Evening star., 1913-12-07

Is Sb IiGCll itA t&CSSS ol ttfS sup
~ ply OF plays that producers arc
u sometimes driven to methods
which call in the laws of chance
10 sustain hopes not always based on per-
sonai Judgment, the appearance of an oc-
casional misfit is to be expected. The
Land OF Promise is not a Billie Burke
play. On the opening night suggestion
of sheer brutality intruded as the climax
OF the third act. 1t was consistent play
writing. as popular taste in such matters
now stands. The realist has full sway.
and in the desire to avoid old-time send-
mentality sentiment itself is violated. The
harshness of that particular scene was
modified. and those who saw the piece
later in the week gained far more ia
vorable impression OF it,
1t does not seem to be the privilege of
the player to revel in perennial youth, as
it was when Lotta charmed, when Maggie
Mitchell exerted the irresistible appeal Of
personal magnetism, when Dion Bouci-
cault was the merriest OF Shaugrauns,
when Joseph Jefferson aroused envy for
Rip Van Wrinkles boyish hght-hearted-
ness. or Stuart Robson played Bertie the
Lamb with a juvenile grace which any
college man might envy. The art of keep
ing young was regarded as one of the es-
sential requirements of theatrical life 1t
seems to be discouraged at present. Act
resses step from joyous girlhood to SOM
ber maternity in assipgle season. The ad-
nlirers OF Miss Burke did not expect to
ind her leaving youth behind, TO battle
he MI of.
sale existence. Her public was as much
surprised to find her in the inhospitabie
wilds of North America as Ethel Barry
more's was to discover her suddenly
foundering in 'Mid-Channei. The i'm
preston could hardly be more disturbing
If sedate, lovable John Drew were to come
TO town with a colored cotton handker-
chief around his neck instead OF a high
collar and show an astonished public
what he could do as BIZ Sykes
Another new play. The Prodigai
Judge" was revealed at the Columbia
Theater. The dramatization did not sat
isfy those who had read the novel from
which it was made. The development Of
the story is rather erratic and the per-
formance depends entirely on the won
derfully fine characterization of the title
role by MIR. Fawcett The judge is as
iaScinatingly irresponsible as Micawber
himself, and in voice, pose and gesture
the star realized the part. The role finds
little assistance in the way of striking
lines. The humor and originality which
might have made the central character
strong enough to carry the entire play
have not been supplied. The performance
outside the portrayal of this role rests
solely on it's narrative interest.
1.-THE Blue Bird relights two widely
separated classes of playgoers-those who
wish to be amused without thinking and
those who wish to think intensely. Its
beautiful scenes. fantastical as dreaming
itself. appeal powerfully 10 children. It's
philosophical suggestions, as ruthless in
their skepticism concerning human life
and it's future as that of old Omar. in
vites TO speculations which are likely to
wander Tar into metaphysical abstrac-
tions. PHILANDER JOHNSON.
PREACHIN BILL SAYS.-There is q
character in The Shepherd of the Hills
called Preachin' Bill. Despite the rough
ness OF his character. he has some strik-
ing philosophy. Some OF his sayings are:
Some fellers can do mighty big things
il burned little way
Every hound has his strong points, but
some has more of en-
God Almighty fixed il somehow so tn
birds and yaruints don't make no mis-
take, but left II plumb easy for men and
ssoLlen q make burned fools of them
selves
Hits good fer a feIler I be down in
ne back onct Ia a while, il hit warn't for
nat we'd git to standin' so burned proud
and straight we'd go plumb over back
wards"
PROGRESS MEASURED BY THE
FOOT.-Burton Holmes, who was in
China last summer studying the many
changes which are taking place in the
principal cities of this interesting ma
tion. says:
"a visitor to China today might almost
bs allowed to say that the progress Of
the new republic - measurable by the
foot, for the manifestations of change In
all that j saw might be typified by the
cutting on OF many thousands OF feet OF
'p1gtails' among the men and the normal
growth now permitted to hundreds Of
of tho present day.
I'm the day OF the empire the feet OF
babies born In the Chinese four hundred
were swathed IN oandages to prevent their
growth, a. feet were quite an unneces-
say luxury. no Chinese lady being ex-
pected to walk 30 long as her father or
husband bad coolies to carry her.
To-day. however. all that is changed.
aa any one can see by contrasting q pair
Of ladies' shoes worn during the empire
with the modern product manufactured
for the up-todate members Of the fair
sex"