Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-28

Tosca,' sung by artistic prin-
cipaIs who have voices and can sing, for
its regalement the Washington amuse-
ment-loving public has had a memorable
week And, let ii be remembered, this
same public has testified its appreciation
of the fact by taxing the capacity OF four
of the largest theaters in the city at
every performance. Those who have
really meritorious entertainment to oner
need have little fear at any time of q
Washington venture. But at the same
time, last weeks experience has amply
demonstrated that Washington knows
how to respond when 1t is being treated
well, just as it knows what to do when
IT is being treated badly.
Notwithstanding the drawing attrac-
tions at the National. the Columbia, the
Belasco and Poll theaters. the patron
age of the smaller theaters has not been
diminished. but rather increased, accord
ing to report. When the big houses draw
well the small ones seem to benefit. on
the principal that enjoyment begets the
desire for enjoyment and once aroused
that desire is certain to be satisfied.
The Aborns are making splendid
CreUll themselves III NdSHlHSt Will
their English opera productions, and they
are doubtless feeling the benefit of it in
their box office receipts As long as they
continue to present what we are pleas ed
to term grand opera in English with
such productions as have characterized
last years and this seasons offerings at
the National Theater they may feel as
sured of two things Washington will
he /, and f6nvr in, f,,ry will
help Washington by helping to elevate its
musical taste. for there are many who
are patronizing the opera now who have
never felt attracted by it before. and
those who have long loved it are reveling
in the opportunity to crafty their long
ing for real music.
To the Butterfield Players at the Be-
1asco Theater must go the recognition
that follows the presentation Of a genu-
inc and enjoyable surprise. There has
never been a production presented in
Washington more meritorious than their
production of 1.-THE Spendthrift" last
week. 1t served to disclose a dramatic
force in the organization that may
frankly be admitted was not before sus-
pected. The work of Mr.. Bruce and Miss
Yurka in the leading roles must command
admiration for its stellar qualities. And
this praise does not come as the result
of comparison with the work of the other
companies. but is the just tribute to ex-
cellence on its own account. Washington
is proud of its three brilliant stock COM
panies, and it has shown that 1T will re-
ward their efforts with it's patronage and
applause whenever they deserve it.
rvUr
circus is ever growing. and like all good
things keeps growing better as the years
roll by, is exemplified. 1t IS promised, by
the greatest show on earth.' which
viii pitch its twenty acres Of canvas
here next Monday
Innovations crowd its program, the
most radical departure from traditions
being the elimination of the grand en-.
tree" No longer the wild zebus, the big
elephants, the fierce Ions and tigers and
the restless rhinoceros in their gilded
cages. the circus beauties I'm their
chariots of state and the proud eques-
TRANS encircle the hippodrome oval. They
viii all be supplanted by an Introductory
spectacle which cost 100000 to produce,
and whose Interpretation enl.sts the serv-
Ice of 1,2JO0 persons.
Cleopatra is again seen ruling Egypt
as she did one thousand nine hundred
and fifty-nine years ago, when Gen.
conquer the country. And what coun-
try! Splendors of rosy dawn in a tropic
sky above the beautiful city Of Alexan-
dra burst upon the eye as the great cur
tain. one whole city block in length, is
parted and drawn away. Priests adore
the rising sun. laborers and merchants
are busy, citizens and slaves throng the
market place; the ancient metropolis is
all astir
Then the rasping clangor of brazen
trumpets. Conquering Rome is at the
door The legions invest the city. Antony
holds the center Of the stage and a
glance reveals his ruthless program. His
helmet is in the ring: he's there for
"a fight to the finish
Cleopatra. herself lovelier than the dawn,
sends him letter, sort of conservative
standpat proposal. If one may judge by
the ferocity with which insurgent Antony
dashes 1t to the ground. Cleopatra tears
In two her crown Of pearls and rub.es,
and offers half of 1t to the conqueror
Scorn and hate repulse her.
The dainty serpent of the old Nile sur
renders, yet in yielding is most dan
gerous. One alluring droop OF her heavy
eyelids, and Antony's race is run. She
dazzles him with music. song, dancing
and gorgeous pageantry. He gives him.
self up to the wonderful fascinat.ons. At
the end he falls on his sword and Cleo
patra infiicts death on herself with the
bite OF the poisonous asp
The somber OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ow-is
drawn together and the spectators return
Iioth the ldnu OF encnantInent ana raw
ishing beauty. Lo. they are at the circus.
Elephants lumber into the rings: aero
bats and gymnasts. equilibrists and bare
Daek rders are whirling and leaping,
and the circus performance is on, better
bigger. newer and fuller of thrills, per-
haps. than ever.
COULDN'T PLAY DEAD.-A. S. Byron
one Of the Poll Players, and a clever char
acter actor, tells an amusing story of his
debut on the stage at the age of ten.
Byron was born in little Ohio town
Of 5000 inhabitants. In the same block
was the town hall, where stock COM
pany was playing a summer engagement
at the time when the actors career be-
gan. The boy had been hanging around
the theater for several weeks distributing
handbills in exchange for an occasional
seat in the peanut gallery" Then came
the fateful day that shaped this boys flu
ture.
\ play was to be produced in which a
dummy was to be an important prop
Rather than stuff q gunny sack the stage
manager decided to utilize the willing
services of young Byron. He was rehearsed
In the part for two hours-that In, he was
told TO lie quite still and stin and allow
himself to be carried on the stage and
dropped on the floor. The rehearsals went
beautifully. But when the first perform
ance was given one Of Byron's young
cronies in the gallery, who had learned
OF the aspiring Thespian's good for
tune. called out to him. Whereupon the
dummy" raised his head and looked
out over the audience. Cad" yelled