Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-06

A NEW LEADING MAN.-Thuriow
Bergen, who is announced as the new
leading man for the Poll Players, open
ing the week of April a. is not stran-
ger to Washington. He came to the CAP
ital when a boy and for number OF
years lived In the home OF James r.
Fitch on Rhode Island avenue, which the
nation subsequently bought rom Mr.
Fitch and presented TO Admlrai DeWey
after his victory at Manila
Mr. Bergen began his stage career with
Sol Smith Russell at the Garden Theater.
New York in 1.-The Bachelors Romance.
In the same cast were Miss Annie Russell
played opposite Mr.. Bergen. He was
the first leading man to appear with
Rose Coughlan in vaudeville and was Tor
several seasons a member OF the MAI
Goodwin Maxine Elliott company.
1t has fallen to the lot of Mr.. Bergen
to appear in four all-star productions IN
New York within recent years-"Monte
Cristo." 1.-The Christian" diplomacy.
and Jim the Penman." Last summer he
headed the Bergen Players In Seattle.
Before that he was a favor1te with the
playgoers of st. Paul for several seasons.
He has also appeared in San Francisco as
co-star with Florence Roberts in the
Alcazar productions.
SHAKESPEAREAN PRODUCTIONS
sit is my ambition recently remarked
Robert B. Mantell. Ito present the plays
of Shakespeare, not as they were pre-
scented in the days of Queen Elizabeth.
but as the author would have them pre-
scented were he living today.
From everything we know OF Shake
speare. there is the best of reason to be-
heve that he was thoroughly up-to-d date.
and even a trifie in advance OF his time.
He made use Of every mechanical device
recognized as effective on the stage of
his day. and he and Burbage and his
other associates doubtless prided them
selves upon the excellence OF their pro-
auctions.
Were Shakespeare living now. I have
not the least doubt that he would seize
eagerly upon every new electrical tnven-
ton that would make q storm scene ef-
fective, and every new combination or
lights and paint that would reproduce on
OF his Imagination. For that reason. I
do not hesitate minute to make my
production as effective pictorially as l
can
WORTHLESS WORK FOR ACTORS
When the talking movies" were given
their first public presentation in New
York city hundreds shouted for speech
from Edison who they knew was at
the helm. One OF the inventors right
bowers appeared at the footHghts, ana
stated that Mr. Edison refused to make
speech, out had deputed MIN 10 thahh the
audience for the generous reception &C
corded the invention. and hoped that 1t
would help amuse the American people.
The applause became even more insistent
Mr. Edison realized that the audience
would have its way If he remained. he
left the theater.
Mr. Edison's prophecies, II he Is cor
rectly recorded. are rather startling. he
81 quoted to this effect: This Will stop
touring by stars. Great artists viii act
a
minutes. and let the records work for
them while they enjoy life think these
talking pictures win result Id voorhees,
work on the part of our stage celebrities.
Just think! Irving might have been ahve
today II he had recorded his great roles
IN this fashion and sent the records tour
ing around the world while he played
golf at home!"