Evening Star Newspaper, January 28, 1923, Page 51

BOYCOTT of this Nation's Capital appears to have been declared by the drama. It has all the attributes for threatical suggestion. No sctting for a play of sentiment could be lovelier than the cherry blossom parade of Potomac Park: nothing more thrilling for melodrama than a night view of the city with its occasional illuminations flashing through the trees; nothing more splendid for a tragic scene than one of the monuments that lift themselves in marble beauty against a background of historic calm. Themes are abundant, not only those of bygone event and patriotic biography. but those of current interest, the clashing of individual purposes in the affairs of this and other nations.| It is a spot in which a Sardou would revel. There have been plays of American politics, but nonc of them revealed the real Washington. “The Almighty Dollar” gave a glimpse of the politician from the viewpoint of the caricaturist, and such plays as “The Senator” and “The Gentleman From Mississippi” were only bits of story-telling, but superficial touches of environment and atmosphere. Hoyt's “A Texas Steer” was a jolly trav- esty, but made no pretense of being a studious presentation of the life at this most interesting of cities. It would be a world favor if the delega- tions that come here from time to time for conference would bring along a few dramatists to interpret this wonder city and reveal our present 10 us, as the English author revealed to us our past in “Abraham Lincoln.” * k¥ ¥ New York as a center vf production illustrates the tendency of the theater to reflect the social condition under which it exists. Fashions in adorn- ment come from Europe and Europe generously undertakes to supply the plays along with tve costumes. When an American topic is utilized, as in “The Clansman,” filmed as “The Birth of a Nation,” or a traditional sub- ject is viewed vhrough the eyes of American genius, as in “Ben-Hur,” the public gives sverwhelming response. When an event of this kind ma- terializes. the New York managers contemplate it with the same philo- sophic calm that they display when a hundred-to-one shot comes in at the track. They are not, strictly speaking, producers. They are, rather, importers. supplying the mechanism for reproducing what has proved of interest elsewhere, but with little vitality in original creation. We are generous and devoted in our love of the drama's brain children, but we are only foster parents. *x k ¥ Ok Organization necessary for theatrical expression and distribution has been concentrated in Gotham, just as the organizations. for financial ex- pression and distribution have been centered. A frivolous inquiry as to why all the show companies were got together in New York brought the answer: conomical manufacture favors the location of a factory close to the supply of raw material. Of all cities, New York has the most theatrical boarding houses L . 5 * % k¥ Plays and productions drift casually in and out of this city, with no evi- dence of a disposition to study the tastes of a most responsive though traditionally discriminating public. No town is readier to pay tribute to a touch of genuine originality in depicting either the ridiculous or the sub- lime. But, populated largeiy by those who have made a study of the reac- tions by which the momentary enthusiasms cf a crowd arise, Washington is very nearly hokumproof. Nothing superhokum will suffice to thrill it. ¥ %k Kk ¥ The attractions of last week both spoke and sang in familiar strains. One play was a gentle domestic intimacy, another a melodramatic_platitude and the other,a musical creation, well liked. because its pretensions were slight and, therefore, easily lived up to. Julia Sanderson represents the winsome apex of the cternal musical triangle—a pretty girl and two come- dians. | £ * % Many went to see Mr. Fairbanks in “Robin Hood.” Very few could see Robin Hood in Mr. Fairbanks. The beauty of the film compensates in full measure for any doubt as to the special qualifications of star for stellar role. The relation of Mr. Fairbanks toward his film is proprietary more than artistic. It’s his film and he can do what he likes in it. ¥ Ok k¥ The Queen Elizabeth of the filme is Mary Pickiord. She rules not despoti. cally, but nepotically. To be related by birth or marriage to “Our Mary, as the publicity staff loves to call her, is to be a screen genius. She has a court of talent, but is not content, as Elizabeth was, to exploit other families beside her