The Washington herald., 1915-03-21
by JULIA CHANDLER MANI.

Now is the winter of theatrical dis
content reached all over the country
In New York, Americas producing
center, the closing Lenten weeks US.
ually mark some abatement OF &C
Invites, preliminary to the spring
awakening in the theaters which al.
this season this abatement has
reached the lowest mark in many a
year. Numerous midwinter entertain
ers long since concluded their metro
politan runs" and moved on. or of,
according to what promise the pro-
duction in which they appeared on
Broadway gave of road" success,
while nothing novel or new was
brought TO take the place of engage
ments ended, although letters from
various producers Offices, received by
me within the week. give promise of
new plays and new players to take the
place of those long entrcnchcd. thus
providing the customary Easter
awakcning-th usual spring output
OF productions. which argues well for
the courage of the producer in the light
of the most depressing season through
which he has but just passed, for the
little in the way of drama that will live
to see a second season.
Some plays offered this year in New
! ork nave held the attention of the pub
tic past their 10th milestone, which is 4
pretty sure test of their worth. To be
exact. there are an even dozen so dis
tinguished. They are Twin Beds, ''On
Trial" Under Cover" 1T Pays to Ad-
vertisc" Daddy Long Legs" The Law
i'll T. ~ &, .
a Pair of Silk Stockings" Expert
ence" "Outcast" and The Only Girl"
The list, containing as it does a little
farce: as much of comedy; something
OF the grave as well as the gay; bit
of music, and a good deal of melodrama,
furnishes food for commentary on the d.
versity of public taste in the line Of
entertainment 1t is also matter OF
interest that. with two exceptions. these
plays are all of American craftsmanship,
and that they have gone their success
full ways without the aid of any par
ticular star. save in three instances. OF
them Daddy Long Legs and 'Kick
In had their premieres in Washington,
the former at the New National Theater
last year. and the latter this season at
the Columbia. OF the others which the
list contains We are soon to see Out
cast" the play by Hubert Henry Davies
in which Elsie Ferguson will appear at
the New National Theater next week.
an engagement to which We look for
ward with somewhat accentuated inter
est because thus early the current dra-
matte season in local theaters has be-
gun the singing of its swan song
For some weeks past the dearth OF
suitable attractions for the tenantinE
of first-class theaters has been felt local
". evidenced by return engagements
HIGH in some instances. had already
worn out their welcome in former sea-
sons and still further this week by the
closing Of the New National Theater
for the first time this season. Mr.. Rap
ley prefcrrinE the darkness of his house
20 its descent into the motion picture
field The Columbia will show pictures
If the European war. and Oliver Morosco
will hiring his production of The Bird
If Paradise" hack to the Belasco Thea /
ter where it was seen two seasons ago
fo! the first time in Washington.
For the benefit of those who may not |
have seen Richard Watson Tully's ex-
ptic picture of Hawaiian life il may be |
said that The Bird OF Paradise" is not |
only A splendid piece of symbolism but \
one of the most beautiful and satisfac-
tory accomplishments in scenic realism
that has ever held the local boards. The i
story tells the gradual degeneration of
A fine and capable man under the de-
influence of the low life OF
he Hawaiian Islands while in contrast
$ painted the regeneration through the
,elpful influence OF a splendid woman of
me who has already yielded to this in
'idious environment
As seen here originally, Guy Bates
Post visualized the life of superb prom
sc which failed of its fulfillment through
'apitulat:on to the allurements of vice.
md Miss Bessie Barriscale was seen in
he exacting role OF the beautiful Hawaii
m girl who was the main factor in this
mans undoing.
Tomorrow night We will see William
Desmond in the role which Mr.. Post
made so remarkable psychological
tudy. and Miss Lenore Ulrich will play
he tragic part Of the tropical maiden,
living a Washington audience ITS FIRST
leonardo Bsratellim. the Milanese sculp.
or. declared perfect.
Despite her youth Miss Ulrich has
chieved remarkable success in this ex-
remedy dificult characterization. Be-
ore she assumed her present RESPONSE
iities in The Bird of Paradise" her
taEe experience consisted of twenty-.ixl
weeks Of stock engagement in which
he enacted eighty-six different roles OF
vide divergence fact which but adds
interest TO the report OF her splendid l.
conception and portrayal of Luana which i
las preceded her engagement here. II
ho H., d.