The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-12-14
ReDiew of the Past Week
In New York ThedterS

much-subdued husband of the rich wom-
an, and a number of child actors as chill
dren of the tenement
Getting over two big ''ifs"-if any ex-
cept a very b. play can make hit at
this season. and If there exists in New
York's play-going public any such thing
as Christmas sentiment-"The Things
that Count may possibly catch on.
Richard Strauss Again.
overshadowing all other amusement
events of the week is the arrival of
Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier"
CThe knight of the Rose) at the Met
ropolitan Opera House. The composer of
Electra" and "Salome- has permitted
opera bouffe so that this work falls
really into the realm of popular enter
tainment, although the usual Straussian
intricacy of orchestration will probably
keep "Rosenkayalier" from ever being
performed by any but very ambitious
organizations. Besides that, Strauss is
very particular and exacting in the hand
ling of his copyrights. which is another
reason for small chance of the piece be-
ing done in popular style, at any rate In
the near future.
Two excellent comedy roles are pro-
vided by the opera, those of the hero and
the festive baron. Marguerite Ober has
made herself famous in Europe by her
acting in the title part She makes a
stunning looking youth and when she dis
guises herself in skirts does not revert to
her own sex, but in humorously awkward
and most artistic fashion preserves the
illusion of a man in woman's garb. 1t rs
bit of impersonation which would not
! be discredit to the dramatic stage. The
Baron of Otto Goritz is a bit of very well
done low comedy.
1t seems strange to admit IL of Richard
Strauss. but the score Is in many places
delightfully."- melodious and in others has
some of the humorous touches employed
in his Domestic Symphony. There is
comparatively little of the cacophony
that marks his serious works.
Der RosenkavaIier'' is delightfully."-
amusing and it is a surprise to find any
thing so frivolous in many ways on the
exalted stage of the Metropolitan.
Oscar Down and Out.
The latest decision has probably dealt
the final blow to Mr.. Oscar Hammer
STEMS attempt to evade his solemn con-
tract with the Metropolitan people, and
for which he was paid in good faith a
very large sum of money. Not only have
his brazen efforts to secure the indorse-
ment of our courts in HIS attempt to es-
cape from his legal and moral obliga-
lions been unsuccessful but in France
the artists he engaged for his new opera
house, which is almost completed, have
tied up the money and securities he de-
posted in various banks as security for
their contracts with him.
If Hammerstein had been able to win
his case by some subterfuge Of the law
there are enough persons in this town
who are ready to applaud success Of any
kind, no matter how obtained, that he
might have obtained considerable pat
ronage in his operate venture. Now, de-
feated legally, discredited in the eyes of
every one with any sense Of integrity.
and crippled in his resources. il seems
as though he may be on the way to the
deserved obscurity which will be his
greatest punishment
The theatrical bill of fare still remains
diversified and abundant. By way Of ap-
petizers are such racy bits as Madam
President" the frisky French farce. with
Fanny Ward and the spicy comedies at
the Princess. More nourishing are
wholesome Peg o. Ny Heart and
charming Elsie Ferguson In "A Strange
Woman" OF higher flavor is "Tante,"
with Ethel Barrymore OF solid artistic
value are the performances of Forbes
Robertson. and in lighter vein those of
Mr.. Cyril Maude. For the palate that en-
joys being tickled by Jewish fun, Pot
ash and Perlmutter," as well as Mr..
David WarfieId in the concluding per-
formances of THE Auctioneer," will be
found acceptable. THE Man Inside
and AT Bay are for those who crave
the strong meat of melodrama. Far
more delicate is dainty and poetic "Pru-
nella." The joy of laughter will be found
in witty. Irish General John Regain"
and in the farcical comedies, Nearly
Married. and The Marriage Game" For
light music there are Adele" and THE
Madcap Duchess" And all the time Is
the bigness and brilliancy of the Hippo
drOme