Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-15

Is q long time since the play COLI
structors were expected to hold
themselves to the unities of time.
place and action The spirit of
unrestraint is strong and especially
so where the entertainment offers music
as a part of its attraction. Maids of
Athens is mostly maids and very little
Athens. 1t is musical work of rare
charm. AS a literary product it is full
of light-hearted pranksomeness. Miss
Carolyn Wells took the work in hand
when it reached this country in manu-
script form and developed it on lines of
dialogue and versification. which would
doubtless surprise those who knew 1t as
II was first done Miss Wells has
gift for lyrical frivolity comparable
with that of Lewis Carroll himself. The
English language as she adjusts 1t to
rhyme develops unsupported eiasticities-
There is an abundance of quip and para
dox in Maids of Athens" which makes
the solid plot seem like bit of old-fash-
toned pastry smothered In meringue
There are all kinds of brigands in the
mountains, which the scenery architects
have built, regardless of expense; blood
thirsty brigands, romantic bachelor brig
ands humorous brigands and just
ordinary GLORIOUS brigands. They
are versatile, too and 1t can
not be confidently stated whether they
are at their best when speeding polished
shafts of cynicism at the people and
customs of our own continent, or when
they are singing in round, ringing chorus
the songs that seem to breathe the spirit
of their native haunts Some of the most
delightful music that has crossed the
footlights of tho American stage is to be
heard in Maids of Athens. 1t needs
some temperamental agility 10 enable
the auditor to follow the rapid changes
of mood which the first and second acts
display.
While its brilliancy cannot be doubted,
Maids of Athens as revealed Monday
night was a trifie nebulous- 1t is still
in process of condensation and expecta-
tions are confident that It will prove
luminous permanency in the Savage
galaxy of musical successes.
In the Pleasure Seekers consistency
is thrown to the winds. Songsters.
ehoristers and comedians are present in
abundance to take advantage of any
incidental moments when the irrepressi-
bly, comic Florence Moore is pausing to
catch her breath. The skating specially
is the most remarkable incident OF the
performance. and the Pleasure Seek
rs may be noted as the only production
before the public that carries its own
ice. The idea of sending the chorus
in procession through the audience is
worked out so deliberately that In the
process of evolution, an entertainment
seems possible which places the audi
ence on the stage and gives the COM
pany undisputed possession of the audi
torium.
Nearly Married introduced Bruce Nc
Rea in a light comedy vein; contrast to
the line of romantic parts in which he is
accustomed to appear He demonstrated
that he is well equipped, and to his sin
cere work the farce owes much of its at
traction 1t is Only by taking themselves
and the situations in which they are
placed with the utmost seriousness that
the players in farce can overcome the i'm
preston OF utter incongruity in present.
ing the extravagant incidents on winch
the laughs depend.
= y s.
The manner in which Miss Nelson of
the Poll company played the role created
by Miss Ellington in ''kindling has
added to her already long list OF admirers
The demands in the way of perpetual
study upon players in stock appear to en-
nance rather than to retard their EN-
cheney.
During the past few years the individ-
nal entertainer has become remarkably
prominent The amount of entertainment
that Washington supports is not gener-
ally realized, the lectures. concerts and
special programs of various character
which find patronage show wide range
Of taste, which assures appreciation OF the
best that can be offered. II is only IN
grand opera that the Capital city has
reason TO feel itself sighted, and the con-
certs given by the most distinguished
singers ofrer solace in this respect Re
rnarkable felicity has been shown by che
lecturers who have found encouragement
mere IN varying their presentations In a
way that gives to each his distinct phase
Of interest. Burton Holmes gives ms
studies of foreign lands the attraction OF
,.arefuI scholarship; Newman makes his
travel talk a chatty and companionaole
experience: Elmendorf dwells with ire
sistible enthusias mupon the art life of
the lands he visits II would seem a diff
-tcult task 10 create a new impression in
this field. Yet Baumgardt does this by
adding 10 the elements OF instruction and
entertainment the charm of poetic inter
probation. His personality is peculiarly
attractive and his delivery is modulatsd
TO a nicely. which shows him TO be the