The Washington herald., 1912-08-20
CHASE'S NEW THEATER.
Polite Vaudeville.

Despite the humid heat of the afternoon
all Washington was present yesterday at
the dedication of Chase's beautiful new
home of polite vaudeville. or so. 1t seemed
to one who watched the brilliant throng
gathered to do honor to the elimination
of the ideals and ambitions of Mr.. z. B.
Chase, Is they are represented in this
new theater which is the largest and one
of the most beautiful and artistic in
America. Standing as II does surrounded
by imposing Federal buildings, 1t Is a
monument TO the originator of polite
vaudeville in Washington: the crowning
triumph in the policies which have so
endeared Mr.. Chase to the theatergoing
pubic of this city.
Weeks ago, when it was announced that
the new house would be dedicated August
49, the passer-by looked at the chaotic
condition of the building, then in erection,
and wondered IL II could be possible. True
10 his promise Mr.. Chase opened the
doors of his magnificent new house yes
terday afternoon, and his patrons could
but applaud the indomitable will and al
most miraculous energy which guided the
building to its timely completion.
Not only was the new theater ready
for the presentation of its inaugural bill
yesterday afternoon. but was so complete
in its every detail that the entire per-
Torrance was without a hitch, upon which
fact patrons of polite vaudeville owe their
congratulations to Mr.. Chase. and to Miss
H. Winnifred De Witt, Manager of
Chase's Theater.
Having once passed .'7e main lobby of
the -theater with its unequaled Sienna
marble panels, its ailegoscal frieze in
Rookwood pottery, and its opalescent
alabaster globes, the immense audience
which participated in the inaugural
seemed determined TO make a further
tour of exploration before consenting to
being shown to their seats, which ac-
counted for the gathering of hundreds
in the promenade lounge OF the G Street
side of the theater. where the sonorous
notes of a magnificent pipe organ pealed
forth welcoming melodies.
No detail which might add to the lux
urious comfort of its patrons has been
emitted in the erection of Chase's New
Theater. The seating arrangements are
perfect, and the acoustic properties OF
the house cannot be excelled.
Judging from the intense interest mani
tested in the theater and its equipment.
the adding of a vaudeville bill to the
attractions of the opening seemed to
the onlooker quite an unnecessary gen.
erosity. and was taken quite as an in
cident of the inaugural, despite the fact
that the bill had been arranged by the
management with great care and fore
thought.
You see Washington Theatergoers are
entirely familiar with the excellence of
the attractions, for which the name of
p. B. Chase stards. They know before
they go that they are going to see a
good show, going to be amply enter
tanned, so il is quite likely that the
programme will continue the minor con-
sideration until the public has learned
by heart all the wonderland into which
Ane enters when one begins to explore
this home of polite vaudeville, which is
one of the most magnificent theaters in
the world.
After the opening orchestral recital, un-
der the direction of Henry Il. Smith, the
great curtain of heavy red plush. with its
rich fringe Of gold, raised, and the Musi-
cal Gordon Highlanders were seen in an
instrumental, singing. and dancing nov-
city, which was followed by Florence
Modena- assisted by Charles II. Gardner,
in a little skit entitled "A Lesson in Re-
form" in which a young husband proves
to his wife that he can be as great an
enthusiast in the reformation of chorus
girls, stenographers, ct cetera, as she can
be in uplifting cab drivers and tramps.
Maud Lambert. who was featured last
season with Eddie Foy in over the
River" and Ernest r. Ball scored heavily
in their musical creations. Miss Lambert.
has most winning personality, Is the
possessor of a well modulated voice Of
fine fiber. and has scores of cute little
mannerisms, which she uses to effect.
She appeared in a bewildering succession
of artistic gowns. and won an applause
so insistent in its demand that she finally
resorted to a little song of her own COM
position.
Ernest R. Ball, the composer of Love
Me and the World is Nine" I'm the Gar
den Of My Heart" and many other popu-
lar song hits. contributed capable instru-
mental and vocal support TO Miss Lam
bert.
Ideal the champion diver and swim
mer of the world, furnished a most in
teresting feature of the programme. She
gave some truly remarkable exhibits of
acrobatic diving and fancy swimming,
and was enthusiastically applauded.
Following the intermission, Don Fulano,
a trick horse. seemed to lack only the
gift of speech to make him human, and
won the sincere appreciation of the i'm
mense audience. which watched him pick
out the flags Of nations after hearing
the national air of each country, a feat
remarkable and unequaled in animal
training.
Mabel Taliaferro concluded the pro-
gramme in The Return of Tori San"
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