The Washington herald., 1912-08-18
NEWS OF LOCAL THEATERS.

Musical Director Harry smith Is au-
thority for the statement that the new
Chase's augmented orchestra Is one or
the largest. best paid, and probably the
most efficient in American vaudeville.
Chase's not only granted the new union
increased scale without demur but also
added three players to the number.
As promised in former announcements.
Manager Thatcher Of Polls Theater has
made important additions 10 his company
for proper presentation OF "A Gentle
man from Mississippi" Margaret Lee.
who played Mrs. Spangler in the New
York production, William walcott. the
Senator Peabody Of the original cast
and James McCabe. the original mayor OF
Gulf City. Miss. will be seen this week
at Polls in the roles they created when
- Gentleman from Mississippi began
its long run in New York.
Edward H Robins. who is under con-
tract with David Belasco for the coming
season. has been authorized by Mr.. Be
lasco to delay reporting for rehearsal
until the conclusion of his season in this
city with the Columbia Players. Two
other members OF this company who
have signed contracts with Mr.. Belasco
will be announced later.
One OF the important additions TO the
equipment OF the Gayety Theater Is the
installation of a special design OF ven
tilator fan which frees the house of to-
bacco smoke instantaneously. The Gay
ETY. is one of the first burlesque houses
in the country to install the device.
The Wardrobe womsn." played by
Zelda Sears. is already destined 10 en-
largement into a three-act comedy for
the high price houses. II is expected to be
as great a hit as the celebrated farce.
The Chorus Lady,
William waIcott. who joins the Poll
Players this week. was member or
Henry Millers famous repertoire company
in San Francisco three years ago. This
company included Margaret AngIin.
Charles Cherry. Grace Elliston. Laura
Hope Crews. Mrs. Thomas Whitfon. ].
II. Stoddard. Margaret Dale, and other
noted players. II was known as an all
star cast and deserved the title. Wal
colt has played big roles in numerous
Broadway successes and has been lead
ing man for Viola Allen. Mary Manner
ing and Henrietta Crosman.
The Lyman H. Howe travel festival
will present an entire change Of pro-
gramme at the Columbia Thea;er to-
night
In addition to having been the prin-
cipal comedians with Blanche Ring in
The Yankee Girl and with Eddie Foy
in Mr. Hamlet of Broadway" Cook and
Lorenz. who head the cast at the Gayety
this week. were with the Follies Bergere
company. the Winter Garden. and the
New York Theater shows on Broadway
Last season they were seen in Washing
ton as headliners at Chase's.
Zelda Sears. Chase's chief star next
week, long time with Frohman. was 81
much appreciated by Clyde Fitch that
he wrote parts especially for her in many
Lovers Lane" The Girl with the
Green Eyes" The Coronet OF the
Duchess" Cousin Billy" and Girls"
Margaret Lee who has Just been added
to the Poll Players. is one OF the best
known and most experienced stock ac-
tresses in the United States: She gained
her intimate knowledge of the theater as
a member Of Augustin Daly's famous
company. and afterward played impor-
tant roles in Lester Wallicks stock COM
pany in Daniel Frohman's Lyceum Thea
ter Company. and in the famous Empire
Theater Company. OF which Henry Miller
was leading man. Maude Adams. leading
woman. and Ethel Barrymore played in
genue roles
The Columbia production Of Peaceful
Valley" will be the first time the play
has been seen in this city since the re-
tirement of Sol Smith Russell from the
stage.
Margaret Armstrong. Walter Young.
Anne Rogers and Walter Regan are sup
porting Zelda Sears in polite vaudeville.
All but Miss Rogers were with her in
The Nest Egg" when given here.
Helen Byron. who makes her debut as
a burlesque star at the Gayety to-mor-
row afternoon, toured the South and
West for two years as the star of
Sergeant Kitty"