The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-03-10
WELCOME AWAITS
STOCK COMPANY At
COLUMBIA THEATER
Julia Murdoch Predicts an
Ovation on the Open
a. ing Night.

When the curtain goes up one week
from tomorrow night on the first offer
ing of tho Columbia Players. The Rose
of the Rancho" II il certain that this
company will receive an ovation from
Washington playsocrs, who have
!. learned to look for something out of
the ordinary from this company in the
matter of personnel and lavishncss of
production. 1t Is an organization whose
consistently fine work in the past has
made its patronage unvaryng, and as
was the case last summer, following
q season of twenty-five weeks here, in
ddced is admirers to journey by train
load 20 Baltimore when the company's
Held of labor vas transferred to that
city. If the iigsrcs given by the rail
roads do not lie. even Booth and Bar
rett never attracted half the crowds 10
Baltimore that this company did
The secret of the popularity Of this
body of players. as admitted BY Man
agcr Fred s. Berger and the Co-dircc-
tors, Messrs. Frank and Oliver S. Met
-EzcrOtt. Is purely matter Of established
.inever failed to Eeep absolute faith with
their patrons in providing whatever they
/, advertised, and, what is more, in these
days OF problem play exploits it is
never necessary to question the pro.
/, nriety of attending an Offering of tho
n Columbia Players, as no play is ever
n given moments consideration by these
managers that his in IT II single suS-
Eestion, lire. or situation that could
offend The most prIl.lish.
History of Organization.
A word as to the history of this or
, Eaniaation:
1t had its birth three years ago coin
Cidentally with the return of the con-
troll of the Columbia Theater to its
owners, the Metzerotts. The curtain FIRST
rose on May 8 1909. on THE Three OF
Us" as the Offering. Then followed IN
weekly succession The Little Minister, 8
Merely Mary Ann" "A Royal Family"
"Prince Chap" Are You a Mason"
My Wife," The Man on the Box, ="
In the Bishops Carriage" The Man
from Mexico" when We Were Twen-
ty-One," Mrs. Temples Telegram
The Adventures of Lady Ursula, >
husband, Orme Caldara. were the lead
ing people during this season, which
terminated August % with the three-act
farce, 1.-The Girl from the Circus
Julia Dean returned the following sea-
son. but before its close, by reason of
i'll health, was compelled to retire from
the company, and her place was taken
by Blanche Hall. The leading man was
Paul McAllister. The season again
opened the first Monday in May with
''Brewster's Millions
Frances Nelson made her advent with
the company as leading woman last
season, and rapidly developed into one
of the most popular actresses the city
has ever entertained. Since RETURNING
here for rchearsals the last week the
evidences of devotion to her on the part
of her enormous following have beer
touching. Henry Mortimer began the
season as leading man. but was SoOT
81 replaced by a. II. Van Buren,
Last Seasons Opening.
The season last year opened two
3 weeks earlier than had been the pre-
= vious practice, commencing April II
Y,with an elaborate production OF
Sweet Kitty Bellaires."
p The final performance of the season
s, was one of the most memorable in the
4 history of Washington theaters. The
Z house was completely sold out two
q weeks before the event. and for days
9 people had been advertising for seats a
4 any price.
~ The new corners announced are Edwin
2. r. Robins, the new leading man; J
y Hammond Bailey, Jerome Renner
= Ernest Maughlin, Aline McDermott
n Julia Blanc and DirriS Woolridge Al
q have been specially selected with refer
y ence to their particular capacity fol
v stock work, and Managers Metzrott anC
q Berger are confident the organization
u Will be superior in every respect to any
3 ever before brought to this city.
q JULIA MURDOCH.