Pittsburgh Post-Gazette du lieu suivant : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 46

AT THE PITTSBURGH GAZETTE TIMES, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 101' News and Notes of the Theater By CHARLES M. BREGG. SIXTH SECTION PAGE TWO. If- sJMir THE wicked and tho unfortunate ntaa female figured very largely In local theaters last week. In In any hope for financial success.

Interested as thin department is in anything that will enhance the value ne Instance she was Just bad. with land raise the standard of theater op-no other excuse than irjnate cussed- portunities in Pittsburgh, these jmentsare intended as encouragement In another case she was the poor i for the new enterprise proposed by deceived maiden who exchanges her Mr. Patch. innocence for various kinds of food Neither this department nor the nl drink in the silded palaces under public generally is vitally interested the impression that she was on the in what Mr. Patch may may not i 1 iJ vin- "The 1 rl road to become the wife of a swell but dbsolute "business man." Of course there was a wife in the background, and the deceived maiden lad a mot cruel time of it until the heroic youth finally comes to the rescue.

Plays like this are not worth the space that this paragraph occupies, They are all so stupidly and narrow- I ly built for the same purpose. I The other play that cost the visitor more money at the bos office had a more pretentious settlor, was acted with infinite skill, but lacked even the element of deception to atone for the actions of a croup of aliened society people In an English environment. Here the playwright, an English man by the way. endeavored to teach the dangers of marrying into cer- tain English society by rich young American women. The play in detail, in eharacteriza- I tion and in its lack of decency and.

manners a nasty mess that teaches only the depths into which men and may fall when guided by a playwright bent on creating new phase of depravity. Plays like "Our Itetters" are called "mart" and even brilliant as a sop to the unwary. To paint people as rhameless and as degraded as some of Mr. Maugham's characters In Our Betters" is neither smart nor brilliant, no matter what language the stage puppets may be made to speak. That sort of smartness is tinsel used to hide the offensive actions in a world Into which no decent man wants to take his wife or daughter inder the guise of polite IF AX Impression of levity has been made through the various references in this department to the proposed activities of William Moore Patch at the Iltt Theater we hasten to correct It.

Mr. Patch is not a Joke. Far from it. Xo theatrical impresa- rlo of recent years has given Pittsburgh more things to talk about and 'wonder over than this same young U'-4fc or man. who found dramatic criticism too any one particular bill, though much tedious for his busy brain and In or- exploited specialties may serve to en-der to be in the real theatrical large the audiences on occasion, 'trenches took to producing.

But the continued size of the He made the same old mistake. crowds that go to the vaudeville i-i 1 Victoria a patriotic nature the Drama League of America announced last week that it will award prizes ot fM, $2.10 aim $100 for the three best patriotic piavs suitable to perform by amateurs. Although tho plays must be American in subject, they need not be historical in character. Xeither, it is announc- ed, need they bo war plays, as all plays dealing with a distinctive phase of American life will come within the competition. Mrs.

Julia Chandler, a newspaper writer not unknown in Pittsburgh, where she has been from time to time vV I'M ts fez. TPS 4 rite: LOUIS tSlMOKr Jt.a production on the, fitasjo of a Pittsburgh theater some timo this month. Tho Pittsburgh playwrights and composers are ail giving good accounts of themselves in Xew York. Zocl Parenteau ia finishing the score of a musjcal comedy for which Henry Blossom is writing the libretto. End which Joseph P.iter, another Pitts-burghcr, will produce.

Marion Hutchins. wno appears as "Luana" in Oliver Morosoo's "Tho Bird of Paradise," was horn in Boston and graduated from Emerson College in 1U09. Since then she has played a number of important roles, notably in "The Common Law," "Within the Law," "The Yellow Ticket," and with John Mason in "Common Clay." Miss Hutchins is a protege of the late William Harris of the theatrical firm of Frohman, Rich Harris, operating theaters extensively in the East, Although not a blood relation she was considered one of the Harris family. Interest is being manifested In the opening of a School of Expressive Arts in Pittsburgh which is to he. devoted to tho training of children Classes are behig formed in the arts of rythmic expression, of reading, of music and of song interpretation, and will appeal to parents who are vitally interested in the development of their children in some other way than the ordinary school.

