The Washington herald., 1912-11-03
Important Productions at
Local TheaterS This Week
Premiere at the Columbia Play Indorsed BY thl
Drama League of america at the Belasco
Lehar Opera at the National
D. JntkA CHANDLER NAME.

''The Stronger Ciaim.' watch vjm have
it's initial presentation at the cnanmRls
to-ms1Qw night. win introduce Richard
Bennett as an actor-manager.
Mr.. Bennett, has long been known a
one Of the most prominent leading men
of the country. and will be remembered
In particular as John Shand. the Scotch
man, in support of Maude Adams In
What Every Woman Knows"
The production which Mr.. Bennett will
make here comes direct from the stage
directors hands. having had its hrst
dress rehearsal on Tuesday. October 3.
at the Garden Theater in New York. .
Mr.. Bennett has surrounded himself
with one of the most noteworthy casts
ever selected for a metropolitan produc-
tion. Edith Wynne Matthison. who viii
be remembered always for her immortal
creation Of the title role in "Everyman."
will be seen in the leading feminine role.
Miss Matthison, than whom there II no
more .chaste and classic reader on the
English-speaking stage. was last seen
here at the Belasco Theater. where she
gave a remarkable Intellectual perform
ance in THE Piper" the. piece which
came to Washington direct from the late
New rheater in New York. In Mr.. Ben
nett's first venture In the producing heid.
Miss Matthison will play the role Of the
prima donna. opposite Mr.. Benefits
Characterization OF the priest.
Tim MuVphy, who will be remembered
for his excellent work in tho many star
parts he has played during the past few
years. but especially in the Texas
Steer and the Carpet Bagger," will
also have a prominent role in THE
Stronger Claim
Alice johnson. Margaret o'Neill. Mas
ter Macomber. and Salvatore Zito will be
intrusted with other exacting roles.
If the drama which Is to introduce
Richard Bennett to the theatergoing
public in a managerial capacity Is as
vital as the players he has chosen for
its portrayal are capable. there 10 no
doubt that ne will be justified in follow
ing his present intention Of carrying the
piece into New York after week here
and another in Baltimore.
The Washington Center Of the Drama
League Of America began its work last
week under most auspicious circum-
stances. being enabled to send out with
its invitations of membership a bulletin
issued by the Chicago playgoing COM
mittee on ''Kindling," a unique tndorse-
ment by discriminating critics OF the
drama in which Margaret Ellington Will
be seen at the Belasco this week.
The purpose of the playgoing commit
tee, as has been stated before in this
department. is the support of good
drama by inducing attendance. early in
an engagement. upon the plays with the
committee bulletins. The fact that
bulletin is issued on play indicates
that because of artistic merit or the
timely and vital nature OF the theme, the
committee deems the play worthy Of sup
port. The bulletin. an official statement
of the Drama League, is Independent OF
any outside influence.
.'Kindling." according to the bulletin
Of the Drama League. 'fs an unusual
and excellent purpose play, noteworthy
for its sincerity and the sympathetic
treatment of its subject. 1t is. indeed
significant social document. and deserves
and repays patronage both by its own
power and by the convincing character
ization of its heroine by Miss Ellington.
who, as Maggie. gives a thoroughly ar
tistic performance. The play Is OF IN
terest also as an all-American product
Its author is a newspaper writer on the
San Francisco Examiner, and this Is his
first full-length play. The producer 10
Edward ]. Bowes. The metropolitan pre-
miere took place December 5. 1911, at
Days Theater. New York City. since
which time the play has had q long
and successful run in Chicago and West
ern cities
Following this Endorsement. the bulle-
tin gives the simple and human story
of the play. which will be found else
where on this page to-day. The WASH
, ington Center of the Drama League VIII
elect local playgoing committee al a
meeting which will be held at an early
date. after which the local branch will
issue independent bulletins Of the new
plays which have their initial presenta-
ton here.
A. H. Wood, the plunging manager,