Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-28
PLAY Of SPLEND0R
SEENBY THR0NGS
"The Opium Pipe'' and Beauti-
full TabIeaux Presented by
Society Folk.
entertainment MOST
SUCCESSFUL EVERY WAY
Riot Of Oriental Gorgeousness Back
ground for Fascinating Dances
and Preachment Drama.

Minds and hearts stirred by an
artistic preachment against the degrad-
ing clutch Of the drug habit, vision
and hearing delighted by q symphony
Of clever. esthetfc dances, weird mu-
sic and a riot of fantastic costumes
rich in ,coloring. and the poor of
Washington benefited financially by
the most successful amateur entertain
ment ever given at a local theater-
That is the result today OF the varied
artistic program presented under the
personal direction of Mrs. Christian
Dominique Hemmick in the Belasco
Theater last night, in which the parts
were taken by many leaders in the
artistic and social life of the capital.
The theater was filled to capacity and
more than 300 persons were turned away
at the box office. The entire program
went through with fewer bitches and slip
ups than is usual in an amateur produce
ton. At the conclusion there was a call
for Mrs. Hemmick. author Of the ancient
Persian play. The Opium Pipe" which
was the most important part of the
entertainment, and when she was led
to the stage several dozen bouquets
were passed across the footlights to
her and the principals in the cast by
enthusiastic friends.
Inspired to Write Play.
Mrs. Hemmick was inspired to write
this play, The Opium Pipe" by the
calamity of dear friend who had fall
en- a prey to the passion for the prod
uct of the poppy seed. It Is intended
as a propaganda against drug
ment. and with the recent enactment
of the national anti-drug law 1t was
decided that now was an suspicious
time to launch the crusade.
Last nights program attracted a
large gathering of Washington's social
leaders and the theater was glitter of
gems and elaborate costumes. The
jewels worn by the actors alone were
stage settings represented several for
tunes in rare fabrics, costly rugs and
many relics Of ancient Persia Of his
toric value which had been collected
by Mrs. Hemmick. some of which were
lent by the Persian legation.
Program in Three Parts.
series of ten allegorical tableaux
representing The Awakening" which
was arranged by Mrs. Hemmick and
Miss Hazel Mackaye, as propaganda
against war. These tableaux were q
novelty in that they showed the char
acters walking upon the stage while
chorus" explained the theme of the
peace plea. depicting the horrors Of
war, woman's demand and the beauties
of peace when woman takes her place
on a par with man and war Is made i'm
possible. This part OF announcer was
taken by Miss Gwendolen Logan, q
young English woman driven to the
United States by the fortunes of war
She had a notable success for several
seasons in London with Mrs. Patrick
Campbell. Last night Miss Logan's
to reach all in the crowded house and
many thus missed much of the meaning
of the tableaux by failing to understand
the categorical story they told.
Trace Course of War.
These tableaux traced the progress
from birth of war to the contamination
Of peace, as follows: Sowing tho Seed"
THE Cause of War;" THE Call to
Arms" youths Illusion of War"
Realty. na Reaplng the Harvest"
tainments" and Peace"
Those participating were: Woman,
Mrs. Notwithstanding; Womans Daugh-
ter, Miss Burch; Woman's Little Chill
Miss Catherine Hitchcock: Fame, Miss
Candace Howard; Commerce, Mrs
Robert Baker: Peace, Mrs. Robert Ell
more; Produce. Mrs. Henry Kerr; Vic
tory, Miss Davidson; Art. Miss Anne
Hopkins; Music, Miss Barrett: Vintage,
Miss Helen Buchanan; Proclaimer, Miss
Britton: Woman's Son, Mr.. Donohue;
War. Milton Bryan; Warrior. Dr.. Al
Clark; Finance. MI Howard: Labor
Lord, Morvin Thonspson; Law, Chris
tian Hemmick; Youth. Mr.. O'Neil;
In the second part of the program
Miss Logan contributed a group of
spoken songs" for several Of which