Evening star., 1914-05-03

lengthen the hours of daylight
and the tickle hat of straw is
asserting its arbitrary rule.
Washington is to have another
Belasco premiere. Under any circum-
stances the announcement would excite
keen interest because it has been
rare thing in the career of the master
artist of the stage world to risk dis
appointment. But added to Belascos s
fame, as guarantee. and the fact that
the new playwright's product has so
tntrenched itself in the esteem of the
great producer that he announces 1t
for a leading Belasco attraction next
season. is the fact that Frederick Bal
lard, the playwright has already won
notable success with his comedy. Be
Meve Me, Xantippe.' Mr.. Belasco has
not lost his faith in a Washington first
impression. AS money saver 1t is a
bit of a mascot.
Neil O'Brien is TO be complimented
upon his splendid minstrel aggregation
as we'll as upon the refreshing novelty
of its performance. But when all is
said and done there will be those who
still retain their affection for the old
time minstrel show" Like the circus
knowledge. ripe with age and hoary
10th to see 1t disappear no matter how
glittering and meritorious may be the
novelty which seeks to replace it.
i
Miss Elsa Ryan and her supporting
company, although forced to play a sort
of second fiddle to the organization
s,b 10 -
In New York. nevertheless have scored
q notable success on the road. Washing
ton has given them warm welcome each
time they have come this way. and its
cordiality is deep and sincere enough to
outlast the two demands made upon it.
The play Is a charming little comedy. in
which the quaint character Of Peg is the
central sun. 1t really matters but little
to the playgoer whether Miss Ryan or
Miss Laurette Taylor wife of the play
wright, is the Pes. Much genuine and
Justly deserved enthusiasm may be hung
upon either without giving annoyance to
the other.
Early in his Washington career, Mr..
Earle Brown has compelled admiration
Of his ability as an actor OF sterling quail
ties. His work as Sir Jasper Thorn
dyke in Rosemary with the Columbia
Players last week. was a revelation of
sxcellance to local stock patrons, whose
hopes for tho future have reached high
POINT Of expectation promised by Miss
Violet Heming as this seasons leading
woman. The company. as a whole, seems
splsndidly balanced and effective, fact
that must be gratifying to theatergoers
WHO furnish many capacity audiences at
ytock performances during the warm
days Of summer.
The much taiked-of farce comedy, of
Acsr 660," which Washington would not
have seen yet but for the zeal with which
the Poll management Is catering to local
amusement lovers. added avoirdupois to
the population Of Washington last week.
II there be truth In the old adage that to
laugh is to grow fat The Poll Players
are entitled to much credit for their clev-
or performance. that received the warm
est approval from large and laughing au-
diences throughout the week.
AS Washington has watched the road
attractions Of the regular season improve
in number and quality since the stock
companies have won SO large a measure
Of success with their presentations. so It
has seen as the result of the improved
character of the attractions at the popu-
lar vaudeville houses those offered as
big time features grow In charm and
merit. And yet behind them all Is the
moving picture phantom with finger
pointing to the future with warning ges-
ture.
Soon the ever popular Aborn English
grand opera season will return with Its
musical charm While the expert reviewer
nay believe that its performances fall
ahort Of the merit Of the great metropoli-
TN organisations of the country, the
asss ohsesver can detect a benefit from
tAsm. which 10 denied by the greater ag-
oa0Att1na. In the familiarizing Of the
0unssal pubic with the beauties Of real
u1sIc - an antdots to the middle-aged
snGeams and romp measure Of the tango