The Washington times., 1912-08-20
Julia Murdock Says Chase,s Meou
Theater Is Even Beyond Expectations

eumptuous with It's decorations of rich
crimson satin and velvet and gold, the
new Chase's Theater was thrown open
to the public yesterday afternoon ex-
actly on schedule time, to the minute a
perfect theater, complete even to the
most infinitesimal detail, wonderful
and surprising achievement, even III
this CITY of astonishing attainments.
II seemed as though nothing tna'
could have been thought Of for the COM
fort and convenience of theater-soers
had been forgotten, and this new play
house, an ornament to washington
comes as near ones idea of what a per-
feet theater should be as the most fas-
tidious could desire. When the gorge
CUB red-and-gol curtain went>up on the
first number 1900 pairs of hands clapped
30 loud and SO long that It was with the
greatest difficulty that the kilue-clad
Gordon Musical Highlanders could be
heard above the pleasant noise that
signaled a welcome to them.
Every seat in the house had been
taken, and people were standing several
rows deep, for it was an auspicious oc-
casion, and one that will linger long In
the memory of those who made up yes
terday's audiences. A number OF ois'
tinguished men and women, and practi-
cally all of Washington's summer thea
trical colony, were present ana many aa. NJ NJ
the boxes were occupied by pieasan,
little parties that had been arranged
months since.
Taft, accompanied by his brother-in-
law, w. c. Heron, and his aide, Major
Rhoades, occupied box as guests ol
the management
At the opening matinee Mr. and Mrs
8. y. Poll, of the Poll chain OF theaters
occupied one Of the boxes.
Everybody in Good Humor
And Willing to Show It.
1t was many minutes before the ap.
plause had subsidized sufficiently for the
musicians to proceed with their we'll
chosen. program of Scotch melodies
songs, and dances. and after they nae
finished their number 1t was severa
minutes more before the next number
could be announced because of the ap
plause. Everybody was in a happy
humor, and perhaps the happiest amone
those assembled in the artistic play
house were the owner himself mi Mr
nifred Dewitt, both of whom wer'
showered with congratulations In tn
way of kilograms. letters, flowers, ant
hearty handshakes.
The program was a well chosen one
and everything went like clock work
without a single accident or delay. TIL
most pretentious number on was IN
delightful little Japanese sketch, "Th
Return of Tori San," breathing th
fragrant atmosphere OF the Land o
the Cherry Blossoms, from which til
little heroine of the playlet comes
Mabel Taliaferro, who is pleasantly re
membered in Washington for her worl
as Polly, in "Polly of the Circus" es
sayed the part of the American girl
who, masquerading as a japanese girl
discovers the true character of he
fiance, Just in time to save herself. Sh
is daintlness personified in this part
and her bit of emotional acting at tn
close of the sketch was decidedly ar
tistic. The playlet is beautifully mount
ed, with picturesque Japanese acces
sories.
"Don," an Equine Marvel,
Pleases the Audience.
Next in Importance on the bill 1
Don" the horse who seems endowe
with almost human wisdom. Don cal
laugh at his own antics. and can do
large number of wonderful tricks. in
cIuding the writing of letter to him
self; adding numbers without any al
from his master, and telling the colo
/ of any gown worn by any lady in tn
audience. Quite as Interesting as Dol
ia his master, who seems 10 have thi
wonderful animal under control throug