own. In the course of time I hope to see a motion Pickford film with a cast something like this: Heroine, Miss Pickford; hero, Husband Pickford; light comedian, Brother Pickford; leading woman, Aunt Pickford; villain, Uncle Pickford; ingenue, First Cousin Pickford; merry villagers, Second Cousin Pickford, Third Cousin Pick- ford, etc, etc. ¥ ok Kk ¥ Substantial material for the pictures is in demand, and Belasco is to turn his plays over to the studi One of these scheduled for early presenta- tion is “Deburan,” a peculiarly hopeful prospect for the silent drama. The play was one of the most beautiful in action and one of the most pitiful 3n diction that the stage has seen. * koK ok Ina Claire has been presented with a note from Lawrence Barrett, ad- dressed to an eminent old-time actor, Charles Barron, informing him that his name could not appear conspicuously in the billing along with Edwin Booth’s. Such a thing might have happened to Charles Barron, but never to Ina Claire. * ok ok ok In Baltimore Mr. Belasco announced that he intends to present more Shakespeare, Lenore Ulrich as Juliet 1n “Romeo and Juliet,” and Lionel Atwell in “Henry V.” These Shakespearean revivals used to be con- sidered jokes, but Belasco has the gift of making people take things seri- ously. Time was when the suggestion, “Dave Warfield as Shylock,” made the Rialto roar with laughter. Shakespeare was the theme of irresponsible jest. Eddie Foy often announced that he was going to play Hamlet, and the pugilist Jack Johnson made his contribution to the gayety of the day by declaring he would play Othello. This mood has passed.” If any one has any honest-to-goodness Shakespeare in his system, the people swant it, and no triflers need apply. * kK ok H ‘We must become reconciled to seeing our favorites in lighter roles de- veloping into the serious and even somber moods of drama. Who would have thought, when Ethel Barrymore made her debut here in Washington, in the fluffy Clyde Fitch play, “Captain Jinks,” that she would become a Juliet? Who would have thought the same of Maude Adams when she ivas playing in Hoyt's rural farce, “A Midnight Bell”? We must welcome these emergencies, even while we regret the loss of light companionships. 1n the playground of the theater, as in the school yard, the children that delight us with their romping happiness must in time claim the dignity of Jong pants and more extended skirts. PHILANDER JOHNSO! Daughter of a Famous Mother. LAYGOERS who can send their minds back a few seasons will recognize in the cast of “Sherlock Holmes” the name of Zeffle Tilbury, and they will recall that name with aelightful recollectlons of agreeable evenings spent In the theater when they were a bit younger. An older set of playgoers will re- call & name assoclated with that of 30iss Tilbury, the name of her mother, Jgdia Thompson; for it was Lydia Thompson who was the first’ woman to bring from England to this coun- try a troupe of burlesquers, known as ¢Lydia Thompson's British Blondes.” Ot course, the term burlesque in those days meant something different from that entertainment with which §t i1s associated now. The troupe of ¥nglish girls headed by the radlant Liydia Thompson proved a sensation to theatergoers throughout the coyn- try during their tour, not the small- est feature being excitement caused by the appearance of the beautles in 1 s startling innovation to k:ho:onn- at that early day, so long before the advent of the “Follies” +*Soandals” and like divertisements. Miss 'x'uhur{. however, was not in !gflflo‘ in that time, being born in d fn"o';"l( )ls%r ll-molllll other’s return-home. e gTew up fl England g9 » £irl, attended 2 French convent at Cherbourg and later a girls' school at Brighton, Eng- land. When but fifteen years old she made her first appearance on the: stage In London, playing a small part in the company of the late Lady Ban- croft in a play entitled “School.” Following that debut, however, her mother returned Miss Tilbury to school, 80 it was not until Christmas week of 1884 that the young girl, in- hefiting her mother's beautiful blonde beauty end artistry, made her next professional appearance on the stage of the Prince of Wales Theater, in London, in a play callea “The Paiace of Truth. The following year Miss Tilbury came to America, having been en- gaged for ingenue roles in support of Mary Anderson. _She accompanied Miss Anderson to England the fol- lowing season, meeting with an im- mense success there in “The Winter's Tale.” ~Again she came to