Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21

thusiasm that prevailed last week Think
of it, Three rival stock companies, all OF
them good ard all of them drawing capac-
ity audiences at popular prices. Tor
new star to face at regular season prices
The fact that he won out speaks vol
umes for the star and "Snobs." 1t was
q great victory. and the best of It all is
that 1t was well deserved.
And this forces attention to the stock
company proposition. Whatever may have
been the direful predictions of doubling
Thomases. among the prophets of the
profession. the fact remains that Wash
ington audiences-not meager ones, but
housefilling in their quantities and emf
nently representative in their quality
have testified with no uncertain sound
their enthusiastic approval of clean plays.
well played, at popular prices. The Co
lumbia players have been winning this
demonstration for three years. Now
come the Poll Players and the Butterfield
Players, and the result Is just as aston
ishing As President Cleveland once re-
marked: 1T is condition and not a
theory that confronts US"
was marked with a liberality in policy
and display that argues well for the
future. ''Nobody's Widow" following
close upon the heels of the Blanche
Bates Belasco production, was an un-
doubted success. Washington knows a
good thing. and is quick to patronize it,
1t has verdict of its own quite as pro-
nounced and effective as the much-talked-
vT-Y.
much satisfaction in the thought that the
Poll Players will be an all-the-year at
traction.
The Lily, another Belasco product
received splendid presentation at the
hands Of the Columbia Players last week
The usual capacity audiences, not one bit
abated, testified to its popularity and
merit. 1t served to bring Carrie Thatcher
into the limelight as well. Miss Thatch-
er's quiet unobtrusiveness in the past has
helped to keep in the background her pos
session of undoubted talent. She will
come into her own now.
AS cleverly as Brown of Harvard" was
ing the week. somebody seemed to have
atmosphere and arouse enthusiasm by
the Introduction of college songs and
music by the orchestra. and the climax
in the third act was just a bit too hur-
ried to secure the best effect. Otherwise
the production was a meritorious one. and
gave promise of better things to follow at
the hands of the very capable company.
THE REAL AND THE REALISTIC
The part of Trampas in The Virginian'
is one of the biggest opportunities that
ever comes to an actor, said Duncan
Penwarden, land it will be genuine
pleasure to enact this role in the capital.
But there are cities in which l would
hate to play the part of the typical bad
man of the plains. 1 would hate, for
Texas community where Frank Campeau,
the original in the part, had such thrill
ing experience.
1T was on Saturday night and the
theater was packed to the smoke-wreath-
ed gallery. The first act had been re-
ceived with outlaws of Texan laughter
and everything seemed to be going swim
mingly. Dusty" Farnum seemed to be
enjoying playing the part of the hero on
the native SOIL and Campeau was hav-
ing almost an equally enjoyable expert.
ence listening to the Kisses OF the inimical
audience. But trouble was brewing. 1t
came suddenly and with heart-stopping
abruptness in the big duel scene, when
Trampas, skirting one OF the village sa-
looms, tries to get the drop on the VIZ
ginian.
.'As Trampas' gun was raised a stento-
rian voice from the gallery shouted, with
understandable hatred and earnestness,
.Drap that gun or I'll drap you.
Now, Campeau is not a coward by any
means, but it is little wonder that those
in the front rows said afterward they
saw his tace blanch slightly as deatn-
like stiffness fell upon the house. dusty
Farnun, realizing. the imminent danger
of his feilow-actor. and knowing that any
move which Campeau might make would
draw the fire OF the deadly serious citi-
zen in the gallery, turned quickly TO the
gallery. and in as calm voice as pos
sible explained to his inebriated cham
pion in the audience that Trampas gun
was not loaded, he, the Virginian having
attended to that while IrampaS was
drinking in the corner saloon.
while Farnum was trying to pacify
the Texan, officers of the law had sue
ceeded in reaching his side and disarmnS
him. Then the play proceeded.
"Of course, il was a tribute to Cam
peau's vivid acting, but if it's all the
same to the public | am not longing Tor
any such tribute to my hiStrionlc art,
besides | don't expect to be confronted
with this condition, at least in the near
future.
FELT THE SOUL OF MUSIC.-Fer-
vent admiration of grand opera and
classic music is often found where least
expected.
During the Aborn Grand Opera Com
panys season last spring many Illus
trations of this fact were observable
some of them tending to show that music
has charms TO lure devotees to its high
est realms from depths almost unimagi-
nable.
one day Sargent Aborn's attention
was called 10 poorly dressed woman,
with a girl child by the hand, who was
invariably first in the line that gathered
at the gallery door on matinee days
Every matinee day saw her in the same
place, first among the waiting crowd that
watched for the opening OF the doors
Mr.. Aborn afterward kept close Watcn
and found she always bought two or the
cheapest seats for the top gallery. Even
there he watched her and was moved Dy
the wrapt attention of mother ana cnild,
for such il was, not only during the
progress of the opera, but even with the
speak TO her.
You seem to be very iona Oh the
OPERA he said.
Il have learned to. love music for my
child's sake she replied tmorously,
drawing back as IL to escape observa-
ton.
but isn't grand opera rather too ad-
yanced for herr inquired MIR. Aborn.
q used To think SO at first" she re-
piled but now i know it Is within her
reach, because I who know but little OF