The Washington herald., 1915-05-30

hlCHAhUSON lS right out In
the bright. bright lights again!
Why, my deah. hadn't you
heard? She dancing! While bugles
blow and shells shrek all around
Europe she's tripping and posturing in
the music halls of London, Just because
of the bugles and the shells Widowed
by the war. she is doing what she can
for other victims. And what she can
do best seems to be a Greek ballad
dance. 1t might be mentioned. incident
ally. that however much the performance
may benefit those for whose beneft it is
intended, it's been considerably harrow
ing to that part of the English popula-
ton which has 70 far been unable. by
hook or crook, to secure seats at the
Empire, where this most amazing men,
Der of the peerage is on view.
A little more than half dozen years
ago British society was electrified by the
announcement that Lady Constance pro-
posed to take her esthetic dances, until
then utilized only for the delectation Of
her friends, before the public. That she
was the daughter of the late earl of
Cromartie and granddaughter of the
duke and duchess Of Sutherland, the
latter a close friend Of Queen Victoria,
made her determination all the more
shocking. Even the broad-minded King
Edward expressed his disapproval, which
expression was equivalent. practically.
to accommodation from court.
Lady Constance's husband, Sir Ed
ward Austin Stewart Richardson, men,
Der Of a very old Scotch family, either
was Indifferent or easily subdued. Ex-
actly how he felt about his wife. the
mother Of his three little sons, cavorting
barefooted, barearmed, and barelegged
before music hall audiences wasn't made
public. Anyway she went ahead and
filled an engagement at the Palace
music hall, London, at something like
$500 weekly. The result was esthetic
appreciation on the part Of the public
dropping of acquaintanceship by many
noble dowagers. closing upon her Of the
doors Of the duke of Sutherland's home.
Dunrobin castle, where she had been a
welcome and frequent visitor, and
spectacular replenishing of the family
exchequer, which had never been more
than comfortably full; likewise an en-
gagement in America, where gaping audi
ences paid $1,000 to see a peeress'
ankles-and what else they saw. AS a
consequence Lady Constance went home
with her nose in the air, and indicated
by her further conduct that his majesty
and the rest of EN- were an envious, I'M
progressive pack, and that she didn't
need their society particularly. Finally
she announced that when she should
have obtained from her dancing funds
with which to establish a group school
large enough for ten boys besides her
own sons, she would retire permanently
from the stage The fund, she stated
further, would Of necessity be large
enough to provide $4,000 yearly. the
sum required to maintain a school in
the Scotch Highlands.
The fund evidently was forthcoming.
for Lady Constance retired-at least
temporarily. She still managed to keep
within the big white light of publicity.
Then came the news of Sir Edwards
death. He was a captain of the Black
Watch, and died of his wounds early in
the war. After that Lady Constance
wanted to work for the war relief funds.
Forthwith she allowed herself to be
billed for appearance in THE Wilder
ness" a Greek ballad dance. Surge
Moore wrote the words and Gustave
Ferrari the music, and Lady Constance
Annfhar fam IN d.
picted by Robert Roberty, Ares" by
Manitto Kiltgaard. and Pan" by Chief
Kawbawgam, who claims relationship
with a red Indian tribe. An extraordin-
airy feature of the production, is that Of
voices used as extra instruments in the
orchestration.
One of the most interesting types In
Greek mythology. according to q state
ment issued by the Empire. Is the fauns.
manlike In form, but with all the in
stincts Of the animal. Hitherto. the
statement goes on. but one side Of their
disposition has been displayed upon the
stage. but in 1.-THE Wilderness" their
many other entertaining traits are re-
vealed. They appear in turn suspicious.
fearful. playful, irresponsible in their
gayety, passionate and cruel-trafts
which the Interpreters have studied from
the Greek antiques.
A wierd and fascinating performance
of the role is presented by Lady Con-
stance, it's said. The impression made
by the performance upon the mind de-
ponds upon the view taken, though
there's NO use denying that smelling
salts and other mild stimulants have
been In demand afterward.
The scene Is laid In some rocky Ar
cadian retreat where Lady Constanoo APP
pears, wearing . tense expression ana
not much else She moves about stealth
lily, eyes opened Wide. Finally her ca
workings awaken the Arst faun who has
danced himself 70 sleep In the presence
Of the gods Of nature and var.
There's . pursuit. then . struggle
which ends In the victory Of the hfst
faun, and the titled dancer IL hurled