America at the head of her own company, ap- pearing In a Shakesperean repertoire, being one of the youngest stars of her time to appear in such an ambi- tious fleld. Then followed two sea- sons with E. S. Willard in “The Mld- dleman” and “Judah.” Her next suc- cess was in “The Crust of Society.” Miss Tilbury was one of the first actresses to promote outdoor per- formances of Shakespeare in America, her first venture of the skind being 2 lavish presentation of “As You Like 1t,” in which her mother appeared as ‘Audrey. Two other famous actors of that generation also appeared in that Interesting ocast, Arthur Lewis and Frank Banks. Seoy CROPPER Polir // V/ MURRAY, Belasco, 0N DODGER> BEAUTIES, JOSEPH HOFMANN, Polis Current Attractions AT THE THEATERS THIS WEEK. NATIONAL—William Gillette, “Sherlock Holmes.”” Opens tomor- row evening. POLI'S—“Blossom Time,” evening. PRESIDENT—“Abie’s Irish Rose,” comedy. evening. KEITH'S—Vivienne Segal-Harry Carroll, vaudeville. Shubert musital play. Opens this Performance this New show opens with matinee tomorrow. BELASCO—Shubert vaudeville. Opens this afternoon. COSMOS—The Four Amaranths, matinee tomorrow. STRAND—“Broadway Snapshots,” vaudeville. noon. GAYETY—“Temptations of 1922 burlesque. noomn. vaudeville. New show opens with Opens _ this after- Opens this after- RAM’'S HEAD PLAYERS—Lady Gregory’s “Grania,” folk drama. First performance Wednesday evening. NATIONAL — Gillette-“Sherlock Holmes.” Tomorrow evening at the National Theater Willlam Gillette will In- augurate a week’s engagement in the revival of his own classic among all thrillers, the first of them all, in fact, “Sherlock Holmes,” written by Mr. ‘Gillette himself around the ad- ventures of the famous Conan Doyle character, although not based on any particular Conan Doyle story. First performed at the Garrick Theater in New York in 1899, it met with a success little less than a triumph. It has served Mr. Gillette as an {mportant part of his repertoire ever since. A constant and insistent demand for its revival is now met by Mr. Gillette and the Charles Frohman Company, in a superb production with 8 capable company of players, headed by Nora Swinburne, & young actress fresh from a two-vear triumph in London. Others include Zeffle Til- bury, Ada Sinclair, Raphaella Ottiano, Mary Rawiston, Edward Flelding, E. J. Ratcliffe, Willlam -Podmore, Harold West, Thomas A, Braidon, Ralph Kirkwood, Leslie Stowe, J. C. Matthews, Dorian Anderson, Henry Morey, Fred Fulton, Cyril Ingram, Robert Bert and Harry James. 1t is emphasized that during the engagement” the curtain at all even- ing performances will rise promptly at 8 o'clock and at the Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2. POLI'S-—“Blossom Time.” “Blossom Timd" the charming op- eretta or musical comedy, which has been running to capacity patronage in New York for well over two years and a half, returns to Washington after the long Broadway run tonight at Poli's for & week's engagement. nmw‘hoh'oflcd'lzmin it_wwas first run _here lor - advent NewYork will want to hear It again, 5 and those who have never heard it should not miss the opportunity be- cause its lovely musical score is taken almost entirely from the songs and other master works of Franz Schubert, the great composer. The same company and production which has been delighting New York for months at the Century Theater are promised here. Chief among the singing players are Hollis Davenny, a former member of the Washington Grand. Opero Company, who during war days was the director of the Washington Community Chorus; Roy Cropper, a young tenor of remark- able vocal gifts; Teddy Webb, a humorous and agreeable comedian, and the Misses Laurel Nemeth, Helena. Brugovna and Sonya Leyton, all prima donnas. ‘The story of “Blossom Time"” is founded on an episode in the life of Franz Schubert, who, apparently, had but one suthentic affair of the heart. The book and lyrics are by Dorothy Donnelly, and_the music, taken al- most entirely from the famous songs and unforgettable motifs of Schu- bert's larger works, has been beauti- fully adapted by Sigmund Romberg. Single musical numbers here and there were composed by H. Berthe, a modern writer of Vienna. The plece ‘was staged by J. C. Huffman, and the ldln?el ‘were arranged by Frank Gil- esple. 5 The scenes are all laid in O1d Vien- na (1826), and the work as a whole, now grave, now gay, and later turn- ing to romance, often conjures the life of the gay European capital in its heyday of earlier generations. PRESIDENT—‘Abie’s Irish Rose.’ | (Tenth Week). “Abie's Irish Rose,” Agne Nichols’ comedy, which has already achieved s Angeles, New York, San Franct: co, Baitimore and Washington, will qrn at the President Theater ton! L 0 o'clock, its tenth conwecut CHARLES MARSHALL, CHICAGO CIvVIC OPERA. CO. P SIS TSNS, S ST TN RN, EMILLO de GOGARZA, HNaétiornal weeks’ engagement, under the direc- lfior{l‘ot Arthur Lesiie Smith and Henry ufty. “Abie's Irish Rose” has now ac- hieved the longest run of any at- traction, stage or séreen, in the en- tire history of Washington theatrical offerings. Harry Manners has staged the production. The same metro- olitan cast that was specially se- lected for this engagement continues to appear in support of Henry Duffy and Eileen Wilson in the chief roles. This cast includes Leo Hoyt, Robert Lowe, Harry Shautan, Anne Suther- land, Guy D'Ennery, John Carmody and others. “Able's Irish Rose" presents a series of complications caused by the clan- destine marriage of a Jewish youth and an Irish girl, and their consterna- tion and dismay of their respective families over the mixed marriage. KEITH'S—Vivienne Segal and Harry Carrol. Vivienne Segal and Harry Carroll, both eminent in their respective lines, Miss Segal just out of Emmerich Kal- man's “The Yankee Princess” and one of the prima donnas of America, and Mr. Carroll, well known to vaudeville followers as the writer of a great flock of popular and production songs, will_bring their new act, “In Songs,” as the real big offering of the Keith bilk this week. They are headlinérs in every sense of the word. C. B. Maddock, whose “Fifty Miles From Broadway” was seen at Kelith's quite recently, is represented by “The Son Dodger,” a new revue by . Roy Briant and Willlam White, as_the added attraction. It features John Walker, supported by 'Richard De Mar, Lilllan Lester and Leda Errol. The' “Luminous Gowns"” displayed in “The Son Dodger” have been brought by Mr. ddock direct from Paris at a cost of $6,000. Rae Eleanor Ball and brother, in “Moments Musical,” will occupy the third position. Both are accom- plished musicians. Jane Connelly and assoclate player will present- “Ex- trivagant Wives,” by Miss Connelly and her brother. It is a modern fable with a big human note. Also it is comedy. Others are George Yeoman and Liz- sle, in “The Editor of the Assinated Medbury, the “Those - Synco- Combe ~_and evins; the Palermo dogs, Starring “Bessle,” and Mack and La Rue, popu- lsr athletss. = The houss features, Aesop's o8, Topics o ay an ‘ld.dsd.r.n. News fle!'fld "1 be 2 4 NNt SN NTIOSNTNTLNTLON CABIES IRISH ROSE™ President. % ! | ! { | | | 'wlth the Chicago Civic Opera Company BELASCO—“Washington Follies.” An_“all-star” Shubert vaudeville bill of eight acts, with the “Washing- ton Follies.” a Syncopated Tevue de- vised by Miss Estelle Murray, as an added attraction, will comprise the program at the Belasco this week. Among the acts of featured prom- fnence will be Bob Nelson, assisted by Herbert Hewlitt at the plano, in a 8Toup of up-to-the-minute melodies, and El Brendel and Flo Bert, in thel comedy absurdity, “Yon Yonson's Courtship.” “The Washington Follies” will serve to introduce more than a score of talented entertainers of the National Capital. Miss Estelle Murray, leading woman of the St. Patrick Players, will be seen in & special tango dance with Royal Foster. Others who will ap- pear In the cast of principals include James K. Young, Tona Weems Os- wald, Elleen Lally, Mildred Inge, the Dorbin Twins and Miss Esther Mc. Leod. besides a chorus of twelve of Washington's prettiest and youngest embryo stage stars, COSMOS—“The Four Amaranths.” Departing from the usual revue, the Cosmos Theater this week is pre- senting a beautifully costumed and staged novelty by the famous “Four Amaranths,” which introduces grace- ful dances, clever hand balancing and most unusual acrobatic features, It is unique in the way of headline at- tractions, A second big feature will be the “Musical Bangards” widely famed as “The Blue Devils of Vaude- ville,” and a third will be “The Head- liners,” a clever company of players, in a bit of back-stage life, entitled “A Monday Morning Rehearsal.” _ All three are real features of a carefully chosen bill. In addition, Nelson and Madison. a clever team of comedy piayers, will present a new singing and chatter sketch; Hart, Wagner and Eltus, “A Comedy Hodge Podge,” well recom- mended in the advance motices, and Davis and Rich, a new planologu presenting the latest song hit: Quite as important as the