The Washington times., 1915-12-05
Tuesday Opening.
of Belasco Pro-
duction Give S
Clear Field to
"Watch Your
Step'' and ''Ju-
Illus Caesar. -
r HROUGH the presentation Of
Evan Der Decken," the new

Evan Der Decken," the new
= play by David Belasco, writ
ten for David Warfield, on Tuesday
instead of Monday night for the first
time, first nighters are relieved Of
what otherwise might have been a
distressing problem. = For had this
new play opened on Monday night,
with Watch Your Step" with Mrs.
Vernon Castle and Frank Tinney, at
the National, the theater claiming
the attention of the musical comedy
clientele, and "Julius Caesar" at
Polls rightfully demanding the, at
tention Of any persons interested
either in the local stock company or
Shakespearean drama, or both, a Sc
lection of any one in preference to
the other would have meant a sac
rifice.
The choice now, however, is mar
rowed down to two, making it
easier for every one concerned.
In the fifteen years Of his association
with David Belasco. David War,ield has
given comparatively few creations, but
what he has given are deathless Bet
ter few perfect creations we'll loved
and cherished. than a yearly Offering
which passes into nothingness. His
was Simon Levi, in The Auctioneer."
Then followed THE Music Master "A
Grand Army Man." and THE Return
OF Peter Grimm"
dramatic and intelligent creation in the
play to be presented Tuesday night Is
assured. 1t Is to be hoped that mis- role
will give full sway to the great human
too great attempt to delve into the uu-
known. "Thc Return of Peter Grimm
had this tendency. but Warfield- made
the whole circumstance Of the return
was robbed of its strangeness. The
Auctioneer" and THE Music Master"
however. which we're infinitely less
deep, are best loved and known by the
greatest number of people.
Although little has been told Of the
nlay itself. the fact that 1t has been
built on the legend of the Flying Dutch-
man gives perhaps a faint clew. This
legend has been heavily drawn upon
for many years. not only. IN the realm
Of literature. but Of music as we'll, as
basic idea for theme.
-tvu ATCH YOUR STEP" will
" musical comedy fends.
Mrs. Vernon Castle dances
continuously-almost- the whole
evening, until II o'clock. and trinK
Tinney. equally assiduous. tries his best
TO break up the entire performance
from the time of the rise Of the curtain
on the first act until its violent shoot
ing up and down five or six times at
the end Of the last.
Except for sort of matinee dance.
this is the first time Mrs. Castle has
been seen in Washington since the
epochal appearance on the stage Of the
Columbia Theater on F street, in The
Sunshine Girl" Every one wanted to
know who she was. and who that ter
ribly slim chap. who locked MS IL he
might break at any moment, might be.
That winter they found out; for tn-
Castle stock went up DO high that when
they came here for the matinee darce
mentioned neither love, hate. nor money
could get a seat for the laggard whJ
for the foolish virgin who forgot not
only to put her pin money away against
their coming, but to draw 1t out In
time.
which is nightly regretted.
Bernard Granville. however. and
Frank Tinney will help.
r.. D. Mclean. who plays the part Of
Brutus at the Poll production Of Julius
Caesar" this week. was co-star OF Will
liam Faversham two seasons ago. when
he played the same role in an all-star
revival Of this Shakespearean drama.
The work of Mr.. Mclean is pleasantly
remembered from his association with
Charles B. Hanford in a revival OF
Shakespearean plays given here several
years ago. Odette Tyler. the former
star. and Mr.. McLean's wife. was one Of
the company.
Miss Rittenhouse will be seen in the
role Of Portia. the wife Of Brutus, in
the. Forthcoming production.
Julius Caesar was last seen in this
city with william Faversham in the
role Of Marc Anthony and Frank Kee-
nan as Cassius.
- FLORENCE f.. YODER,