Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-05

lass eminent an actress than Frances
Starr surrendered the footlights to
group of talented people of this city.
Mr. Belasco probably did not mind at
all when he found that the theater had
been engaged and that he would have
to postpone the opening of the engage
ment till Tuesday night. Postpone
ments have been so customary with him
that he frankly regards one as good
omen.
Monday nights presentation of three
plays, while largely dependent on anna
teur-using the word in the d1gnlhed
sense that implies love of artistic ex-
preston for its own sake-was not
without an important element of pro-
fessional security. The play. Allies
was the work of the versatile Alfred
HOPKINS who gave it the benefit OF eX-
perience as author. producer and actor.
The presentation of The Death or I'm
taSeles" offered the serious test that
the name Maeterlinck always implies.
The note of authority was given to It's
Interpretation by Mrs. Gwendolyn Hup-
bard who not only enacted the role OF
central responsibility. but who super
yised the production. The busfhesslike
manner in which the new organization
proceeds gives every encouragement to
the hope that the Washington Stage
Society will prove institution and
not an incident. 1t has the elements OF
permanent value. 1t has the benefit of
demonstrated ability in such matters,
as well as the services of talent well
worthy of recognition: The earnestness
and enthusiasm of Mrs. Hemmick. who
has done so much to promote interest
in the ''uncommercialized' theater, lend
themselves to this enterprise, and Mrs
Hemmick has an invaluable lieutenant
in the English actress. Mrs. Hubbard,
whose career is one of distinction, en-
bracing engagements in the companies
of Mrs Pat Campbell and others
among them George Arliss, who APP
p<ared that night as a rival for public
attention.
The good opinions that the Washing
ton Stage Society so promptly secured
make the organization something worth
watching at a time when the idea of
local theatrical entertainment is SO rap
idly developing throughout the country.
The tendency to keep successes in New
York and limit the number of touring
companies creates opportunity for local
enterprise which stock companies have
improved most profita bly, There is no rea-
son why this opportunity should not in
clude encouragement for true amateurs of
the theater. willing to toll for results and
to accept the helping hand of profess
sional experience.
The new play "Paganini.' which George
Arliss has accepted as a successor to
that wonderful piece of biographical
drama, "D'Israeli.' did not dim the lus-'
ter Of its predecessor. The impression
which fingers strongly in the auditors
own mind constitutes the greatest diff
Guilty that a new Arliss play will have to
face All actors who have thoroughly
identified themselves with a part, have
been their own most dangerous rivals.
There were many who admired Joseph
Jefferson none the less because they in
sisted that they heard and saw RIP
Van Wrinkle" in everything he under
took "D'Israeli," a masterpiece from the
pen of Louis Parker. a man with accu-
ness in character delineation. will not
easily be forgotten. "Paganini" has
touch Of the grotesaue that appeals
strongly to the eye. The story is an
episode, and its love interest Is curious
~ superficial. The echo Of world events
does not sound through it as in the pre-
ceding play; yet 1t has the advantage of
the unusual. and the authority Of play
or whose command Of his art is master
full and sincere.
Marie Odile" remains one of the
standard attractions of the current
theater. Opinions as to its future diff
feFsd when IL was first given at tho
Deissco. II was threatened with a
storm Of criticism. and has encountered
some violent opposition on the ground
that its subject was not one suitable
for theatrical discussion. A storm of
opposition generally means a whirl-
wind Of advertising. Olga Nethersole's
''Eappho' was attacked on every hand.
And the police did more work for 1t
than the press agents. humorous other
examples have arisen to point out that
tie theater IL something OF law
unto itself and that conservative
oD1nion cannot restrain II even when
10 rests its appeal on artistry at the
aRpense Of ethics. And the artistry in
Marie Odile'' is complete.
PHILANDER JOHNSON
An0el DeveiopmeAt@JosefS transhy
says: From what / have seen of
Americans during my stay here. no
nation is moro eager for beauty
acquires it more readily. The people
only need TO be headed toward the
right channel Their minds are alert
their brains are Of the best. and there
50 no reason In the world why they
should not have the finest musical de-
veIopment Just as they have the finest
physical education in the world. 1 be
llovo nowhere are there more beautiful
people than In America-more beauti-
4ul women. more beautiful youths
0odiiy cultivation 10 an art in this
stopped to realize what a valuable
realizes that music 70 more than an
permanent Joy in life, a necessity to
t1on young. then I am sure they will
qeaSs to list music among the enter
totnpents In the newspapers. Not even
. child will longer accept one hearing
u Q good opera or symphony az final,
IA