Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-02-17
TheutricuIs
Here Lure
Sociulites
NotobIes in Past
Took to Boards
For Amusement
By Katherine M. Brooks

The pendulum swings again
and those in society are once
more interesting themselves In
amateur theatricals. There
probably never has been a time
devoid Of amateur actors and
actresses in schools and colleges
and clubs. But not always have
those who take an active part in
things social played at acting.
These groups have come and
gone with a varying amount Of
success.
The group that surrounds
Mrs. Eli Bamford Smith-better
known to lovers of the drama as
Maud Howell Smith-never lets
its interest wane. Mrs. Smith,
who possesses unusual histrionic
gifts. offers q prize each year for
the best one act play. She has
been the character" lady in
various groups including those
In the Arts Club.
. The most recent Of these
groups Is the Tri-Color Theater
which has given one perform
ance and will repeat LES
Femmes SavanteS" by Moliere
Thursday evening. The first
performance was given in the
Lobby Theater in st. Matthews
Alley with considerable success.
The three Femmes Savantes
were portrayed as listed on the
program by Madeleine Austin.
Alison Wayman and Polly Flem-
ing. The gentlemen of the cast
included Philippe Lorrain. who
has had q bit Of professional
experience with the Coincide
Franchise, and Raymond For
ester, who is with one of the
French missions In Washington.
The play was presented under
the direction Of Countess Picot
d'Algny. whose husband has
been with a French mission, and
shortly will become an American
citizen. The Countess also has
had some professional exper-
fence not only in directing, but
play writing under the name Of
Marion Vandel.
Miss Austin has spent her
winters In Washington with her
mother. Mrs. T. Septimus Aus
tin, since her debutante days
and although they travel ex-
tensively they usually come
back to the Capital for the
winter. Miss Austin was a tire
less worker with the French
missions during the war using
her knowledge of French and
English to advantage.
Memory recalls The Play
house on m street just of
Connecticut avenue, and the
small and very complete the
alter built by the Edison Brad
leys In the garden of their home
where now the Dupont Circle
Building stands. MIR. and Mrs.
Bradley were among those
wealthy New Workers who came
to spend their winters in the
Capital early in this century.
They built the house with its
entrance on Connecticut ave-
nue. and also one on Nineteenth
street and after a winter or
two decided a small theater
would be more useful to them
than a flower garden.
Easy Egress
The little playhouse also had
O separate entrance on the
avenue. with another entrance
or exit on Nineteenth street.
The interior was fashioned
much after the theaters of
Shakespeare's time but ike the
other part of the Bradley
mansion the furnishings were
mostly from Italy.
The first event in the theater
was a benefit recital in late
November. 1912. when the
artist was Mary Garden. Then
early in 1918 Mrs. Bradley
loaned the theater for a bazaar
to which she gave many of her
own treasures and another large
sum was realized for one of the
popular charities of that day.
Later a French play was given
on February 16, 1918 with the
Viscountess day, wife of the
French Naval Attache, Miss
Dorothy Shuey and Count Pom
tao, who came down from New
York. The short play was
"L'Etencelle" and the three
aspiring Thespians played to a
very distinguished audience.
President William Howard
Taft was there as well as Miss
Helen Taft and her cousin Miss
Catherine Anderson. The Pres
ident stayed only q short time
but Miss Taft and Miss Ander-
son remained for the supper and
dancing which followed the per-
(Cont'd on Page Dis, Col. ~
T,.,>N II:~>.~