Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-25

- ELDoM is Washington regaled at
one time with entertainment to
compare with the leading offer
~ ings Of the week just closed.
Diplomacy" representing Sar-
dou, the great master of the drama,
and presented with a superb cast, was
especially made memorable by the re-
appearance of William Gillette. Blanche
Bates and Marie Doro. stars all OF
them who have long since won the
heights of accomplishment In the
world of histrionic art. The testi-
mony of the delighted audiences that
filled the New National Theater at
every performance carries with 1t In
disputable conviction that modern the
atrical taste, SO far as the public is
concerned, stands In little need Of
pedantio instruction or revision. 'Di-
pIomacy" brought the regular season
at the New National to a brilliant
close
What is said of Diplomacy" may be
predicted with equal assurance of The
Lilac Domino" latter-day composite
nodded by Andreas Dippel with the
exquisite taste of an experience quick
TO detect the best in all lines of the
theater just as it is an authority in
all that pertains to the merit and
bea uty of music The re-eminent sue
cess of the impresarios first indie
pendent venture In light opera produc-
to continue in the field he is said to
n a..
bors. The Lilac Domino" stands by
itself in the musical production world
A Glimpse Of tho Brighter side-1n
the present day discussion of the tho
alter and the drama" says Miss Gilmore
Henry. the popular little prima donna
of the Columbia company, at seems
singular that no one has a thought
to spare on light opera and musical
plays. despite the fact that both will
live forever in the popular interest.
Just why this is, 1t is difficult to
proved taste does not run entirely to
the morose, to trouble plots and domes-
tic tragedy. Do we not have enough
care and sorrow in even the best Of
our everyday real lives without manu-
featuring more for our delectation or
our despair during our hour of recrea-
ton?
Education is so Indispensable to our
happiness that its operation should
never be interrupted. We should al
ways be striving onward and upward.
But why climb a rugged and barren
mountain when there Is one accessible
which is clad with verdure and flowers,
whose sides ring with the songs of
birds and ripping waters and whose
summit offers a view of beauty rather
than a bank of snow?
The musical play is never burdened
with a morbid plot. 1t doesn't brew
or sob. even for an instant. 1t makes
the soul glad and our very being sing,
If it has real merit. And SO I am for
theatrical education along the lines of
Joy and gladness. beauty and melody.
songs and sunshine. And If perchance
there be those whose happiness is pail
ing upon them, we might have artificial
agony prepared and produced for their
benefit to steady their temperament.
Il love the dainty and beautiful
operetta. i love its gladness. I love
the chaplet of melodies and harmonies
interviewer with its story. 1 love it's
Kaleidoscope colors, it's pretty scenic
effects and its strange and Illuminating
lights that breathe soul into its pic
lures. ] love it's tinge of romance and
above all ] love it because it is res
pite from the darker side of life that
nowadays seems to furnish the sole
inspiration 10 tne MAKERS OF nero
plays"
Likes WashingtOn.-Charlo Walker
say $: Il have been in stock pretty near
ly everywhere. and have played the
country over more than once; but
have never found another city quite so
devoted and loyal to its itinerant thes-
plans as dear old Washington. where
'alrs quiet along the Potomac"
TT was in Washington that I scored
my greatest success in several stellar
offerings also. and here, too, l was in
number Of first-time productions Why.
tov ard the strange productions in its
midst and its chivalric attitude toward
the aspirant for popularity that Be-
las 0. Frohman and SO many other
Pre-. ucers choose the Capital city for
breaking-in purposes
indeed, Washington Is a dear old
gei tIemanly, or ladylike, city. which,
eve you please to call it. and I am
mi"hty glad to get within its marble
gates, if only for week"
Mechanics and Music.-John r. Britt
the young Viennese conductor who Is
dir, citing the music in the Aborn Comic
op. "a Company's performance this
wee, began his career as mechanical
apd electrical engineer, and was quite
sue, essful before he changed to the pro-
fess IN of musician.
lie was born in Budapest. and as
a boy divided his attention between
mechanics and music. His family de-
cided there are more musicians than
engineers to the square mile in Aus
tria- HunRary, and consequently de-
creed the latter profession for him. He
continued, however. to indulge his pas
sion for music, and became accom-
plshed with the vfoloncello and other
string Instruments, we'll as the
piano. Contrary to tradition. he
achieved the remarkable distinction Of
winning diplomas in both professions,
graduating from the state institute of me-
chanical and electrical technology and
from the Academy of Music of Buda-
pest.
After several years of engineering
he returned TO his first love, playing
with the Philharmonic in Vienna. and
later conducted for two years at the
opera house in Tenesvar, He came to
America three years ago to conduct
the music of William Favershams pro-
Auctlou of "JuliIs Caesar"