Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-20

ten by two English gentlemen
whose names are not very familiar on the
programs of the playhouse and is based
on a proposition which is rather practical
than romantic; namely. the method OF
procedure in the English courts OF law
in cases where woman is under cross
examination The viewpoint is chiv-
alrously sympathetic and the climax at
tanned is vigorously Interesting. 1t is a
play of recollective construction. The
principal motive doubtless was supplied
from the personal observations of bar
rister. and the plot material with which
it is surrounded has been utilized in vari-
Gus other creations of fiction. Incidents
and motives have been picked up piece
meal and assembled with careful crafts
manship. the result being a mechanism
which works practically If not with I'M
interrupted smoothness. BY far the best
bit of acting in the performance is the
character-comedy work Of Mr.. Beerbohm.
The Butterfly was the only novelty
which fiuttered across the Washington
theatric scene-if a play which has had
so long run in New York may be called
a novelty merely because it is a belated
visitor.
Will Hodge in The Man From Home"
has not deteriorated in his work. and the
play continues to enjoy a degree of APP
prevail which in the case of the ordinary
comedy would have been exhausted some
seasons ago. 1t is an example of how
far a smooth and sincere performance
may give continued vitality to piece
that is in itself not particularly powerful
The Spring Maid, like the spring
ciiicken, is not to be too closely scruti-
niZed in the matter of dates. 1t is another
OF the entertainments which are neither
novelties nor standard successes and re-
mains delightful because of the pleasant
personality of Miss Macdonald and the
untiaggng comedy of Tom McNaughton,
who. if he did nothing else, would be en-
titled 10 laughter medal for his combi-
nation of honest .mirth and artistic refine
nent. and for his little lett motif trav-
csty in the little story of the Pretty Lit
tie Rabbit. The Bub-bling Spring and
The Three Trees.
Stanley James has a clever little sketch
In "Bixby's Baby" based upon the pos
sibilities of indiscriminate matrimony
when the mating couples are blessed with
progeny of former union that have to
be reckoned with. 1t is filled with quiet
humor Of the enjoyable kind and fur
nishes Octavia Ellis with a light comedy
role, which she handles charmingly
HOW HE HIT RABBIT.-Maclyn
Arbuckle is a great hunter, according
to his own tales. If there is anything
he likes better than another 1T is to
get OF in the woods with a gun and a
dog and prow1 around in the soft
leaves. looking for chance to pot a
squirrel or a panther or a bluebird or
some other denizen of the darkened
dales That is. he has the ambition to
do SO. but somehow or other when he
fires his gun the shot always embeds
itself in something at which Mac hasn't
aimed. However he has the fun and
the game has excitement without sac
rificing it's life.
One time he was down in Virginia in
rabbit time. He and several friends
were weekend guests at fine old
southern mansion, the kind with great
white pillars and a colonial door.
which is opened by an old colored man
In blue spike-tailed coat. The per-
simmons were ripe, and the rolling
~
for the frost had begun to paint pic
lures on the fields. All the southern
gentlemen We're filled with hunting en-
thusiasm-so was Maclyn Arbuckle.
He borrowed a gun and went off in the
woods all by himself.
Then for the first time in his life he
brought back a rabbit.
One of his friends who knew of Ar
buckles hunting habits and luck was
considerably surprised.
HOW did YOU come to shoot it,"
asked the friend.
We'll" explained the ex-county chair
man. Il didn't exactly shoot it. 1
slipped and fell on it,
LOVES THE MISER'S ROLE.-Wfl-
liam Wolff. who will essay Gaspard in the
spectacular revival of The Chimes of
Normandy" has impersonated the char
acter more than 1OUO consecutive times
He began his operate career in the
role In 1877 with the Holman Opera Com
pany. While he has won plaudits of
two continents in half hundred other
operas. he clings with affection to his
first successful role. in which he last ap-
peared during the Castle Square opera
season under the nagement of Henry
W. Savage.
As he had retired from the stage to
devote his time TO a successfully estab-
lished mercantile business in Boston.
which he still carries on, il was no easy
matter for MessTS. Aborn To persuade
MIN TO take up the strain and tension OF
rehearsing with an opera organization.
IL was not the lure OF the handsome SAL
airy offered him that won him. IL is said,
DDt mis- sentimental Partially for the
striking role of the old mser
TOO GOOD y WILLAMETTE was
my great good fortune" said Doug
las Fairbanks recently. TO be pre-
scented to the late Joseph jefferson q
short time after ] had made my stage
debut. and in the course of a most de-
liShtful visit Mr.. jefferson gave me some
advice that has been invaluabl to me.
Among other things he told me to never
allow a stage manager east me for a
villain role. To emphasize > this ad-
vice Mir. jefferson related this story:
II once knew fine young actor" said
'heavies. He was afterward a success
full star. but that's another story. He
was engaged to be married To a young
lady who lived in Portland. Me Accom-
panied BY her father and mother, the girl
went TO New York TO purchase her trous-
seau. and one night occupied "A box to see
her intended act i'm "A melodrama that
was just then big Broadway success.
She had never seen her future lord and
master on the staee-proba that was
why she had loved him
Well. to make a long story short, the
I,