headline features, in the opinion of the man- agement, is the latest Universal pic- ture featuring Frank Mayo in “The Altar Stairs,” of which much has been printed recently. It is a story of thrills Involving a terrible vengeance that is checked by a tender memory. “The Master,” a first run century comedy, the Urban Movie Chats and fare | the management of Mrs. Concerts—Lectures Newman Today—‘‘Khartoum.” E. M. Newmn's raveltalk “Khar- to _be presented at the New National Theater this evening and to- morrow afternoon, is the fourth s tion of the Across Africa, Cape-to- Cairo series. It leads to the haunts of the wild animals and birds. The col- lection of motion pictures affords close range glimpses of the spring bok, the impala, the gazelle, the sa- ble antelope. the hyena, water buck and kudu. The leopard, a dangerous member of the cat family. is seen in the open before and after he has killed his prey. A group of color views and motion pictures begins on the shores of Vic- toria Nyanza, then across Kenva ter- ritory to the sea, showing glimpses of Dar-es-Salaam, the former German port, Zanzibar: “the Isle of Spice,” and Nairobi. The Roosevelt trail is fol-| lowed. In the wilderness savage | tribes are encountered and the lowest class of African savage is vlisited. Masais, Kavirondo and the more en- lightened Baganda tribe are shown in the!r jungle homes. At the jpnction of the Blue and White Niles lies Khartum, mystery city, scene of Kitchener's triumphs, the seat of the Sudan government that gave the touch of truth to Kip- }:ns'< song of the “far-flung battle ne. Janet Richards, Tomorrow. Miss Janet Richards will give her Monday morning talk on public ques- tions tomorrow at 10:45 o'clock fn the auditorium of the New Masonic Temple, 13th and New York avenue, Tomorrow's talk will be an inter- pretive review of the outstanding events in the world for the past week, Including the latest develop- | men in the Ruhr as a result of the French occupation, the lowering | of the Stars and Stripes from Ehren- breitstein, Kemal Pasha's appeal to the American people, the Lausanne conference, etc. The talk will be repeated in the | evening at 5 o'clock under the auspices of the business women's de- partment. Y. W. C. A., in the Church | of Our Father, 13th and L streets northwest. Swiss'Lieder Singer, Tomorrow. Hanns in der Gand, the popular Swiss lleder singer, wiil give his last concert on his tour to the United States tomorrow evening, 8:30 o'clock, in the baliroom of the Sunset Inn, 1407 Massachusetts avenue, under the au- spices of the Swiss Club of Washing- | ton, D, C. For more than thirty years Hanns in der Gand has made a speciaity of searching for old Swiss folk songs in the French, German and Itallan sec- tions of his country. His collection at | the present time contains songs that four to five hundred years old. His baritone volce, his artistic interpre- tatlon and his playing of the lute (one of the oldest musical instruments known in Europe) make him an ideal entertainer. Josef Hofmann, Tuesday. Joset Hofmann, the noted planist, will be heard in recital Tuesday after- noon at Poli's Theater at 4:30, under Wilson- Greene. 0 Josef Hofmann has long been re- garded as one of the sanest and most interesting personalities among musi- cal geniuses. His mastery of the piano is unquestioned, His program will include “Sonata, Opus 106 (Beethoven), allegro, scherzo, adagio, sostenuto; finale, “Introduction and Fugue”; “S Etudes" | | regularly give. ibetween (Chopin), E major, A fiat major, C sharp minor_duet, flat major (black keys), C minor (Revolution); ‘“Mignonettes” (Chil- dren’s Corner), “Lonesome,” “Wooden Soldiers (march), “Complaint,” * ter’s Dolly”; “Etude in C Major" (for the left hand alone),’ “Consolation in D Flat Major,” “Spanish Rhapsody" (Liszt). Seats are on sale at Mrs. Wilson- Greene's concer{ bureau, 13th and G streets. Rev. G. Vale Owen, Thursday. A lecture entitled “Psychic Science and Human Survival” will be deliv- ered at the National Theater Thurs day afternoon at 4:30 o'clock by Re G.” Vale Owen, Church of England clergyman. whose lectures on the spirit world have aroused unusual fn- terest The lecture will be under the lvcal management of T. Arthur Smith, Tne. Mr. Owen, who is making a briet lecture tour in this country, is the author of several works relating to survival beyond the grave. He be- came an international figure about two years ago following the publica- tion of his messages from the spirit world obtained by means of auto- matic