Evening star., 1917-03-18

during the Week. MUSIC NV
ers who value tunefulness as
represented in the older types
OF composition, no less than strictly
dramatic interpretations of the modern
school, found an abundance of fascinat-
ing interest in the performances OF the
San Carlo Grand Opera Company. 1t is
no reflection on the information OF the
average opera lover If he finds names
in the San Carlo list hitherto unfa-
miliar. Impresario Gallo is an I'M
presarlo In the traditional sense; IN
terested in the discovery of talent more
than in the exploitation of already es-
tablished fame. A series of works
standard in their values, essential 10
the education of every musical student
and sources of unfailing delight even
to the most experienced devotee of the
theater, should find enthusiastic patron
age in city so generous in its recog-
milton of established artistic merit as
Washington has always proved.
- Ss =
Exceptional a season OF grahd
opera is, the real novelty of the week
was the new play. THE Case of Lady
Gambler" Prominently featured IN the
cast is Lyn Hardinge. who, until lew
weeks ago, WAS tllEdStu ~ a Wv -
more classical distinction than the one
he is now playing. His performance
of Henry VIII. in the Tree company,
attracted so much attention that ne
became closely identified with II IN the
minds of all who saw it. The fact that
a competent successor was found was
a matter of surprise. But easy as IL
was for Henry VIII to md another
actor. it was no less easy for Mr.. Hard
inge to find another role in which to
reveal his competent versatility. The
physician who plays SO important
part in the story of Lady Gambler. stu
dious conscientious and quietly con-
vincing is as distinct contrast to the
portly and self-indulgent Henry as
could have been selected Mr.. HARD
inge met the test easily and securely:
The plot of Lady Gambler is a work OF
such complicated ingenuity that &C
quaintance with the play does not de-
prive it of interest. Sudden turns OF m
cident are numerous that curiosity
and surprise are still possible at the
second or third view. The well defined
and well expressed character types
constitute the chief element of interest
Among these characterizations the I'M
petuous, warm-hearted, though scantly |
cultured. Lady Gambler stands forth
with prominence which is not les |
sened by her elimination from the third ]
act of the play. The interest IN TINS
role corresponds strikingly to that felt |
in Baron Chevrial in THE Partisan |
Romance" Chevrial was the stellar fig-
ure in the cast even though he had died
and disappeared long before the play |
was over. Miss Boland's presentation
of her role adds perhaps the strongest |
portraiture to her list of achieve |
ments.
One of the most remarkable, as well
as one of the least conspicuous, ventures
in the current drama was the presenta-
tion of 'The People" at the Casino |
Theater. The play has a history of
laid by William Elliotts production. |
The Greatest Nation" whose theme |
was anti-militarism. 1t has been made |
to exemplify how play as well as |
person has the right to a change OF
opinion in the light of newly discovered
evidence. The story of warning king !
doms was easily revised to point the
moral of preparedness. Nine. forska, |
remained with the new version. which
closed it's season in Washington Friday
night, owing to an advance reservation
of Saturdays time The performance
sa% ia s.ro1s Sut the spe 0W were not as
numerous as they would have been had
the exploitation of the play been COM
parable with the expert publicity be-
slowed on the big moving pictures en-
gagged directly or incidentally in pur-
poses Of propaganda When 1t comes to |
a matter of reaching public attention, I
the moving picture has a way OF get
tlnS TeSuits WhbCA lho eoihAh6 ~ e.1"e>
cannot equal even in its most vocifer- |
Gus moments.
y y 4
The standardized forms of entertain |
ment, vaudeville and stock. maintain
their usual popularity, the audiences
appearing to find satisfaction IN !
knowing pretty well In advance what
type of entertainment they are to eX-
pect The Poll Players, this year. did |
not wait until the snow ceased flying |
70 establish themselves in the approval |
of audiences who enjoy seeing favor |
ite acquaintance in we'll known plays. !
In Washington vaudeville has come
10 claim all seasons, as well as all
phases of entertainment, from drama
TO tNs ukelele. as its own.
PHII,ANDER JOHNSON.