Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-31

dSeIHeNl Oh
Chase's Theater will not
commence formally until a
week from tomorrow, it is
announced from the Keith
headquarters in New York. The trans
fer of the theater from p. B.
Chase to Mr.. Keith has been con-
summated, and the curtain will rise
for the season tomorrow afternoon. But
T.. F. Albee. general manager of the
Keith theaters, announces that the new
arrangements opening Will be a week
later, "as Mr.. Keith desires his opening
in Washington to be a distinctive Keith
opening
The sale of Chase's was the biggest
news in theatrical circles in Washington
In long time. and was complete sur
prise. The departure of Mr.. Chase from
business activity here is a matter Of
keen regret, for the audiences which
were attracted to his theater proved
beyond question that Mr.. Chase fur
nished entertainments week after week
that were thoroughly enjoyed Mr.. Keith,
however has reputa.io of even wider
scope in the same line. and there may
well be keen anticipation of his bills.
The development of the motion picture
form of entertainment is shown by an
nouncements recently made. At both the
National and Columbia theaters a prelim-
mary. though brief. season Of moving pic
lures is announced.
BY their presentation III ''DiNorcons''
during the past week, the Columbia Play
ers have made their approaching depar-
lure all the harder. Audiences at the F
street playhouse last week unite in de-
ciaring they saw one of the most delight
full, If not the most delightful entertain
ments Of the season.
Paul McAIlister enlarged his following
in Washington by his gripping portrayal
of Syengali, the hypnotist, whose power
made Trilby's harsh voice one of appeal
ing sweetness. His versatility has been
put TO the test and praise has followed
JUST ONE ROLE AFTER ANOTHER
Mark Kent of the Poll Players has Gre
ated more characters in stock produc-
tons than are, as a rule, played in q
lifetime by dozen actors. When Mr.
Kent makes his final appearance on the
stage in tomorrow afternoons perform
snce in Hawthorne of the L. s A. he
will have added his esd role TO his roper
Tore TINS record seems positively ap-
palling when one calculates the amount
OF study IL represents. The versatile
member of the Poll cast made his first
appearance on the stage in the role of a
blacksmith in THE Hand of Fate
In the course of preparation for and
Interpretation of this long list of roles
Mr.. Kent has observed the methods OF 4
Seritable army of stage directors His
recollections of them are interesting and
at times very amusing. The greatest Of
y, a Ia.
greatest stage director the theater has
ever known, was Dion Boucicault stage
manager, author, playwright actor and
all-round genius. Boucicault. Mr. Kent
declares. could write a play. rehearse it,
paint the scenery, set the stage, act the
leading role and criticise the performance
and production.
Dion Boucicault's ideal was sim
picity,' says Mr.. Kent. He believed In
realism and naturalness. and his faVorite
observation was that elaborate scenery
could not make a play live one minute
longer than ii deserved. and if the pIay
was a good one the audience would for
get the stage settings in three minutes
Boucicault never permitted members of
his cast to make a single movement or
gesture on the stage that was not abso-
lutely necessary and just what the char.
acter would have done in real life.
shall never forget Henry Miller's expert
ence with the great actor playwright the
day the now famous star came under
Boucicaults management.
Mr.. Miller had just left Augustin
Days company DAILY invariably in
slructed his players to move about the