The Washington times., 1914-10-18
SOMELEFT-OVERS FOR THE
THEATER OILERS
Bv GARDNER MACK

. tellgence with the highest form of abil-
ity. The man who works for the public
as theaterical managers do. and de-
ponds on the public as theatrical man.
ayers must depend, can never succeed
by treating the public as something
even think down
Nj. Dietrichstein, to recall the name
but not the subject matter from the
first paragraph, is generally credited
with having made a ten strike with
The Phantom Rival" the newest of
his adaptations, in which MI. Belasco
has seen fit to star the adapter. The
play is OF Hungarian origin. and is
from the pen OF Franc Molnar. the man
who wrote The, Devil and Where
Ignorance is Bliss.
The story OF liIe play is fantastic, but
entirely plausible. 1t deals with the
theory that somewhere in her heart
every woman has a lingering fondness
for her first love. The lady of the play
sees the hero of her first affair in a
restaurant where she rs dining with her
husband. The affair had a most pro-
sale ending when the hero. thereof re-
great artist, statesman or general, and
then returned for his reward.
She had never seen him again, and
he appeared in the restaurant very
plain, common parsonage Her jealous
husband made much of the affair, how
ever, and that evening, while she is
waiting to go to a reception to meet
a distinguished Russian statesman, a
general and an Italian opera singer OF
note, she falls asleep and dreams that
she is at the reception and that all OF
the distinguished; personages are one
man-her old time sweetheart.
The burden Of the play is this dream.
AS matter of fact the lady has no
past at ALL and is very up right VIE
When she wakes, the Russian is dIi-
nounced as caller TO bring her hus-
band some papers, and his utter draD-
ness and commonplaceness are such
that she declines to 90 to the reception,
after ALL Districhstein as the Russian
and Laura Hope Crews in the part OF
the wife are said to have the best parts
they have ever played. Miss Crews IS
reported to be especially impressive
Another Washington gin who aspires
to prima donna hOnors made her DOW
to the home folks last week In High
links" when Elizabeth Wood exhibited
herself and her, voice in the very i'm
portant. part Of sylvia. Miss Wood
made a very good impression, too.
While she is new TO the stage; the kinn
of a voice she possesses is Of the Calibcr
that has been pleasing the public ear
for many generations. She was fresh
and charming in the part of the younS
girl and her singing was all that could
be desired.
The members Of the Washington cen
ter of the Drama League are preparing
bus season. The league has already
started the issue Of it's circulars relating
t. current productions and announce
ment has now been formally made hat
il will cooperate with the Washing ton
Society Of Fine Arts in sponsoring the
lecture to be delivered November IL at
the Woodward and Lothrop auditorium
BY Walter Pritchard Eaton on The
American Drama-An Infant Industry {:
With Some reflections ON the Place of
the Theater In a Democracy" Mr.
Eaton has chosen rather an extensive
Suite It for his talk. but because Of mis-
long association with the drama in the
capacity Of critic and his intimate
knowlC dye of the affairs Of the theater
s-enrraIly, he will probably give most
interesting talk. His audience can de-
pcnd upon one thing-the lecturer will
treat his subject in the peculiarly direct
and appealing way with which he has
made his writings famous. The tickets
for tine lecture can be obtained from the
secretary Of the league or the Fine Arts
Society.
Julia RIanr. the character woman of
the Columbia Players, whose fine quail
lies as an actress have so many times
been the subject Of notice in these col
umns has been engaged to support
Marie Dressler i'm her new PLAY Miss
n very important part in the new play,
part which will give her ability as
character actress FUN, play.