Evening star., 1915-05-23

tional and the COluflbid
theaters last week, as indeed
were those the week previous.
were in the nature of genuine
surprises. They went long way to-
ward proving that after all the plays
he thing for in every respect The
Man Who Owns Broadway and The
Firefiy" were the real entertainment.
and those who presented them, although
perhaps not ranked with the scintil-
liant stars that preceded them. supplied
every requirement in voice, action and
even In the clever touches of charac-
teristic comedy associated with the
leading roles. The choruses. too. were
not lacking in the vim of their prede-
cessors in the original productions,
and in some respects, youth and come
liness. at least. rather rivaled them,
* *
This weeks attractions, the familiar
and beautiful "Mikado" and less pre-
tentious THE Girl of My Dreams" may
be approached with confidence and
pleasant anticipation while in the dis
tance, a week later, famous old "Er-
mimic" and Mile. Modiste" loom up as
promising contributions to the summer
entertainment. The capable Poll COM
pany will essay the presentation of
Polly of the Circus with an even
more pretentious production than that
which Frederic Thompson of Winter
Garden fame -lavished upon the play
that was to elevate his charming little
wife, Mabel Taliaferro. to stellar
heights. If Washington's amusement
lovers continue to long for theatrical
attractions, surely they are still to be
had.
Mirnics in the field Of vaudeville. high
and low, continue to delight admirers of
varied and homeopathic doses of
amusement, and like their associates
in the legitimate field rise or fall.
please or tire, in proportion to the in
spiration afforded by their acts. So
that here. too, 1.-The plays the thing"
and the player merely the medium.
good or bad. through which Its possi-
bilities are presented.
\
And now indoor amusement has its
rival in the outdoor park. with its
green trees and shrubbery. it's cooling
shade and breezes and its myriad of
exciting specialties. with the added
nishtly attraction of thousands of vari-
oolored lights to please the eye and
help the picture. Glen Echo again
makes its bid for those who prefer to
leave the city for the country for
few hours after the warmth and cares
of the day.
Plain Bum Good EnouGh.-Rtchard
Bum. the new baritone of the Aborn
Comic Opera Company, is not going to
change his name any more.
Mr. Bum is not ashamed of his name,
but impressarios seem to have grudge
against II and insist upon giving it va
riatfons on programs wherever he
sings.
When he made his operate debut In a
small town in Italy the management
put him on the cast as Ricardo Bun
noi. This happened to be a name to
which a real live Italian in another
city had prior claim. 1t happened that
this gentleman, who had carried the
name since birth. had left for parts un-
known. without paying various and
sundry bills. So landlord arrived at
the opera house where Bum was sing
ing one night. with the Italian equiya-
dent for sheriff. attached the singers
wardrobe and salary and forced him to
part with considerable sum of money
for a board bill which he didn't owe.
and which he succeeded in getting back
only after considerable trouble and ex-
pense.
A similar episode overlook him In
France, where an operate manager in
sisted upon his becoming known as
Richard Bunoit which brought upon
him a wife and two children who be-
longed to a Frenchman of that name
who had disappeared and left his ram
lily unsupported. The deserted wife in
sisted upon being allowed to open
Bunn's salary envelope until she met
him face 10 face and discovered that
he was not the errant husband.
When he made his American debut
with the Aborn English Grand Opera
Company in Brooklyn, a few weeks ago,
Mr.. Bum decided to try a Russian
name and chose BonardoH. The day
after the program appeared with his
name so spelled the Aborn manage
rnent received a letter from an angry
Russian, who said somebody was mas
querading under his name, and threat
ened TO begin suit. This last straw
convinced the baritone that although
Bum is prosaic old English name. 1t
is good enough TO stick to; SO he has
decided to stay Bunned the rest of his
life