Evening star., 1915-04-11


goes on. The entertainment
locally provided has ad-
vanced its standards In the
proportion that the average of touring
Enterprises has receded. A company
that remains from week to week Gre
ates an obligation that is not shared by
the organization whose stay is brief
and whose appeal to attention may not
be repeated for seasons to come. The
work of the people engaged in sum-
mer performances has vastly increased
with the advent of musical comedy
into the field. In its very nature "mu-
steal comedy" depends on the labors Of
the immediate producers and players
rather than on intrinsic quality. 1t
has not the consistent interest of
drama nor the genuine musical appeal
Of opera. It does not depend so much
on what is said and sung as on the
manner of saying and singing. It Is
diversion in which energetic demon
stration must to large degree take
the place of inherent suggestions of
thought, playful or sincere Where in
the drama a point of thrilling effect
may be made by pause and pose. sew
eral principals and an entire chorus
may have to rush about the stage in
frenzy of terpsichorean agitation. A
dramatic stock company is through
with Its study when the lines and ac-
tfon are well IN mind. The summer
opera company is required to sing
as we'll as act. and now the summer
musical comedy company must dance
as we'll as sing and act The players
iva t0
tion of responsibilities, but 1t must
make life rigorous experience for the
stage manager, who has to keep track
OF departures. movements and destina-
uons- The task OF a train dispatcher
seems comparatively easy.
summer musical comedy proceeds
systematically to help along the work
OF the movies In reducing theatrical
regulations to terms of the coolest
practical efficiency. The glamour of
prestige has been destroyed for many
a feminine star who found herself on
the screen as rival of Mary Pick
ford. Many comedian of commanding
emtnence has met his Waterloo in an
EFFORT to wrest the applause of picture
patrons from John Bunny. The Column
bia Musical Company has demonstrat-
ed that THE Rose Maid" did not need
the personalities of those who first
identified their names with its presen-
tafion. The current week is confident
ly expected to show that Montgomery
Stone were by no means essential to
the RED Mill" and the succeeding se-
lection will be relied on to prove that
The Tenderfoot" can get on without
tho personal inspiration of Richard
Carl.
Elinor Henry. who plays the role In.
The Rose Maid originated by the
late Adrienne Augarde, may. judged by
her performance last week, be relied
on to give vital charm to any of the
leading feminine roles in light musical
entertainment that may be intrutsed to
her. Her enga cement was a lucky
chance for the Columbia Company,
being made possible by the untimely
collapse of a show in which Marie
Cahill was being starred, entitled
Ninety in the Shade" Washington has
seen so many local favorites go along
70 stellar success that to predict a dis
tinguished future for Miss Henry would
be merely perfunctory utterance.
Serious and superior entertainment
was offered by George Arliss in Dis
raeli. His triumph in this particular
role has been so extraordinary that it
has prevented him from impressing the
breadth of attainment that he undoubt-
edly possesses That he will give to the
stage other characterizations equally
great is not to be doubted: yet should
he find no other part SO advantageous
for the display of his ability as
Dlsraeli, the public would accord him
a place of great distinction in the an
nails OF the American theater.
Mrs. Leslie Carter is multitudinously
in evidence in Washington this spring.
Having been shown in pictures in her
first great success. The Heart of Mary
land" she will appear in person in vau-
deville in a condensation of her cul-
minating achievement under Belascos
management Rumors are current in
New York that Mrs. Carter will again
appear under Belasco's management.
but rumors are quite numerous In New
York at the present time.
PHILANDER JOHNSON
How TO Get Thin, by Marie Dressler.
.sYou,t yyorry" saws Marie DreSsIer