Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-22

Monday night was in a state of
general agitation While the
u ghost of Hamlet's father was
walking at the Belasco, the
specter of old Marley was carrying con-
sternation to Scrooge at the Columbia.
At the National a party of kidnapers rep
resented the doings of thc underworld,
in The Dummy and the crooks and
kleptomaniacs in stop Thief returned in
q stock company performance to see if
there was anything in Washington that
they had overlooked during a previous
visit.
The engagement of Forbes Robertson
was one of the most brilliant ever PLAYED
in this city. In the case of so eminent an
artist there could be none of the sus-
picion that attaches to the ordinary
farewell announcement. 1t was regret
fully accepted as a fact. The announce
ment by Mr.. Percy Burton bore the
stamp of authenticity Forbes Robertson
has reached a point where mans time
should be his own. His wonderful tenn
peramental vitality has never been ex-
ceptionally fortified by physical robust
ness, and it is easy to understand why a
player of his sensitive artistic conscience
should look forward to freedom from his
most exacting task-master-himself.
x :. x
The relations of Mr.. Burton to Forbes
Robertson are similar to those main
tanned by Bram Stoker to Irving or Paul
Wilstach to Richard Mansfield. They
have been peculiarly confidential and
based on recognition of the fact that
much of a great legitimate actors success
must depend not only on his acting, but
on what the public reads about him Mr.
Burton is an Englishrnan.
You must admit he remarked one
day, that you have to go to London to
hear the English language spoken in its
purity"
"Oh, I don't know" replied the pa
triotic American to whom he was talk
ing; Americans speak English in a way
that corresponds to written language
more than the English do. We never
think of any such authorizations as you
make in slurring word like 'Cholnlon-
dely' into 'Chumley.' At least We pre-
serve the consonants.
The consonants, Perhaps exclaimed
Burton. But, great heaven! Think what
you do to the vowels,''
The Dummy which registered an i'm
movement when it changed its title from
The Plant" brought to notice one of the
best casts that have been assembled late
ly. 1t is a peculiar creation, with a
pretty child story that overshadows a
plot full Of thrills and surprises. 1t is
the kind of story you might have ex-
pected Louisa NJ. Alcott TO write if she
had decided to produce work about the
underworld. 1t is one of the few plays
that hold the audience in q state of tense
interest, and yet keep them laughing
in hearty good humor. 1t is unique in
field which seemed to have been worked
till it could yield no more.
Dickens as well as Shakespeare was rep
resented and Mr.. Tom ferris impressed
himself as an actor whose further ac-
quaintance is to- be sincerely desired.
Even those who found the CONVERSATIONS
he has so cleverly prepared too sketchy
for their taste were strong in the wish
that his talents might be seen in a work
of more consistent and sustained dra-
matte form.
4 notable innovation has been made by
the Gayety Theater in Announcing a
readiness to welcome women to the
musical entertainments hitherto regarded
as appealing only to men 1t has often
been asserted that the burlesque shows
have been more rigidly censored than
many of the entertainments which make
a rather finely drawn distinction by call
ing themselves musical comedies In
New York the custom of smoking has
never been regarded as a bar to femi-
nine patronage, and the experiment in
Washington may lead to a similar dis
regard of traditions once held 10 be I'M
,lssailable.
This has been 4 poor season Tor ira
'!itions, anyhow. In addition 10 moving
pictures and dancing the country store
mas made its appearance as an institu-
ZION of widespread influence. Another
season may find the jaded reviewer no
.orger expected to seek elusive ethical
and artistic distinctions. He may be
JAILED upon merely to assist the manage
inent in deciding who gets the ham or
the freless cooker.
PHILANDER JOHNSON.
y VERSATILE ENGLISH ACTOR
Edmond Kennedy, 4 brother of the