Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-17

IN such as the coming OF War
MI field. break through 20 show
rYIV Us that all Is not darkness,
and that we may get get back
aAfS into a seat In the sun" so far
as the good things at the theater are
concerned. In the meantime, the Boyd
Theater Players so along. filling I'm a
sap that would otherwise be serious. pro-
viding very high grade OF histrionic en-
tertainment at a very moderate price. No
more capable organization than that now
domiciled ut the Boyd ever played to-
Rother as a stock company In Omaha, ana
the plays presented arc all worthIy
mounted. so that tho productions are uni
formly good. The Orpheum Is providing
tho high spots this season, and Is reaping
the golden reward that comes with enter
prise. tho rule down thero being ''sell
OUT fourteen times n week. over at the
Gayety Brother johnson il bowling mer-
riiy along, with his burlesque shows
drawing like a poor mans plaster, and
making new friends for that form OF en-
tertainment every day. Iohnson's policy
IL endorsed by tho big men OF burlescue,
and they are working closer and closer
TO his plan every day. He goes each
week TO Kansas City, TO see the show be-
fore ii comes 70 Omaha. and checks
everything he has reason to think might
not sound well In his theater. The result
ia he feels confident when ne recommends
the show to his clientele as clean, and nc
has thus succeeded in building up a fol.
lowing for the brand OF buresqUe he sets
forth that would please any magnate.
-
Gertrude Hoffman. who comes 10 the
orpheum this week. is best known
on account OF her dancing. There
is tho recollection. OF course, OF
"saIome. OF her Russian ballet. and
now. tho. greatest achievement OF her
career, her new revue. Yet long before
she achieved world renown as a dancer
this little California girl had made a
name for herself-first as a real, honest
to-goodness manager. and afterward as a
mimic. Sage manager? Yes. indeed
And she is considered one OF the best. and
has the distinction of being the first
woman in America 10 win laurels in this
field.
When the theatergoing public suddenly
discovered Elsie Janis, and later went
wild over the Domino Rouge" probably
II never gave a thought TO Gertrude Hoff-
man: and yet It was this girl, bubbnng
over with enterprise and originality who
had produced these two tremendous hits,
and It was largely her Ideas and manner
Of carrying them out which brought such
extraordinary success. She also staged
Marie cahilrs ''Moonshine." and tho bell
number and skating scene in. "a Partisan
Model must be set down TO her credit.
And yet II was by accident that Miss
Hoffman as a dancer and star was dis
covered" She was with "A Partisan
Model" Of which her husband was the
author. when the premier danseuse was
taken suddenly ill during the run al
Philadelphia. Miss Hoffman. after some
coazing. and without preparation, stepped
into the breach. Her success was in
Simultaneous. New York engagements
followed. and the Girl OF the Golden
West woke up 70 find herself a star Of
the first magnitude.
ACeltic sunbeam. breathing the oxhiier
ating atmosphere OF old Killarney IL tina
OF Resgy oNail. as portrayed In j. Hart
icy Manners comedy, Peg O. My Heart,
at the Brandeis theater for four days be
ginning tonight A glowing tribute wa
paid 70 this beautiful play ON its forme
visit here and Peggy Omen. personally
was accorded as much flattering commen
as was Mr.. Manners Work. with emo
lions a. changeable and supple as the,
are vigorous. Miss O'Nen Is said to Civ
the play Peg an ideal characterizatio
and fortunately is possessed with III
natural requisites OF face. size and grao
that can be gracefully awkward, which
With a well trained voice and dencsousl
modulated brogue. so 70 make up a ''Pe
o Ny Heart" which Il would be hard I
improve upon. II seems quite easy 10 be
liese that IN playing Peg In the pla
Pesgy oNen IL merely playing a chapte
taken from her own life.
Comedy, love AMI pathos are nlcel
combined In this play and with Its Who'll,
somepess and humanity Il would be har
% find more pleasing piece. Those /
The cast supporting Miss O'Nen as Pc
are Henry Stanford the original Jerr,
Miss Emeiie Melville as MR.. Chichester
Reginald Mason a. Brent Clarence HaI
dyside as Hawkes. the solicitor. all Of n
New York cast, a. yell a. Gordon Burb.