Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-15
OFF,STAGE DRAMA
|. MIXED Up IN OPERA
Lady Geddes Drops Out Because
Mrs. MacSwiney's Hostess
Is Patroness
UNION JACK NOT DISPLAYED

Washington. Dec. II. Irish politics.
all pcrvasivc in these stirring days, has
tragi comically entered the domain of
operate art in Washington. Names
such as those of Lady Gcddcs, wife of
the British ambassador, and Mrs. Ter
enCe MaCSwiney. widow of the lord
mayor of Cork, figured in the episode
Incidentally, the advisability, or other
wise. at this juncturc of displaying the
British flag in one of the leading thea
tres of the American capital is in
volvcd. The situation, which came to
light yesterday here. is told in print for
the first time. Washington generally
is without knowledge of it.
Polls Theatre. which is controlled
by the Shubcrts. was Monday night the
scene of the opening production of tbe
Washington Opera Company's semi
annual season of standard opera.
Aida" was given. The enterprise Is n
local, public spirited project, designed
10 form the cornerstone some day of an
American national opera Wealthy rcs
idents and society leaders provide the
funds and the social background. The
treasurer of the company is Peter A.
Drury, former brewer and now bank
president. who happens to be the host at
his home in Rhode Island avenue of
Mrs. MaCSwiney.
A few weeks ago, in preparation for
this weeks season." the management
Of the opera began assembling a list of
patrons and patronesses. Fifty widely
known Washingtonians, men and
women, lent their names. most of them
becoming boxholders. The wives of
foreign ambassadors and ministers were
nSkpI ptbnrG 20 nxtn AIo;
patronage. Among those who agreed to
support so worthy an artistic movement
was Lady Geddes. Almost at the elev-
enth hour the wife of the British am
basSador discovered that not only were
the Drurys very cOnspicuouSly identi-
ted with the Washington Opera Com
pany. but that Mrs. Drury was a pa =
troness. Thereupon Lady Geddes. in
all decorum, quietly begged leave of the
friends who had solicited her name to
withdraw II. Her request was consid-
cred justtiable under the circumstances
and it was granted without question.
Then the gala oDpning of tho
season took place A brilliant audience
was present. The interior Of the theatre
was handsomely decorated with flags of
many nations: The American flag. Of
course, was the outstanding one. Close
by it hung the flag of FranCc-Nfme,
Jusserand, the wife of the French am
bassador, is n patroncsS. The banner
of Italy was displayed. The emblem
of Cz.cho Slovakia lent note of
unusual color. But the Union Jack of
Great Britain was CONSPICUOUS by its
absence.
Conflicting stories are in circulation
today as to why the British colors
were not on view. One EXPLANATION
is that n suitable Union Jack could nor
be found in time. Major George Oakley
Totten. who is one Of the main sun.
porters of the Washington opera, said ::
"Our flag decoration scheme wos
decided upon long before the Lady
Geddes incident arose. The flag of ItaIy
was up because we are producing nm
Italian opera-Verdi's Aida The f,as
of France is displayed because we are
also doing the French opera comi1ue,
La Mascottc.' The flag of Czccho.
Slovakia owes its presence to the fact
that the Caruso Of Bohemia Otakar
Marak, and his wife, Mary Cavcn. are
our principal stars. The stars and
Stripes are omniprcsent because we are
all Americans
There the matter anDears TO rest