The Washington times., 1915-06-06

Tho prisoners dock is no longer to
serve as the vestibule of dramatic
career.
Not Guilty" pronounced by a prop
erly formed jury in a criminal court of
record will no longer be q verdict that
sentences vaudeville patrons to painful
half hours watching some specimen Of
frail femininity attempt to draw divi-
dends on the first page advertising she
received In the newspapers while her
case was on trial. No matter how sem
sational the murder or breach of prom
, ise or cabarettishness for which the
fair defendant stands trial-the stage
door will not open when the gates Of
the prison have closed behind her.
At least that is the decision that A. F.
Aibee. Pooh Bah of the Keith circuit,
has announced, and II is understood that
the other vaudeville managers win fol-
low his example. The business Of max
ing capital out OF reputation gained
In the criminal courts is no longer at
traetive to the Keith magnate. The in
timation ts that Mr.. Albee saw, one of
the court room headliners performing
her stunt and realized what the pub
| lie has been called upon to bear and
continue to go to vaudeville shows.
advocates of cleanliness in vaudeville
and he has just started a campaign in
his own theaters, beginning with the ex-
purgation Of criminological stars. which
Will probably be felt throughout busi-
! ness. A second order has just been is
| sued which is intended to purify the
language of the vaudeville artists. Ger
a''i words and phrases that have had
i'd especially in variety entertain
ments, is taboo from now on. .s
4 The entire vaudeville world has ap-
proved Mr.. Albee's stand and orders
country announcing a strict censorship
| on all sorts Of debatable phrases and
acts.
The brightness and vivacity which has
| SO completely dazZled the patrons Of the
| Columbia Musical Stock Company dur
the weeks that Elinor Henry has op-
peared with the organization, has de-
| veloped into real starring proportions,
and next season this brilliant young
woman will appear at the head OF her
| own company in an opera especially
written for her by Victor Herbert.
Composer Herbert Is one of Miss Hen
rvs warmest admirers and closest per-
| sonal friends He has been anxious to
write an opera that would fit her per-
| sonallty for some seasons past, and
this year has interested one Of the big
producers In the project. Just what
the opera Will be has not yet been an
nounced. but it Is promised that 1t will
be written along entirely new lines, and
| that its heroine viii have just the quail
tiles which Miss tenry can best en-
phasize.
The production is to be made as soon
as the season 10 we'll under way, and
II Is understood that General Director
Frank Ranger. of the Columbia Com
pany. has been engaged to superintend
| the prod Iction-
While many Of the patrons Of the
Poll Players rather question the pro-
duction OF play like The Divorce
%9s' there's Sre very g fes M y or them who regret
having seen the piece as II was present
I Cd at the Poll Theater last week for the
reason that 1t brought out the unusual
ability for real dramatic Interpretation
possession by the players as an crgani.
zation. and especially by one or two OF
them individually.
The work of Russell Fillmore in the
part Of the drug crazed victim Of his
parents mistakes was a revelation tc
all but the intimate and enthusiastic
friends of the young man. 1t is diff.
cult to find a single moment in his de-
velopment OF the character that could be
improved The part is one that could
and generally is-fearfully distorted
The opportunities that are given fol
overacting.. for making the part Of ,vul
carly repulsive. are so many and Of
the highest conception Of the acting art
to prevent the actor resisting the temp
tation.
1t is therefore not only pleasant tc
find a young actor with ability to hold
and express in his work such high
ideals, but also II is very gratifying &c
the patrons Of a theater to feel tha,
they can expect carefully and stu
diously conceived interpretations Of
any such parts that might be
presented In the future. Such incidents
reflect creditably on the entire company
as we'll as on the particular individua
responsible for the work.
1t might be stated, too, in refutation o,
the fallacy regarding the jealousy o.