Evening star., 1914-01-04

the plays at the big theaters were of a
standard emitting them to presentation
in the capital of the nation. And yet
box office reports are not as enthusiastic
as the quality of the entertainment Of
fered deserved. The sparkling little Hun
sarian operetta. .-Sari Arnold Bennett s
splendid play. The Great Adventure,
and Annie RusselTs delightful revival of
the old English comedies. The School for
Scandal and .'She Stoops to Conquer
the former new and elaborate produc-
tion of high quality, should have drawn
record audiences for the season. 1t is
doubtful if they even approximated such
a result
The Great Adventure in many re-
spects. the real surprise of the year.
In plot quaint comedy. realistic acting
and general tone it will rank with the
best plays of recent years Janet
Beecher and Lyn Hardinge added dis
tinctly to their laurels. and the author
may be congratulated on having them to
interpret his chief roles. But the COM
for a splendidly balanced and almost per-
feet performance.
:: ::
'Sari." viewed from every possible an
gle, seems to deserve all the success that
may come to it. 1t has connected and
intelligent plot, with certain element
of suspense; its music is tuneful and
some of its songs distinctly of the pop
ular hit order; it's lines sparkle with en-
joyable humor. and from scenic and
costume standpoint it is beautiful Mizz
Hajos seems at last to have real oppor-
tunity and to grasp it for all its possi-
bilities, and her supporting company, al
most without exception. is excellent
Crowded houses nightly have set the ver-
dict of approval upon the production.
The wide departure from the manners
and tastes of the days of Goldsmith and
Sheridan, in the modern trend of pro
sressive" civilization has nevertheless
spared many who can find an evening
OF pure delight in standard old English
comedies such as Annie Russell and her
splendidly trained and evenly balanced
company presented during the past week.
Miss Russell is another evidence of the
existence of potent factor of the Amer
lean stage in the uplift of the taste of
its patrons and the return to the real
mission of the profession which she
adorns. Refreshing entertainment that
illuminates the mind. sharpens the wit
and brightens the spirits will always find
audience. The trend toward problems
and vice is viewed by many as an evi-
dence of the lack of originality in play
wrights, rather than growing sinfulness
or increasing holiness, in the patrons of
their products.
This suggests the thought that per-
haps herein lies the real reason why
from some quarters come sad notes
concerning theatrical conditions. Peo-
pie wish to be amused. Nowhere in
the world is the average audience of
higher culture and refinement than in
Washington. But it is an audience not
to be trified with. Managers and pro-
ducers may not seek with impunity to
tax it with the unsavory odors of the
slums and then expect it to report in
full numbers because a good play is
sent along occasionally. Theatergoers
are influenced as much by their con-
hdence in the theater as in anything
else in life. And il is not at all i'm
probable that intelligent clean-minded
theatergoers may seek to rebuke the
offense of disaGreeable productions by
remaining away when really meritorj
Gus ones are presented. They will take
no chances on uncertainty and they
have the right, for they pay for what
they get.
Vaudeville babbles along with the
Berry splash and sparkle of an un-
Siined brook. Its temptations are al
l.ring. but not debasing. 1t aims To
get at the lighter and the brighter side
of life, and SO counts its friends by
the thousands Once in a while ii seeks
10 initiate the slum reformer, but prob
lem" sketches are of short life when
put in juxtaposition to the clean in
nocent attractiveness of the average
vaudeville offering.
FRANCES NELSON RETURNS.-Miss
Frances Nelson, who returns to WASH
ington tomorrow night leading woman
OF the Poll Players, has been on the
stage exactly nine years. and the better
part of two of those years was spent in
Washington at the head of a notable
stock company. Miss Nelson stands
high in her profession, and success has
come TO her in the stock work that lured
her from the less exactng life of a lead
ing woman in touring organizations. She
was for two seasons James K. Hacketts
leading woman in The Pride of Jennico'
and The Prince Chap" She also played
leading roles in The Only Way THE
Light Eternal and The Admirable
Crichton."
Miss Nelson has headed some of the
biggest and most famous stock COM
lsanies in America In addition to her
record in Washington, she was for three
seasons leading woman for the Girard
Avenue Theater in Philadelphia, the
Barker Stock Company of Kansas City
the Lyric Theater Stock Company of
Minneapolis. and the Keith Stock Com
pany Of Providence. r. l. She has dis
played remarkable versatility in the many
big roles she has played in Washington,
and she has the vivacity and personal
charm needed for a long series of ap-
pearances in a permanent stock organi-
zation.
VICTOR HERBERTS SUCCESS ES-
Victor Herbert is the only living music
writer who can count his successes In the
operatic line anywhere near the number
Of thirty-three that he now has to his
credit.
He is a grandson of Samuel Lover the
famous Irish novelist. Born in Dublin
ireland. in 1883, he looks today like a
business man of forty whose life has been
passed in cheerful occupation. He Is
Jovial, ready in repartee and kindly to a
fault in his disposition. He is as ready
to autograph a photograph and inscribe
few bars Of music on it for an admir-