Evening star., 1927-05-08
By JAMES G. McFADDEN.

\ the memory book of the gay
"nineties' are recollections of ap-
pearances in Washington by bril-
l. liant 'star" artists who dominated
the American stage in that long
ago period.
These players of outstanding person
allty and authentic art visited here at
The head of touring companies in which
they had sole responsibility for hold
ing the interest of audiences in the
plays presented.
The public accorded them the high
est homage, and their performances
were the signal for a generous out
| pouring of the literary and social ele.
ments of the city. There were nights
in Washington theaters when enthu-
siasm was let loose overwhelming
every one. These thrilling nights in
the nineties had a tenseness and a
great fascination about them.
Playgoers of that day will recall
the vivid atmosphere on those nights
when Richard Mansfield offered his
many remarkable stage portraits, or
when the divine Sarah" Bernhardt
appeared as the unhappy heroine in
Victorien Sardou's mastery melodra-
mas, responding in each to a dozen
curtain calls. Ada Rehan was another
superb player of great popularity AS
katherine In Shakespeare comedy,
The Tanning of the Shrew." and also
as Lady Teazle In Sheridan's play.
THE School for Scandal" she was
unequaled.
Sir Henry Irving was one of the
most picturesque personalities in all
the history of the stage. A great in.
tellectuality was evident in all he did.
There was a quality about his acting
c he
a tumult of the soul. His depletion of
the conscience-stricken murderer, Ma.
thlas, in THE Bells provided the
thrill of lifetime. Sir Henry also
displayed his versatility In brilliant
presentations of such different charac.
ters as Richard III, the Vicar of
Wakefield. Louis XI of France. Mac.
beth, Dante. Eugene Aram, Hamlet
Mephistopheles, Charles l of England
Shylock, Robespierre and King Lear,
He wore the robe of the priest with
distinction as Thomas q Beckett, Vol.
sey and Richeleu.
Helena Modjeska visualized Rosa.
| lind to Maurice Barrymore's Orlando
| in AS You Like It," and lovely Ellen
Terry was a divine Portia. Finish and
artistic elegance always characterized
the playing of Mr.. and Mrs. W. H.
Kendall. while f. S. Willard was an.
other star then prominent who will
never be forgotten in the annals of
our stage. Mr.. Willard appeared to
advantage in Henry Arthur Jones
piece, The Middleman": Sidney
Grundy's quaint comedy, "A Pair of
Spectacles,' and n number of other
excellent plays.
What stir there was when Mrs
Leslie carter, Mrs. James Brown Pot
ter, Margaret Mather and Lily Lang
try torsook their homes and high So
clety Tor the stage; They all became
| splendid players. Mrs. Potter was
widely acclaimed as Marie Antoinette
| in Charles r. Meltzer's compelling
drama. THE Queens Necklace: Lily
Langtry made a lovely Pauline in
BulWer-Lytton's play, THE Lady Of
| Lyons: Miss Mather was an inspired
Joan of Arc and Mrs. Carter had
many triumphs in David Belasco's
great plays.
Nine. Rhea, the French emotional
artiste. drew tears from impress.
, sionable theatergoers as the Empress
Josephine and Lady Ashley In effec-
tive dramas of similar title. Rose
Coghlan was a radiant Lady Gay
| Spanker in London Assurance" and
as the Countess Zicka In Sardous
, drama. Diplomacy was widely ap.
plauded. The continued success of
Denman Thompson's bucolic comedy,
THE Old Homestead" inspired others
to present wholesome rural plays, and
none were more enjoyable than Neil
Burgess THE County Fair" and ''Old
Jed Prouty." with Richard Golden in
the name part. Wilson Barrett also
visited Washington in the 70s in
play made from a Hall Caine
novel. BENNY Chree." He was an
expert delineator Of pathos and pas
sion and exhibited admirable repose
in passages which permitted of
heroics.
James A. Herne was then present
| ing his realistic portraits of Yankee
fisher folk in those homely dramas.
"Shore Acres" and Sag Harbor"
They were entertaining tales made up
of situations as old as the hills them.
selves, but which will ever be popular
because cternally true. Joseph Jeffer-
son is, of course, held in loving re-
membrance by every one who saw
him as RIP Van Wrinkle" If ever
an actor was inspired, Mr.. jefferson
certainly was in his depletion of this
character. 1t was one Of the greatest
individual performances one could see.
The hoydenish soubrette-girlish,
romping, dimpled-Was a tremendous
ly popular type on our stage In the
90s. The success of Lolita and Mag
gle Mitchell in a number of plays
Of elementary virtue was followed by
the appearance of Annie Pixley as
Bret Harte's "Mliss," Minnie Palmer
In "My Sweetheart" and other charm
ing American artists in similar
salutary pieces. The then Minnie !
Maddern---now Mrs. Fiske--was also |
playing that sort of part in "Foggs
Ferry" early In the COS.
Lewrence Barrett was another an |
nual visitor to the Washington stage |
then as "Rienzi the Last Of the Tri- |
bunes." Julia MarloWe became known .