The Washington times., 1912-03-19
Julia Murdock Describes Reception
Accorded Ne1v Columbia Players

Literally buried beneath veritable
haystack of pink roses, fragrant and
beautiful, and holding in her arms a
sheaf Of long stemmed American Beau
ties, so tall that they topped her figure,
Frances Nelson last evening in the
Columbia Theater told the large and
ultra-enthusiastic audience that filled
every seat and spilled over into the
aisles, just exactly what she thought
OF 1t. 1t was a delightfully naive little
speech, which she sent across the foot
lights, a speech In which she thanked
everybody In the audience for the cor
dial reception that had been rendered
herself and her co-workers of the Co
lumbia Players, which opened its sum.
mer season last evening.
Roses, violets, apd lilies Of the valley
had been showeNd upon this popular
leading woman until she was hidden
from sight, and George w. Barber, who
last evening acted as master of cere.
monies, was forced to serve as assist.
ant flower bearer to the queen Of last
nights event, to dig her out, as II
were, from the floral mound In which
she was imbedded, before 1t was DOS.
sible for her to make the bubbling and
graceful little speech in which she
thanked everybody for the kind recep.
tion that was rendered her and the com.
pany or which she is the leading lady.
Speeches From Other
Members of Company.
Then Mr.. Barber, still acting as mas.
ter of ceremonies, introduced the Other
woman members of the company: Miss
Julia Blanc, whose face is new in the
ranks OF the Columbia Players. He ex.
planned that Miss Blanc was formerly
member of the New Theater Com.
pany, of New York, that compan,
that was so good that 1t didn't live
long, She. too, in a charming little
speech. told the audience that she hoped
they would like her here in Washing
ton, and admitted that she was tickled
10 death to have become a member OF
SO well liked a body as the Columbis
to her.
After that Miss Doris Woodbridge, al
exceedingly and graceful member III
the Players, wearing a mighty becom
ing pink frock, said a few kind word.
OF appreciation for the reception tho
company had been rendered last night
and st said she hoped that they woult
Then Miss Carrie Thatcher, who II
pleasantly remembered for her work o.
last season, was presented, and more
flowers found their way across the foot
lights, and she, too, told everybod,
how glad she was to be there, anc
how she just knew they would be a!
kind to her this season as they wer,
| last.
She was succeeded by every remainin,
| woman of the company, all except one
who was not taking part in last even
| ing's performance, but who, Mr.. Bar
bier explained, was occupying a boz
with friends. He dared her TO max,
herself known to the audience. but thi
she refused to do. Her name was an
plauded, anyway, just on general prin
ciples. and because the audience wa
in the most cordial humor and Just fel
as though it must applaud some one. Ii
fact it was the most enthusiastic audi
ence, Manager Berger said. that ha
ever assembled in the Columbia Theater
| Long before the overture was playe,
they applauded the handsome new dro
curtain, which Is the artistic work o
Ernest Maughlin. They applauded tn
orchestra when it made It's appear
ance. and they applauded some NOR
when Director Carl H. Smith lifted hi