The Washington herald., 1912-09-29
By JULIA CHANDLER MANI.


Players now come literally to THE Great
Divide" A. H. Van huren, Harry An
drews and Mark Kent going to Bridge
port. Conn.,. at the close of this week,
while Margaret Lee, Gertrude Bondhill,
Duncan Penwarden, and Louise Kent
will become valuable assets of Mr.. Poli's
company at Wilkesbarre.
And everybody is happy except Wash
ington theater goers. who have come TO
look upon seeing the stock company IN
the Avenue playhouse every week as an
essential to their happiness.
Talking to me the other day of the ap-
preaching close of the stock season.
Manager James Thatcher expressed his
appreciation of the hearty support given
the aggregation of players who came
here last spring. many of them stran-
gers to the Washington public.
Il have never been anywhere in the
Management of any theater where the
spirit was so cordial as here" he told me.
and his statement was bourne out by
Mr.. Harry Andrews, with whom l later
had a little chat.
Mr.. Andrews took charge of the d.
rectorship of the Poll Players On Au-
gust 6, since which time they have had
their most signal successes.
Tribute to Directors.
1t is because We are a little prone to
forget some times the power behind the
throne that / want to tell you something
of the tribute paid the director of the
Poll company, by A. H. Van Buren,,
who attributes the remarkable produc-
ton of THE Thief" Of Pierre of the
Plains" and a score Of other notable Poll
productions to the spirit Of Mr.. Andrews.
I'm all my long years of stage expe-
rience have never had a director whose
sympathies for his company were such
that they acted as a guide TO his I'M
Outstanding of how to obtain from them
the very best work of which they are
capable. The Thief may be given as
an example. Had We been under the d.
rectorship of a driving method, the week
of rehearsal for this piece We would
have failed, for We had had some heavy
weeks just preceding it, and Were very
tired. Realizing this Mr. Andrews
called but three rehearsals before the
production. giving us a chance to rest a
bit. which put us in shape for this play,
which was one of the biggest drains
upon our vitality which the summer
brought forth
In speaking of the company, Mr.. An
drews gave no less praise.
Il have never worked with an aggre-
CATION of players who were so loyal 10
the management; so loyal to me. and so
loyal to each other. Their attitude to-
ward each other has been a big part of
the splendid success of this company"
he said, going on TO tell me of the per-
sonal interest taken by each member of
the company in their fellow-players.
their quiCkness to offer suggestions which
would add no whit to their personal sue
cess. but which would add an artistic
touch TO the work of a co-worker and
help TO assure the success OF the produc-
ton as a whole.
And as for the audiences-why. they
have been perfect, Their sympathy has
come in great waves to me over the foot
lights. making the entire company feel
at all times that their patrons were pre-
pared to receive their best; always loyal
and always appreciative," he ended, en-
Enthusiastically.
Long List of Successes.
From the inaugural night of the Poll
company of dramatic stock. when a bril-
liant Performance of ''NObody's Widow
introduced the players to Washington. TO
this, the last week of stock in the Ave
nue. playhouse, there will be remembered
4 list of players of such dramatic seri-
business as to have left no question in the
minds of patrons of Polls Theater of the
individual ability of each member of the
stock organization.
Following ''Nobodys Widow came
THE ,Nirginian," after which were seen
The 'WitChing Hour, over might"
Madam X Seven DAYS, The For
tune Hunter The White Sister,
THE Chorus Lady" Three Twins"
Alias Jimmy Valentine The Gentle
man from Mississippi The Fourth
Estate" The Commuters The Third
Degree The Lion and the Mouse
Father and the Boys" Checkers"
Little Johnnie Jones'" The Deep Pur-
1.Nr 1t.
Thief" and Paid In Full closing this
week with The Great Divide
Asked which three of these productions
she had most enjoyed Miss Izet-
ia Jewel mentioned first, ''Nobodys
Widow" and then The Thief" but re-
fused to go any further.
Please give me third choice" I beg
ged.
No, 1 shall not give you third. be-
cause it is those two which have male
the summer splendid for me, those two
which have made all the hard work
worth what 1 have given to it through
out the entire season."
Suggested MADAM ""
But I wanted the third so I suggested
Madam "" for in the title role of this
piece Miss Jewel proved to Washing
ton theatergoers early in the season that |
she was capable of a tremendous depth |
of feeling and portrayal in highly emo
tional roles.
The leading woman laughed at my in |
sistence; gave her blonde hair vicious |
little twist with her curling iron, daubed |
grease paint on her face, and winked |
at me wickedly.
There was one thing I liked about |
Madam X" she informed me.
''What?'' / asked quickly, feeling sure |
the third choice was forthcoming after |
all.
1t gave me a chance TO scream loud |
the whole summer she told me.
But / will tell you the play l have |
hated the most" she volunteered. 1T
was The Deep Purple" That was the |
most depressing nightmare into which |
I ever waded.''
Tell me- I said. Just the sort of
thing that would go into an ideal role?"
This question just fitted into the happy |
mood in which I found the leading |
woman of the Poll Players, as she made |
herself ready for the matinee perform |
ance of Paid in Full last Thursday, \
for she gave me a flashing smile as |
she informed me that she likes in plays |
just what she likes in life-much sunshine
and few shadows.
Wants Sunshine to Predominate.
II can't bear gloom. 1 like the sun |
shine to predominant character. You
see, even in THE Thief" the first act
was filled with the sunshine of love,
which until the second act was not