Evening star., 1928-05-14
Where Old Actors Played.

To the Editor of The star:
So Mr.. Dwyer tells us In criticizing
Star article OF mine that Francis Will
son never played at any other theater
than the National, excepting once, and
that was at the Columbia Theater.
Well, Mr.. Dwyer, here's where you Slip
ped a cogl / we'll remember you as
the co-manager and lessee of the Co
lumbia Theater, and even before you
we're out Of your teens. ! am surprised
that you would attempt to call me down,
and then make a flock of errors your
self in doing so.
Francis Wilson did-just as I said
play other pieces at other theaters.
Worse than that. he played them at Mr..
Dryers own playhouse, although that
gentleman tells you that Wilson was
there only once, and that was when he
played Erminie. Now listen: He also
played 1.-The Monks of Malabar" at the
Columbia Theater during the week OF
November %, 1900, while IIckett &
Dwyer were lessees and managers. AL
though / am not sure (because the top
of my program is torn Off, yet from
the character of the type, 1t looks as
though he also played there "Cyrano
de Bergerac." during the week OF Oc-
tober Is. 1899. THE Little Corporal
he played at the Grand Opera House
Surely this proves just what said.
By telling you that "The Fortune
Teller" was first played at the Lafayette
Square Opera House. Mr.. Dwyer at
tempts to mislead you into believing
made an error when / referred to its be-
ing played at the National. 1t was
played at the Lafayette Square Theater
1t was also played at the National The
ater during the week of April "A, 1899
Is there any error about TINS? l was
not writing an article about the Co
lumba Theater or some other theater;
was writing an article about the Ma
tional Theater.
Another of Mr. Dryers criticisms
says. Also he refers to John McCul-
lough, saying, One might few days
later. etc. l am afraid Mr.. DWyer
Is outrageously unfair. II he will &c
back and read The Star he will see
said. "One might few years later
not days later" but years later" Nor
can imagine how any one could con-
strue my language into 'inferring" that
the curtain was rung down on that
great tragedian at the National. That
indeed. would be far-fetched assump-
ton for any one to make.
Again Mr.. Dwyer says, He" (refer-
ring to me- OF course) "also infers that
Maude Adams Little Minister was
played at the National" I do not infer
it. state it. My program Is dated the
week of February 8. 1899.
Here's another bull: Another infer
ence is that Mrs. Leslie Carter's 'Du
Barry was at the National. This play
had its initial performance at the
Lafayette. as we'll as her greatest sue
cess. 'Zaza.'" My program shows that
'Du Barry" was played at the New Ma
tional during the week of December IL
1901. and clipping from one of Wash
;ngton's leading papers. dated Decem-
ber 13. 1901. is headed. Mrs. Leslie
Carter's First Appearance in a New
Role" also saw 'Zaza" at the Ma.
tional during the week Of October %
1899
did not see "Floradora" at the Ma
tional. trust no one thinks did.
saw 1t at the Columbia during the week
of April IA. 1902. I also saw The
Idols Eye" at the same theater
II my personal collection Of theatrica
programs. prints clippings. etc. will bt
Of any value to Mr. Dwyer In refresh.
ing his memory or Strengthening hin
out, they will gladly be put at his serv-
ice. JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR.