The Washington times., 1915-04-04

Turning the corner of the seasons,
seeking shelter from the cold blasts Of
q, winter OF theatrical discomfort that
has been felt here, though in some
what less degree than elsewhere, the
Washington playgoer is met with the
most heartwarming promise of a
variety of entertainment for the spring
and summer season which opens to-
morrow. With the Columbia musical
stock company, the Aborn musical or
ganization, the improved Poll Players
In dramatic productions, and a prob
able extension of the vaudeville season
into tho late summer, there will be rich
pickings for the amusement seeker.
On the face of things there need be
no conflict of enterprise between any of
these. With tho 1pajor portion Of the
population Of the city remaining always
| in town, even in the hottest weather,
bound to their duties by the inexorable
demands of the governmental machine,
| there Is patronage and to spare for all
the entertainers who come here-provid-
ed only they provide real entertainment.
The present outlook is for most lavish
display of the best that can be found
in this direction.
Tile rcpertoires of the Columbia and
the Aborn companies which have been
published give a prospectus Of musical
productions that will fit the fancy of
, almost any type OF the wooer of summer
solacc through melody. The Poll Play
ers have secured for stock production
| many plays that have never been pre-
| sented except by stars or important
| companies of well-known actors and
actresses. including some of the present
seasons most notable successes.
In vaudeville the performance OF the
Keith enterprise during the past sea-
son In skimmng the cream from the
| dramatic and operate stage leaves the
| imagination the utmost freedom to pic
ture what it will do for the coming
| months.
Folplaning gracefully and with COM
| parative safety from the dangerous
| heights of prophecy to a viewpoint that
| brings the immediate future into focus
| has 1t ever occurred 10 the average citi.
zen upon what little things-or collec.
! tions of little things-some of the really
| great happenings of history and fancy
| are based? For instance-how many
! people who will view with pleasure the
highly instructive and artistic per
formance of George Arliss in the par
! OF Disraeli at the National Theatel
| next week. are prepared TO credit tht
, statement that the germ of that char
| actcr was found in collection OF ole
| wigs?
4 collection of wigs really did 1t. Ant
to prevent any hungry seeker for In
| formation embarrassing Mr.. Arlis5 By
asking for the story-which he probably
don't know. having never thought OF j.
In this way-Tm prepared to expose the
great actors secret here and now. TIT
boyhood OF Mr.. Arliss was passed IL
| collecting. both openly and by stealth
such odds and ends OF theatrical prop
critics as he could acquire. When h
| reached mans estate and became
| member of the theatrical profession tht
habit grew upon him. He was the re
ceptacle for everything that anybody
WANTED to dispose of and nobody els'
seemed to want. While a mernber ,of I
stock company in London one OF tn,
collection OF wigs and Arliss fell hei
to them.
The possession OF a lot OF miscel
laneous wigs gave him opportunity t
dress the small parts he played il
whatever manner he chose. He was per
mitted by the management TO induls
his fancy in many fights, SO long as /
did not hurt the working out OF TIL
plot OF the piece that was being play
ed. About this time Disraeli died. An,
while the stories of the eminent states
man were uppermost in the minds o
the British people. Arliss discovered Il
the collection of wigs one which woul,
permit the accentuation- of his owl
slight facial resemblance to the dis
tinpuished man into very lifellke re
production.
He was seized then and there witt
a desire to make Disraeli the centra
figure of a drama at some time o
other and during his years on the stag
was constantly-though perhaps sub
consciously-scarchinc for play tha
would permit him to realize his am
bition. Some years ago play OF thi