The Washington herald., 1912-11-03

who owns thrty-fvs productions, among
them the Lehar comic opera, '0ypsy
Love-" which he 10 bringing to the Ma
tional tomorrow night for weeks
engagement. says that the main trouble
with drama 10 that there are not enough
successes to all the theaters.
There are plenty Of audiences.' says
Mr.. Woods. III they are given what
they want. There IL nothing the mat
ter with American audiences. They are
just as solid. substantial. and plenti-
full a. ever. II successful plays can be
produced q manager does not have to
worry about audiences."
This statement has been sutstantiated
by Gypsy Love-" which is now PLAYING
at Daly's Theater. London. and from
present indications will remain there
several months longer. 1t is pro-
nounced the biggest musical hit which
London has eyer enjoyed. When 1t was
first produced several months ago by
manager. Charles Frohman. who hap
pened to be in London. cabled A. H.
Woods. offering him a fattering sum
for the American rights, but Mr..
Woods would not part with the piece.
OF the many important attractions
controlled by Manager Woods he con-
siders Gypsy Love" pre-eminent. an
opinion which has been backed by
Americas reception Of the operetta.
Washington theatergoers gave two
new productions the stamp of approval
last week. one being the American
premiere of ''Our Wives" with Henry
Kolker in the leading role, at the Ma
tional. and the other. Never Say Die"
the new farce written frankly for the
exploitation Of the peculiar talents of
william Collier.
"Our Wives" which ID. the American
lied version Of the German piece orig
inally produced under the title Of The
Friends Of Our YOUTH" with its change
Of title and locale. justified here the
favorable criticisms 1t received in the
various countries across the Big Creek
in which 1t was produced before Joseph
NJ. Gates secured the rights Of its
American production. The piece IL q
delicate satire with a decided strain of
sentiment: clever In lines: clean in pur-
pose. and was given its American debut
In this city last Monday night by q
we'll balanced company Of skillful play
ers which brought out all the shades
which stamp the piece a. . comedy Of
character.
Our Wives" goes directly to New York
from its Washington premiere with every
promise Of a successful metropolitan run.
William Golfers new farce Never
Say DE-" which was given its initial per-
formance in Rochester. N. Y, the week
preceding its presentation here. was we'll
received at the Belasco last week. Writ
ten by Mr.. Collier in conjunction with
w. H. Post. the piece furnishes a de-
lightful evening dominated by the IA
nous farceurs irresistible characterixa-
ton Of one Dionysius Woodbury., whose
failure to fulfill his physicians prom
ise of death within q month gets him
self into predicaments which are provo
cative Of uncomfortable laughter on the
part Of his audience. The impossible tale
which the play tells is SO interiarded
with the Collier type Of repartee. SO
brimful of the Collier personality. that
weak points in construction are forgot
ten.
Never Say Die" adds another link to
the chain Of productions which Mr.. Col
lier has helped to write. as well as as
sured success by his inimitable gift Of
comedy.