The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-12
"Na1y Rose," Sir James Barrels
Latest, Features Ru'h ChaHeno7

Theater, Washington theatergoers
will be treated to what. in effect. will
be the American Premiere Of the most
eagerly anticipated play this season,
Sir J. NJ. Barries MARY Rose" for
directly following its engagement
here. the play will take up its tenancy
of the Empire Theater. New York.
The production is made by Charles
Frohman, and the company that rs
carrying on his work and the ideals
FOR which he stood.
In the stellar role will be seen
Ruth Chatterton, one Of the most tai
ented and most popular of the young
er stars of the American stage, who
appears by courtesy of Henry Miller,
under whose direction she has been
for several years.
A new Barrie play il always an
event in the theater, one of the great
est Importance, and unusual interest
attaches to this American presentation
of MARY Rose" because of the cX IRA
ordinarily enthusiastic reports con-
corning il that have emanated from
across the sea. The play was first pro-
duced at the Haym1rket Theater.
London. early last spring, and capac-
ity houses have been the rule ever
since.
NO 8utNOr mas q sure O'
a lighter touch than Sir James. and
in MARY Rose" he has drawn char
acter as touching and exquisite as IL
is fantastic and imaginative. His
heroine. the possessor of that abiding
spirit of youth, that spirit that makes
Barrie's plays stand head and shout
ders above every other play of this
day and generation, provides Miss
Chatterton with the greatest OppOr-
tunities of her career.
Charles Frohman, Inc, has sur
rounded Miss Chatterton with cast
Of notable excellence. In the leading
male role, will be seen Tom Nesbitt.
talented young English actor, new
to this country, but who has already
scored a decided success in the role
in London.
A specially trained orchestra, I'M
der the baton OF Elliot Schenck, him
self n composer of no mean ability,
will supply the preludes, interludes,
and incidental music, composed for
the piece by Norman ONeill. who will
be remembered as the composer of
the musical setting of "The Bluebird."
The music Will be given in its entire
ty, as il was in London.
Miss Ruth Chatterton is making her
first appearance in a Barrie play. She
Ia perhaps the foremost of the young
er stars of the American stage, and
her elevation to stardom, which is
now a matter of several years stand
ing. was the result of no hasty action.
but the logical and rightful recogni-
ton of a talent that is by no means
usual.
Ruth Chattcrton is New Yorker,
strange rs IL Kay seem in this day
when the native born New Worker. is
Il, inc tn ha ~
daughter OF two musically inclined
parents she inherited strong love
for music--as she says, my father
could play well on almost any instru-
ment. and my mother often lullcd me
to sleep with Chopin ballads on the
pianOfortC. an Instrument on which
she was markedly proficient" And
so 1t was music that was her tirst
love. and one that still gives her n
greot amount Of pleasure.
After an education, chiefly at the
hands Of private tutors and intruc-
tor. Miss Chatterton came to
Washington and spent several years
at finishing school here, and
il was while a student at this school.
as the result Of schoolgirl dare
! he made her first profess stage
appearance with n local stock com
pany. The role, of coure, was a small
| one. but her genuine talent was roc
ognized and then came the struggle
with herself to find out the work in
! life for which she was best fitted.
! Fortunately for the lover of the
theoter, the stage won, and she inn
! nediately took up serious training
| for what was 10 be her life work.
| This training was received in the
| rest school of all time--that OF the
| took company--for she played all
orts of roles in stock companies
throughout the country, and II Ia an
! Interesting fact to note that at one
! Tine she was n member OF stock