The Washington times., 1913-04-15
Fine Openings for Stock Company
Stars Here, Says Julia Murdock

r THINK that last night was Of great
er local interest to Washington thea
ter-goers than any this city has had
since one year ago last night, when
the Poll Company came into Washing
ton unheralded and practically unknown
and opened its doors to the public Of the
Capiatl City, the Butterfield Players at
the same time opening their stock sea-
son at the Belasco.
A year has passed and 1t has played
some clever and surprising little tricks
upon the theater-going public. 1t has
shifted two or three players from one
house to another, like checkers upon a
checker board. and has brought several
one house last night 1t seemed more
like homecoming reception than like
stock opening, and 1t served to give
Washington a new leading man In the
person Of Thuriow Bergen.
According to all reports. and to Judge
from his fine work last night. this new
addition to our theatrical colony will
soon become a favorite and establish
a fame for himself in the Capita City.
The Columbia Players opening night
was an enjoyable and auspicious event
None the less auspicious, though per-
haps not quite of SO large proportions,
was the welcome accorded the new
leading man of the Poll Players. In
the T street playhouse not a seat was
lef. vacant. and people stood patiently
back their old favorites. The chief in
terest OF course. was centered upon
the new leading woman. Miss Helen
Holmes, who was seen in the leading
role Of Clothes" re comedy in which
MANI sparkling u. 8 divide interest
players.
An impression O Miss Holmes has
been so recently published in these
columns that IL Is unnecessary to re-
gifted young woman. Last night she
entirely fulfilled the prediction that
was then made Of her She was radi-
antly beautiful. and won admiration
from the entire audience.
Play Chosen
Proves Interesting.
Though the play chosen to open the
fifth season OF the Columbia Stock
old dictum Of william Shakespeare,
the plays the thing" was brushed
aside last evening. and the players.
rather than their vehicle came in for
the greater share of interest. AS a
matter Of fact the offering might have
been Uncle Tom" SO far as the audi
ence was concerned They wanted to
of the company. and to greet the old
favorites who have been identified with
the Columbia Stock Company in sea-
sons past. Therefore it was more like
a pink tea than a regular performance.
crowded at the back of the orchestra
while behind the scenes-well, who can
tell what the sensations of the players
were when they peeked through the
curtain at the happy. eager audience.
nlIr tot ffN- SIN,r
were to fulfill? 1t must be overwhelm-
ing to feel that so many are glad to
see one, but when they show II by max
ing a noise for five minutes-you can
imagine how Miss Carrie Thatcher felt
when the curtain rose. Personally,
would have crawled under a table. or
hidden beriad a palm. but after a win
ter In the middle West Miss Thatcher
was just as glad to welcome the audi
ence as they were to welcome her. 50
she managed to kiss her hand to them
very bravely.
Then. one by one the players began
to come on each one receiving a noisy
and sincere hand" They certainly did
look well IN their clothes. OF course.
the men wore evening clothes and did
not look any different than they usually
do. but the women!
There was Mrs. Waiting, Miss Carrie
Thatcher; Mrs. Maxwell, Miss Dorothy
Bernard. who looked like a little yell
low canary percned up on the table in
the Watlings conservatory: and Patience
FyIes. Miss Glendinning, who was
dressed up like an old maid. so plain
and drab and strange looking that the
audience did not recognize her at first,
and almost forgot to applaud. But she
blossomed forth in the last part of the
first act and after pulling her curls ont.
opening her gown at the throat and
rolling up her sleeves she was given
the rousng reception which was denied
her on her entrance.
Mrs Cathcart. Miss Frances Younge,
new member OF the company who
was made to feel quite at home by
generous audience; Mrs. Conningsby
Lowe, Miss Airline Pretty, who is re-
membered pleasantly from last year:
and that person about whom so much
interest has settled of late. the new
leading woman, Miss Helen Holmes.
With every one keyed up to the highest
pitch of curiosity. Miss Holmes con-
Quoted herself with unassuming gra-
ciousness and such charm OF manner
that she won the hearts of everyone at
once Her work as the heroine Of the
sartorial satire was deep, convincing
and promises many good things for the
future.
At the close of the first act Stage
You Get Dependable FREEZING SALT