The Washington herald., 1914-10-11

the Columbia this week. having sue
ceeded Clifton Crawford in the leading
role. Mr.. Crawford. who is the COM
poser Of the score. became a Broadway
star when the piece was originally pre-
sented at the Park Theater, New York,
in which production Rita Stanwood, Har-
ry Farleigh, Harriet Burt, and Edwin
Nicander were prominent in the cast.
Mr. Crawford shares the honor for the
score which so pleased the theater-
goers OF the metropolis with Augustus
Barratt, while Claiming Pollock and
| Rennold Wolf wrote the book, a fact
which should assure US a coherent and
! interesting plot which is a rare and
much to be desired asset Of the musical
\ show.
Before the days Of his collaboration
| with Mr.. Wolf, Mr.. Pollock had at
| tracted attention as an author His first
| successful effort eliminated in the dram
atization Of William Morris noted novel,
| The Pit" which was used as a vehicle
| for Wilton Lackye for several years.
His other plays include In the Bishops
| Carriage" The Little Gray Lady"
Such a Little Queen" The Secret
Orchard" Clothes" The Inner Shrine"
and The Emperor Napoleon" most of
which are dramatizations Of popular
novels. few of them achieving any re-
, markable success as dramas.
In his connection with Mr.. Wolf. Mr..
Pollock has been more successful, my
Best Girl The Beauty Shop" and
The Red Widow" being among their
best liked collaborations They are at
present at work on a new piece, and
have contracts calling for three more.
When announcement is made of any
local engagement of Otis Skinner the
public needs no assurance from the press
that II will not be cheated for Mr.
SINNERS is a name which stands for
the highest and most intellectual quality
there is in dramatic art on the English
speaking stage today. For three sea-
sons now We have reveled in his con-
summate artistry In his portrayal OF
HadJ, the Beggar, in the spectacular
production Of "Kismet" each time at the
New National Theater, SO that it will be
matter of more than casual interest
to witness his return to straight drama
in the role Of a rich and modern man
when he makes his first metropolitan ap-
pearance in The Silent Voice." a new
play fro mthe pen Of Jules Eckert
Goodman, which will have its practical
premiere here tomorrow night
Aside from the dramatic event of a
new play from the author OF ''Mother''
and Mr.. SINNERS appearance in the first
modern role in which he has been seen
for long time, this. the opening of his
new season, is distinguished by another
point Of extreme interest in that it brings
back Mrs. Otis Skinner CNaud Durbin) to
the stage.
Mrs. Skinner, who has not been on the
professional boards for a number of
years, began her stage life and first met
her husband at the time Nine Modjeska
produced Henry Eighth" upon a very
lavish scale in New York City Miss
Durbin read the prologue in a manner
which won the prediction OF a notable
future for her. When Mr.. Skinner de-
cided to venture into the land Of star
dom Miss Durbin became his leading
woman, and before the end Of the first
year they were married.
In all Mr. SINNERS earlier playx
Shakespearean and romantic, Mrs. Skin
ner was his leading woman, but when a
little daughter came to bless the union
Mrs. Skinner considered that her first
duty was at home, and her retirement
from the footlights caused sincere re-
gret.
In the years OF her absence from the |
stage Mrs. Skinner has not ceased to be |
heard in the matter OF things theatrical, |
however, for she has been a factor in the |
history Of the Drama League Of America, |
has written several one-act plays which |
have been produced with success, and
contributed to literature a number Of ex-
cellent stories.
The role in which she will appear to- |
morrow night, when we are to pass first |
judgment on The Silent Voice." is that /
OF a charming and lovable woman whose |
mission is that Of peacemaker; a role to |
which those who have seen the new play /
in rehearsal tell me she is particularly |
well suited. ..r