The sun., 1919-02-16

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w The question promises to go
down in theatrical history
and be as much of a mystery as the one
that has gone down in local political
history as to who struck the cele-
brated Billy Patterson.
Helen Hayes is the very youthful ac-
tress who plays the dream daughter in
Barrie's Dear Brutus." She has just
one scene in the second act of the play
with Mr.. Gillette, and her work in this
particular scene has unquestionabiy
''mede her." as far as New York Is
concerned. Now countless people have
come forward with the claim that they
were the first to discover her talent.
The same thing happened in the case
= OF Maude Adams. After the first per-
Torrance of Hoyt's farce, "A Midnight
Bell" at the old Bijou Theatre a num-
Der of people who declared they were
the first to see talent in the slip of a
girl" who played the school "marm"
became legion. The fact is Charles
Frohman had her in mind when she
was child playing in San Francisco
and long before she had been called to
the attention of Charles Hoyt.
Miss Hayes Is Washington girl,
and 1t is a safe assertion to make that
80 per cent. of the theatregoers in the
capital lay claim to having discovered
her. Dear Brutus' was given in
Washington before coming to the En-
pire. and the business manager Of the
company declares that during the week
the play was there no less than seven
teen men asked for seats for the per-
formances. They included dancing
teachers, elocutionists and stage man
ayers. and as an excuse for their re-
quests they all declared they had been
the original discoveries of Helen
Hayes.
In sitting down the claims Of those
who argue they did the Christopher
Columbus work with little Miss Hayes
Lew Fields comes to the front with
George Tyler and ALI Hayman right
at his heels. II Fields was the first &c
secure the girl it was because he had a
place ready made for her while the
others had to wait for one.
The capital still retains many ole
fashioned customs. Several of the
teachers of dancing there continue Il
give public entertainment each year
usually of an afternoon at one Of thu
prominent playhouses in which thu
pupils disport publicly to show Off tn
skill of the teacher. Miss Hayes at tn
age OF took part in one of thes
yearly affairs given at the Belasc'
Theatre. Lew Fields happened to b.
playing in Washington that week an
dropping into the theatre for his ma
saw the child dance. This led to hi
seeing her mother at once and arrang
ing for the child's appearance with hi
company the season following. Field
was in a hurry, and it was well tina
he was, for word had gone out tina
here was a child that was worth Yatch
ing. In a big book marked Futures
in the Frohman offices there is still
printed clipping OF the special matine
with a picture and description OF Mis-
Hayes.
The little girl remained with Field
for over two years, at the end OF whic
time her mother decided to take he
back to Washington and school. Bu
the young one was not destined to b
free for any great length of time. He
mother had to refuse many offers IL
her until one came from a stock CON
pany playing in the city. BY accept
ing this the youthful actress could cor
tinue her studies. have an exceller
training and still possess the comfort
OF home Joining this company Mis-
Hayes remained with it for nearl
three years.
It is at this point that George lyle
becomes n factor in the career OF Mis-
Hayes. He had seen the actress
we'll as heard all about her. Organi;
ing road companies for "Pollyana,' h
FIRST engagement was of Miss Haye
to head the company going to the Pa
cifc coast. Before the company lie
for It's tour the manager had signed
contract for term OF years with Mis-
Hayes's mother for the young girl
services. 1t was not until Tyler ha
produced "Penrod," in which he cal
the 81. I'D New Workers have a vie
OF the little actress.
It is an interesting story as to no
All Hayman secured Miss Hayes II
Dear Brutus" There has been SUI
prise as to why New York had to wa
50 long for the presentation of Il
Barrie play. This was due to the veI