Evening star., 1927-05-08
Stage History Linked With D. c.. Theaters,
In the Nineties, When Stars Twinkled

the national flag. Prominent Army
and Navy officers often attended the
theater and were uproariously re-
ceived. Admiral Schley was particu-
larly popular. One evening / re-
member that he and a party viewed
the performance OF those clever
Dutch" comedians, the Rogers
Brothers. in their first starring
vehicle. "A Reign of Error"
Henry w. Savage introduced a
| Castle Square" opera company in
Washington in the 9Os and presented
favorite comic operettas most elab-
orately. Most of them were Of
European origin and had been sung
for the first time In this country at
the New York Casino just a decade
earlier. Raymond Hitchcock became
widely known while he was principal
comedian with this Castle Square"
troupe. Lizzie MacNichol. Thomas
Persee and Edith Mason were other
great favorites. Good resident dra-
matte stock companies also pre-
sented a wide range of stage litera-
ture. a patron became familiar
with plays of expert technique. such
as THE Silver King" Camille"
"Magda," 'Alone I'm London" Leah
the Forsaken." Hazel Kirke." The
Two Orphans" after Dark. +" I'm
der the Gaslight." oliver Twist"
Blue Jeans" "In Old Kentucky
and ''Virglnius" as well as all of the
Dion Boucicaul, and BARLEY Camp
bell plays. Tragedy and comedy
the charm of romance. the thrill OF
melodrama.
Vaudeville also has its entertainers
Of outstanding personality i'm Ma.
Wills. Marshall p. Wilder. Maggie
Cline. John W. Kelly. Ciarice Vance.
George Fuller Gordon. Lottie ellison,
Carmencita, Alice Atherton, Ezra
Kendall. Ching Ling Foo Barry AMI
Fav, Pat Rooney the Four Cohans,
George Monroe. Bryne Brothers, Her.
mann the Great. Henry Lee. Russell
Brothers. Helena Mora and often pre-.
sented dramatic gems, such as Richard
Harding Davis play. 1.-THE Littlest
Girl. as enacted in the 90s by
tells piece, "a Lesson in Acting:
Rose Coglan's draml. Between Matt
nee and Night: John Rice's laughable
farce, and Mr.. and Mrs. Sydney Drews
charming domestic comedies all Of
which added grace to variety bills.
Whereas the premier layers of the
90s often were burdeEed with in
ferior support and sole responsibility
for holding the interest. today the
play Is usually presented by Il east Of
great proficiency. for the play is nov
a study in ensemble rather than a
vehicle for individual acting. The play.
wright has discarded the broad strokes
of former days and paints in finer
colorS
The actor is therefore required 10
reveal similarly f'ne distinctions in
the delineation of complex characters.
There is no doubt that there are play
ers in the rising generation on our
stage as talented and effective as
those of the 90s and due for great
achievement. The general average Of
acting ability is far higher today than
formerly. There are excellent pros
poets for the artistic future of Paul
inc Lord. Ann Harding. Eva Lee Cal
liene, Ann Davis. Glare Ames. Kath-
crime Cornell. Alice Brady. Margalo
Gilmore. Estelle Winwood Helen
Hayes, Winifred Lenihan. Helen ca
hagan. Lynn Fontanne, Rollo Peters.
Walter Hampden. John Barrymore.
Fritz Leiber. Alfred Lunt. Mckay
.Iorris and many others.
AS Lord Tennyson has said.
The Old order changeth. yielding
place to new;
Lest one good custom should cor
rup. the world"