Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-03

minstrel fun from the magic semi
circle" to the "afterpiece" that is
not disclosed in the untiring antics
feminine comic, who establishes her
self as the resume of all the Topsies
and end men that have been hereto
fore Her methods are aggressive
She goes after laughs and gets them
in ruthless disregard OF the refine
ments.
A season Of two weeks is becom-
ing a frequent event in this city. The
charming Rose Marie" enjoyed one
as did 'Nanctte"; so will "Topsy and
Eva, and there are other similar
bookings to come. 1t is not consid-
cred likely that Otis SINNERS new
play, Captain Fury, will enjoy this
distinction here i'll future seasons.
Mr.. Skinner has availed himself OF
an eminent stars privilege to select
his own material, and il IN this case
1t does not prove conSpicuously in
line with the taste OF audiences it
can be dismissed with no great harm.
\ great actor is fortunate in the
TACT that he is estimated among his
admirers only by his successes The
regulations OF the good authors are
absorbed into his own. The less ef-
fective ones keep the public away
from the theater, and the player is
seen in disadvantage by only small
proportion OF his admirers.
l..
tory of Christmas week. most OF the
business OF the theater being CON
centrated on the last two days
Player folk used to make a great
deal OF Christmas. Special editions
were gotten out by the publications
devoted to the stage, and in these
actors delighted to become novelists
and historians in brief, as we'll as
poets. Every town had theatrical
respondents, who conScientiouslv
sent reports of each Monday night
opening TO the theatrical weeklies
which retained them: and almost in
variably business was reported good
and the play a success. John Ward.
who represented the Clipper and the
Mirror here, has a voluminous file of
these old publications, which reveal a
fascinating riot OF the literary skill
so superabundant then in the the
alter that those who took in hand the
work of organizing production could
scarcely be blamed for not foreSee-
ing its present dearth. A wilderness
OF ideas has been dcforcsted, and
good material must now be mostly
imported at an annually increa sing
expense to the consumer.
These is no wonder that the
Christina sentiment is strong among
the player folk, many OF them sep
arated from homes by many miles :;
eager i'll effort for mutual cheer in
hours that might seem especially
lonely upon a holiday. In this file
Of dramatic publications are MANY
references to an actor better known
| here as A citizen than as the Shake
! speareau star OF whom an agent for
! P. +. Barnum once said: Il am glad
| Charles B. Hanford doesn't play
Texas in the Summer; he'd sweep
. I'D all the money in the State before
/ we got there; or if he followed us
I1tN u save IL up III hiili' u ia r"
! the most remarkable Christmas gift
I ever known by player was enjoyed
! BY Hanford a week ago. After leav-
! ing the stage he had been active in
coaching speakers and members OF
: societies engaged in ritualistic work
He entered upon these lines of &C
tivitv with characteristic pleasure
and enthusiasm On Christmas eve
1924, he found in diSmay that his
voice had deserted him He waited
! in hope OF its recovery, secured med
ical attention, but found that he
could not make himself audible even
to the extent of whisper. He sue
! ceeded in readjusting himself to this
new condition. which left him so en-
tirelv apart from his old customs
and interests. About 3 o'clock last
Christmas morning he awoke and
sighed audibly. He then repeated
his telephone number, the first thing
that came TO mind. and called to his
wife. Il believe I am talking. He
then repeated the Lords prayer
without break. The most Of
Christmas day he spent in calling ur
old friends by phone and receiving
! their heartfelt congratulations.
n