The Washington herald., 1913-10-19
Current Theatrical Week
Promises Hilarious Time
Gaby Deslys Is Not Included in Present Vistage
of Winter Garden Entertainers, Which Is
Decided Gain to the. Company
nz JULIA cHANpLER ,1ANz.

BY JULIA CHANDLER MANY.
When 'sThe Honeymoon Express
dashes from the New York Winter Gar
den into the Beiasco Theater this week
Washington theatergoers who have
evinced a strange apathy to things thea
trical since the inaugural of the present
season, should be brought to q realization
that the new dramatic year Is now In full
swing with some of the oest attractions
which 1t will bring to the Capital on the
roStrum of this, and the next few weeks,
for accounts which precede the Winter
Garden show indicate that it is the most
novel and pretentious yet dared by the
Messrs. Shubert, Unlike 1.-THE Whirl OF
Society,"" the new outlet for Al Jolson's
wit is said to tell coherent story, at the
same time emitting nothing Of the custo-
mary specialties with which IL has be-
come habit to associate the Shubert at
fractions, save Gaby, by whose absence
with Harry Pilcer in London the produc-
tion must, Of necessity be the gamer
since the lady Of the lilies is at best moth
ing more than a French fashion plate,
having neither vocal. histronic, nor terpsi-
chorean ability.
We are doubly grateful for her tarrying
In London since 1t affords dainty Juliette
Dika the opportunity of the role of lead
ing comedienne in the Winter Garden
show, the little miss whose delicious ac-
cent, and winsome charm you surely have
not forgotten II you were lucky enough
to have seen her in the leading role OF
THE Rose Maid" or under the Savage
management in 1.-The Wife Tanners, or
earlier still in THE Red Mill" and other
Dillingham; productions, prior to all OF
which she won considerable success In
her own native France in "Divorcons."
aw,d nj n
Miracle"
Figuring with Mile. Dika in the head
light of the Shubert Limited is Al JolSon,
a Washington favorite not only because
he was born in this city (from which he
ran away to join a circus now twenty
seven years ago), and has scores OF per-
sonal friends here, but because he has tho
real gift OF comedy and success in getting
ii over the footiights through methods
embracing both the legitimate and other
wise-or so it has been in days gone by.
The good news comes that, in his role of
chief comedian Of THE Honeymoon Ex-
press" he manages without throwing
himself bodily into the audience, which
Is indicative of developing good taste on
he part of either the comedian or his
managers.
Another featured member of the Winter
Garden Company is Anna Wheaton, who,
although under contract for THE Honey
moon Express" was loaned by the
Messrs. Shubert for the original produc-
ton of Philip Bartholoma's When
Dreams Come True" in which she won
snviable attention. Add to the specialties
Of Al Jolson, Juliette Dika, and Anna
Wheaton, the clever chatter of Ada
Lewis, the musicianly work of Melville
Ellis, and the cleverness of score or
more of other notable entertainers, whose
aim it is to raise a laugh minute,
spectacular production and widely adver-
tised chorus and you have the full
promise in nutshell of the Shubert show
at the Belasco this week.
Folk who were sufficiently fortunate as
TO have seen the first Washington pro-
1uction of Rupert Hughes conception OF
the absurd possibilities of Pullman
journey in an overland limited as express
ed in Excuse Me- at the Belasco Thea
ter two seasons past have not forgotten
the genuine humor of the string Of incl
dents in the journey of a train-load Of
people bound for, Reno, and will be
pleased to know that they may again
follow them through their irritations, and
the farcical situations in which they re-
peatedIy find themselves, at the Columbia
Theater this week. When seen here be-
ing of the happiest possible entertain
nent, being delightfully."- satirical in vein,
and clever in presentation.
Less frothy is the outlook at the New
National which offers Elsie Ferguson in
THE Strange Woman a new play by
William Hurlbut, a comparatively new
playwrite who was first seen on the
theatrical horizon with ''The Writing On
the WALL something of an expose of the |
tenements controlled by the Trinity !
Church corporation in New York, which |
olga Nethersole retained in her repertoire |
for a couple of years.
Mr.. HurIbut's best known play is THE |
Fighting Hope" which David Belasco |
Produced as a starring vehicle for Blanche |
Bates. The author of THE Strange |
Woman" collaboTated with Harry B. |
smith two years ago in the writing of |
Little Miss Fix-It." which served for the |
exploitation of Nora Bayes and Alice |
Lloyd. These are the dramatic efforts |
which Mr.. HurIbut counts successes, |
frankly placing THE Lone Hand" of |
which he is the author on the wrong side
of the ledger.
Whatever may or may not be the merits
Of The Strange Woman" which had its |
premiere in Atlantic City a couple Of
weeks ago, Miss Ferguson, in the title
role, is sure of a warm Washington well
come, and the hope of her many friends
N this city that she has at last found
starring vehicle worthy of her gifts a
good fortune which has never yet been
hers. She was last seen here in THE
First Lady of the Land originally pro-
5uced at the Columbia Theater under the
title of Dolly Madison The piece was
scarcely more than a historical setting /
for very winsome Characterization given /
by Miss Ferguson of the heroine-impos-
sibIe as a play, and inadequate for the |
full presentation OF Miss FergGson's
ability.
Last season she was presented in
Primrose" a fragile and picturesque
play which was produced by Klaw and
E,rlanger at the Blackstone Theater, Chi
.ago, January 6. 1872, in role which gave
her even less of a chance than the one
created by her in THE First Lady of the
Land" Primrose" was accorded but a /
tepid reception, and Miss Ferguson was
chosen for leading roles in
tho revivaIs of "Rosedale' and "Arizona''
until a suitable play could be found for
ler.
Under the Klaw and Erlanger manage