Evening star., 1915-02-14

artistic proportions and pro-
fessional sponsorship was re-
vealed to the public of this
city. The name of Charles Frohman,
like that of David Belasco. still awak-
ems the old-fashioned thrill that used
to accompany the announcement OF an
absolutely new presentation For some
time the announcement of a new pro-
duction has caused little enthusiasm in
Washington, which some sensitive
players have been wont to refer to as
the frigid zone of the drama.
The interest and sentiment attached
10 new production used to be SO
warm that the temptation to capitallze
- Inevitably arose The first night of
ulay was an event that led admirers OF
tbe theater to assemble in spirit OF
expectation. A success was anticipated.
A failure was the exception and was
observed with feelings of regret out
not of resentment. A failure was not
so serious then. The public had not
been taken so fully into the confidence
OF the managers as to route books and
Iedsers 1t was an artistic disappoint-
ment, but it did not impress anybody
as a commercial calamity.
Whether the typical hrst night has
passed forever is question oil some PIC
turesque interest. though perhaps of no
practical Importance The sympathy OF
the playgoer for those who seek to min
lister TO his entertainment has to large
degree been effaced by the feeling that
the theater after all is an establishment
that asks no odds, and is content to give
quid pro quo in the exchange Of enter
tainment for cash. The mendacitles OF
the press agent have lost their gilded
charm, and theatric jealousies. instead OF
being indications of temperament, have
Ieveled themselves to mathematical COM
parsons of profit and loss. Stage ma
terial has rapidly been exhausted. Vaude-
Vile and the moving pictures have abb
sorbed the legitimate stars to degree
that means startling depletion in the
ranks of conservative reputation, and play
material is consumed like shavings OF
thought in the furnace of popular in
terest. New plays and new stars must
be created for the demands of the drama.
and the process will be interesting to
watch Perhaps the gallery gods will
return to their place above the attentive
and even thoughtful throng. Even the
enthusiasm such as is depicted in novels
may be restored, bravos. bouquets and all.
Ann Murdock steps forward as one of
the new stars with confident grace. She
Is a type of girlishness that can vitalze
a most agreeable range of roles. The
new play, "A Girl of Today is a char
scteristic Charles Frohman presentation,
evenly cast and fine in its studies of
humanity as it moves in the realms of
current probability. The portraiture she
gives of girl of today is a fascinating
one. The climax of the play is a most ex-
acting test, and needs faultness proper
ton in the arrangement Of material. The
scene may be played in a hundred diff
ferent ways. Probably it has already
been played in several variant forms, with
a view to ascertaining the expression that
VIII give IT the effect of homogeneity
rather than OF contrast Washington
nrst-mghterS may esteem themselves
lucky II they have no worse lack of polish
TO forgive than passing impression Of
question as to a single scene
What the reception of "A Girl of To-
day" will be in New York city is not
to be forecast Forecasting should be
iert TO the weather man. A great deal
OF forecasting was done with reference
TO Marie Odile," which left this city di-
vioed into two hostile camps of critical
opinion The same determinations as TO
whether the Belasco play is a sublimity
or a sacrilege has been going on in
New York The sublimity aspect of the
argument has unQuestionably had the
beneSt of the most type and pictures
and the play cannot fail to find not
only admiration for its beauty OF dra-
matte expression. Out liberal patron
age among those who are impelled by
controversy to form personal opinions
as to its influence II The Girl OF To-
day with her winsome smartness can
evoke the interest that Marie Odile"
with her tragic unsophistication Great
ed, the many admirers won during the
past week will be gratifed.
Grumpy" represented the completed
protiuct that means neither an event
nor an ordeal IL is a genial trifie. I'm
shed TO the utmost detail. both in writ
ing and in acting The character study
OF an irascible old lawyer is a picture
for the pictures own sake, revelation
of technical stage skill which is the re-
suit OF minute perceptlOn ana lnnn.te
capa city for detail. SO far as informa-
;ioa IL available Mr.. Cyril Maude is
the only actor who can make slum
brpus wheeze not only convincing as
an artistic expression. but thoroughly
agreeable as a sympathetic appeal.
i ***
The lecturer has become SO distinct
"A figure in the amusement world that
his ingenuity is being taxed for novel
ties. even as is that of the play pro-
ducer. The young woman who asked at
the box ONCE whether Mr.. Holmes
frst name was Burton or Sherlock has
disappeared, and the relative merits OF
platform personalities are discussed as
are those of actors A comparatively
new figure in the pictorial lecture field
IS Baumgardt. who has made the de-
scriptive portion of his entertainment
as important as the pictures them
selves. PHILANDER JOHNSON.
THEATRICAL PATRIOT S.-The
american girls with Lady Luxury"
which comes to the Belasco Theater next
week, are members of an organization
they call the National Trade Mark AS
sociation. It's object Is to put q ban on
any gown. glove. shoe or other article
- that canpnf ha yro.