Evening star., 1915-12-05


sonal habit may suggesG,
America unquestionably has a form of
entertainment distinctively it's own
Humble enough 1t seems. Most things
not far fetched and dear bought are
likely to seem humble enough. The
negro minstrel, though never accorded
a recognized place in theatrtc art, is
today king of the show business. Sur
rounded by a glittering opulence of
scenery. costuming and chorus, AL Jol-
son made a blackface speciality stand out
like the carbon that has crystallized
into a verita BILE gem. The obligations
to the minstrel stage are many and lit
tie considered. Many a great tragedian,
whose name is still mentioned with af-
lection and awe, has been known in the
privacy of his drsssing room to pick
an extempore tune on the banjo or rat
tie a tambourine in "reminiscences of the
days when he was getting his start "on
the end" 1t is to negro minstrelsy that
we owe a song that takes on the dig
nifty of patriotic music, Dixie The
songs of Stephen Foster constitute an
other debt. Many are the performers
who gave up blackface work to take
less pay, in order to develop into the
Legitimate" In some cases their sac
rifices were vain. The legitimate sat
isfies pride, but the blackface perform
er is today almost an indispensable ad-
junct of spectacular comedy, and the
negro minstrel romps through mazes
of tuneful luxury undreamed of in the
early entertainments, when the street
parade was a dreaded incident OF the
day's work. Now the really clever
blackface entertainer-and his kind Is
not numerous-is as petted as prima
donna. His voice, once secondary
consideration, is safeguarded against
draughts, and his salary is regulated
largely on his ability to count up the
house and figure on a guaranteed sec
tion of the net proceeds. 1t is a prince
ly career in its way, yet based on the
most elemental principles. To be sue
cessful the biackIace artist must be on
as familiar terms with his audience as
a baIIyhoo man for sideshow and as
Tree from Iormalities as sidewalk
vendor. He enjoys more license than
any legitimate star. He is the only
performer who touches on current
topics with any show OF tiippant conn
dence. He is monarch OF ali he sur
veys, and at this juncture in stage al
fairs no pride of tradition would tempt
adulatIon ne enjoys for a career in the
periious paths or the legitimate the
ater.
And yet Shakespeare survives. The
fascination of the greatest poet of all
time continues 10 be felt. 1t requifes
speare; courage that faces minute crit
icism where idle and often questionable
entertainment is hailed with generous
forbearance by a public pathetically
athirst for reliable diversion. 1t re-
quires indifference to pecuniary GER
tainty. Your Shakespeare producer
must have sporting blood as well as a
scholarly mind. The appearance of r.
u. MacLean in association with the
Poll Players in a production of julius
Caesar places Shakespeare drama on
the popular footing where 1t was first
developed and which it normally oc-
cupies.
Comment on William Gillette and on
his plays has long since been exhaust
ed. The public no longer discusses, but
simply enjoys them.
The thsater begins to take on truly
holiday spirit, concentration OF inter
est being in evidence for the next few
weeks. AS operagoing community,
Washington has given fine support to
organizations that have sung the stand
ard works under the necessary restric-
tions in which popular prices neces-
sarlly place upon salary list and ac-
cessories. 1t is no less responsive TO
opera on big scale, with performers
whose talents represent fortunes and
with embellishments of modern mag
Hlficence. The interest already mani
tested practically assures the success
of the Boston Opera Conpany's en-
gagement.
The announcement by Belasco of a
postponernent of Wartield's opening
night is in the nature OF an assurance
that all is well. \ new Belasco pro-
duction without at least one postpone
meut would be contrary to accepted
custom.
Perhaps il was going too far TO as
sert tnat the blaCkface comedian is the
only stage persohage who can discuss
current event. While he holds the ex
elusive topical comedy privilege. the
tragedienne may deliver arguments
which appeal TO the emotions that cur
rent event has aroused. Nazimova's 8
war Brides" will grip the sympathies
as IL portrays condition even though
IL may fail to find universal indorse-
nent as logical suggestion OF remedy
PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Warheld, Boy and Man-Almost from
babyhood David Warfeld cherished a
love for acting. Small wonder. then.
that he set the younger Belasco-the
present David Belasco-up as his idol
Of idols.
The boy David WarheId ran errands
for Mrs. David Belasco. But Belasco
pere, Warfield now confesses that he
must have harried his young brain to
provoke in MIN an Feasibility toward
which he had slight tendency He
recently recalled how he as a small
boy sneaked Up behind the elder Be
lasco, Indian fashion. and snatched a
hand. and then sprinted, hooting and
yelling, to safety and a munching
place. AT the time wariield was a
loot racer OF neighborhood renoWn So
much did the young Warheid tease and
annoy the glider Beiasco that the latter
told Warheid's mother, That boy OF
yours VIII never come to any good
end,''
David Belasco was made stage man.
ager OF the old Standard Theater. in
San Francisco. 1t was there by the
way, that Wartield made his entrance