writing. Emilio de Gogorza, Friday. Emilio de Gogorza, the distinguished baritone, will appear in song recital at the National Theater Friday afternoon at 4:30 under the management of T. Arthur Smith, Inc. Gogorza occupies a pecullar place among singers. Although ranking as one of the finest artists we have, cach season he limits himself to a compara- tively small number of concerts. He sitals in some of the largest cities, like New York and Bos- ton, and sings with the most important orchestras and choral socleties, but in- stead of giving a hundred or more con- certs each season. as he easily might do. he is content to sing not more than forty times—fifty at the utmost—and then he returns to his home in Bath, Me., where he lives with his distin- guished wife, known for many years in opera and concert as Emma Eames. Tickets are on sale Smith, Inc., 1306 C sharp m!m:rd 1 Hugh Walpole, February 15. Hugh Walpole, the English novelist and critic, is to appear at the New National Theater Thursday afternoon. February 15, in a lecture on “Novel Writing' and Novel Reading. He talks of the modern novel in all its complexities, taking a stand midway those critics who consider the novel as “something mysterious, away from life.” and those who con- sider it “trivial attempting to relate it to life”” One must have a back- ground of books accepted through other generation with which to judge a modern work, he says. Mr. Walpole's lecture here is for the benefit of the Boys’ Ciub, ird and C streets. Arthur Shattuck, February 15. Arthur Shattuck, a pianist who has endeared himself to the connoisseurs who take art seriously, by put musicianship above flashy virtuo: will be presented by T. Arthur Smith; Incorporated. at the Masonic Audi torium Thursday e ing. February 135. Alfred Cort;t.?;'ebru&ry 16. Alfred Cortot. the French planist, will make his Second appearance in Washingion this vear Friday, Febru- ary 16, at the Nafional Theater under the local management of T. Arthur Smith, Incorporated. MaryGardenand AmericanOpera MARY GARDEN, who is perhaps| the best known opera einger in the world and who will be heard here soon, is looking for an American op- era. Sha has been looking for such a work for several years, it is sald, but without result. “There is no reason why we should not have American opera,” Miss Gar- den eays, “and no reason why such opera should not be sung in_ English, but first of all we must get the opera. I have examined hundreds of manu- scripts submitted by composers repre- sentative of nearly every state in the Union. It may seem strange when 1| say that several of the scores which | have come to my attention have been | entirely worthy, but I have yet a good libretto. i “Most persons imagine that the com- posers are all of foreign birth and that 1o one could write an operatic score un- less he lived in Fran Italy, or some Loughlin. Each member of the cast| 1s #aid to be an excellent dancer. Anna Marston and Monocle Manley Wwill offer the comedy skit, “Do You Follow Me"?, written by Charles Smith. Manley is an eccentric Eng- lish gomedian, and & song and dance rounds out the act. Dobbs, Clark and Dare, a trio of comedians, sing, dance and engage in comedy chatter, as well 2s some unusual acrobatic feats and funny falls. Herman Berrens will offer a planologue, with special song numbers, and Ed Nestor and Belle Vincent, a comedy juggling, balancing and acrobatic act. GAYETY—“Temptations of 1922.” “Temptations of 1922" opens at the Gayety Theater this afternoon with “twenty tantalizing temptresses,” ac- cording to the billing describing show- girls who can sing and dance, and arrayed in expensive finery that is sure to please woman patrons. Don Clark, who staged the presentation, and Danny Murphy, eccentric come- dian, are the featured members of the cast, with Joe Yule, seconding the comedy efforts in “nut" foolishness. Clark and Murphy will follow through the many revue soenes as “Mr. Gal- lagher and Mr. Shean,” and besides sustaining the comedy, will offer a vaudeville specialty replete with snappy patter and rollicking comedy. antics. Mabél Clark, a pretty soubrette; Exie Butler, prima donna, ith a delightful voice, and who “yodles” and also plays a saxophone with jazzy outcomes, with Inez Smith and Marie Lauritz, all principals, adorn the feminine cast. Johinny Crosby, known as “The Chorus of Burlesque” will be heard in solos as well as with Mabel Clark. Jules and Helen Le Barbe, from the Folies Bergere, Paris, will contribute whirlwind ~dances, and feature an “Apache” number. Arcade. A distinctive feature of the Arcade Auditorium is the frequent practice of congenial family parties or social groups who visit this place of amuse- ment, some to enjoy the dancing, the International News will complete the bill. < Today, starting at 3 p.m., last week ractions will be presented for the last time. STRAND—“Broadway -Snapshots.” A snappy song and danCe revue, “Broadway Snapshots,” will be fea tured at the Strand Theater this week, opening with the matinee to- day. ' The picture, “The Marriage Chance,” has as its star Milton Sills. “Broadway apshots” is a revue described a came filled with and steps with a ed; st {nclud: o while others are content to occupy the comfortable balcony seats and 1isten ‘to the -music of & well tralned orchestra and watch the brilliant scene below. The special events for this week, in addition to the regular nightly dancing program, will be a ‘Paul Jones” to morrow and a novel viation” dance Thursday, when ‘prizes from the air” will be awarded. HOWARD—“How Come?” “How Come?" the new colored musical offering of comic sayings and doings at the Howard, would have been held a second week if the crowds applauding it could have changed the route of the production, Popular opinion puts the attractlon in a new class for colored shows. Its other foreign country. But this is a mistake. There ure several good com- posers right here in the United States, and some of them have never had u hearing. “But why the libretto submitted by American authors should be so weak Is somethiug that puzszles me. American libretto writers all seem to belleve It necessary to delve back into their his- tory for eubject matter. Nine out of ten American libretti include Indians and pioneers. ‘Why not a modern American opera? A theme based on_ certain phases 6of lfe as it Is lived in our large cities or in picturesque parts of the country. ‘Loulse’ §s an exposition of modern French life, and “The Jewels of the Ma- donna’ shows Naples as it is today. There are plenty of stories and novels written around American life and_they are interesting. _“Why doesn’'t some American writer give us a libretto on thia theme? But all we get is Indian life, and I Indians. story and situations, for the first time in this sort of product, prove as jr- resistibly amusing as the score is melodious. 1 added feature of “How o/ last performance tonight will be a real marriage performed on the stage. Local engaged couples have been in- vited by the Howard management to Join the pair to be wed in » pool wedding, with the management pay- ing all fees and furnishing ushers, bridesmaids, best man, 'n evarsthing. Ram's Head Players—Lady Greg- ory’s “Grania.” The Ram's Head Players, under the direction of Robert Bell, wiil present ‘““Grania” for ten performances, five each week, beginning Wednesday and including turday matinee. The cos tumes and settings are beautiful, hav- Ing been designed by James Reynolds from his own drawings made i1 land two years ago. It is sald of Lady Gregory, author of “Grania,” that she handles some orders of drama pleasantly, the farce more than pleasantly, and the folk- tragedy nobly. Certain it is that she knows Irish life all through. Irish- men and Irishwomen rarely know it today. Along with Yeats, she has brought back to life the older cycles of Gaellc legend. Her use of the Irish {diom has quaintness, beauty and charm and is especially effective in romance of a dim, legendary world, in_which she so excels. Her “Grania,” which is to be the third production of the Ram's Head Players, is a folk romance of the pre. historic era, and it is admitted that in this play of old Ireland Lady Gregory proves herself a master in the writ- ing of great and fomantic tragedy. Tickets for season subscribers, stu- dents and single nights at the theater office, 1328% 18th street. Franklin 5§, Schubert Festival Sug- gested. (COINCIDENT with the return of “Blossom Time,” the musjcal pla$ founded on an incident in the life of Franz Schubert and utilizing much of that great composer's music in ity score, a “Franz Schubert festival,” in honor of the life and work of the great composer whose birth annivert” sary ocours In this month, has beep proposed. The music houses of the city, it is suggested, might contribute window displays and the publig schools, as well as music schools, oba: serve the week wiih speclal recitaiy from Schubert music. Indeed, sqmé of the larger musical societies might plan concerts for the public made u| entirely of Bchubert compositions.