr.. Miler'S leading woman last
year: Ruth Chatterton. the beautiful
young ingenue who was member of the
Columbia Stock Company two years ago:
Fania Merinoff. a member OF the original
cast OF The House Next Door; Charles
Hammond, at one time member of
Edwin Arden's stock company at the
Belasco Theater and more recently
leading man for Ethel Barrymore in
Lady Frederick and Her Sister; Eff
hnham Pinto, one of the original cast in
The Climax: Robert Stow gin, who
played a leading role with Henrietta
Crosman in sweet Kitty Bellairs'
Daniel Pannell, a member of Mr.. Miller s
company in The Havoc" and more
than half a dozen other well known New
York actors.
The Rainbow is in striking contrast
to The Havoc is suggested by the
title. Ii is light, cheerful. wholesome
comedy, with a story of direct sentl-
mental appeal
POPULAR PLAYWRIGHT-Bartle
Campbell was born in Allegheny City.
August Il, 1913 The house in which he
first saw the light is still standing on
Rebecca street During his youth he I'M
dertook the study OF law. This was In
1856. when he was only thirteen years
old. After two years he abandoned all
thought of the bar and became a news
paper man. beginning as a reporter on
the staff of the Pittsburgh Post. at tina,
time the only democratic newspaper In
western Pennsylvania.
Shortly after this time politics began tc
attract the attention of the young cut
reporter, and he became stump speaker
Tor the democratic party during the civil
war days of 1891. In 1865, at the age
OF twenty-five. he started the Evening
Mail in Pittsburgh, being at that time