Mrs. Irene Griffin Strohl and Miss Viola Semler are the directors of this new enterprise. 4- -f Tho war ha hit the theater hard in more than one direction. The agon- Kiiiirilv rliorns mon thev have never found chorus ma terial so unavailable, and compare tho condition to that which has existed in London for the past three years. In the British capital women and men not eligible for military service have been substituted for chorus men in the musical produc- tions, anil it is expected that a simi lar condition will prevail lure.

William Favtrsham's production of Georgo Bernard Shaw's play, "Misalliance," was mad on Thursday evening last at the new Broadhurst Theater, Xew York. Mr. Faversham does tiot appear in the play himself. This is not the firt production of the Shaw satire In America, it having been presented at the Little 'Theater in Philadelphia last winter under the direction of Mrs. Beulah Jay.

In response to demands for plays of. Pi 1, 7 VJ I 1 1 i SCHZNLZY' SPRING- MsOHH COKTS NEW PI-AY. tho news section of The Gazette Times this morning. Tho play will be continued indefinitely at the Duquesne should its drawing power prove adequate. -f Leo Ditrichstein presented his new Spanish play of the sixteenth century, "The Judge of Zalamea," in Milwaukee on Thursday evening last.

The play is by an eminent representative of the. Spanish drama Calderon de La Barca. It is a romantic drama in three acts with the locale in the little town of Zalamea, in the province of Kstramandure, Spain, during the colorful and stirring reign of Phillip II. With an Irish musical play current tiiis week in Pittsburgh; Walter Lawrence the singing comedian in "Come Back to Erin," the underline at the Lyceum, Barry McXamara. the Irish tenor at the Harris- this week, and Chauncey Olcott in the offing the sons and daughters of the "Ould Sod" are i in for the time of their lives, theatric ally speaking.

The title of the play at the Lyceum Theater this week is "A Good For Xothing Husband." To the married women who will attend it is promised that nothing personal to them is intended, while for the spinisters assurance is given that there are always better fish in the sea than have been caught. Something like nineteen plays are in existence which found their origin in the Saturday Evening Post. Montague Glass has a lot of sin to answer for. Xcws comes that Raymond Hitchcock has appointed John Hogarty Programs in Davis Autumn Vaudeville. will be officially ushered A in at the Davis Theater tomorrow afternoon (Monday, Octo-! ber 1).

Twelve Keith acts will com-I priso the program for the autumnal festival week. Pat Rooney and Mar- ion Bent will play the second edition of their lively song and dance skit, called "At the Xews Stand." They have some humorous patter mixed in with the singing and dancing. Raul Periera, who was violinist to the Portugese, court in the reign of King Manuel, is to make his first Pittsburgh appearance. He has brought to this country a sextet of string virtuosi with whom lie was associated in Lisbon, and together they will offer a concert of iiopular and classic selections. Dorothy Regel, an ingenue from tho legitimate theaters, will be presented under the management of Joseph Hart In "Flaying the Game," a one-act mystery farce writ-teqi by Tom Barry.

Helen Trix, a young woman who wrote the song hits in Anna Held's production, "Follow Me," is coming with her sister, Josephine, to offer a. cycle of original story songs from her own pen. Alfred Bergen, baritone soloist from the concert stage, will be heard in a rop- i ertoire of popular ballads and semi- classic melodies. Lew Madden will be aided and abetted by Miss Gene Ford and Alex Edwards in a little? satire on a vaudeville rehearsal entitled "Monday Morning." James T. O'Xcal and Frank W.

Walmsloy will play a skit called "The Two Lightning Bugs." Robert Emmett Keane will deliver an original monologue in which be will tell many breezy stories with both English and American flavoring. Emily Morris and Stephen Dora are to entertain with original bits of musical comedy. Burke and Fox will present a cnaracier saan-. i uree will do stunts of equilibrium. Gaston Palruer is to mingle a bit of comedy with some artistic Juggling.

Moving picture views of the Pennsylvania Xational Guard and the con think rf the motion picture Industry, so I forego the use of an extended interview on that subject submitted for publication. What we and nil Pittsburgh theatergoers are interested in is tho fulfilment of his promises to use the ill I neater for aJequate, artistic and entertaining amusement So go to it, William. 4 "TlIE vitality of Walton Tully'-? Hawaiian play. "The Bird of Paradise," is one of the singular things that one confronts in the do- main of the theater occasionally. I Constructively an artificial and more or less cnido piece of dramatic an- i thorshlp.

Its colorful Fcenes and melo- dramatic revelations' of Hawaiian characters and lifo have carried it through a half doren or more success- 1 fui years. 1 believe its visit to the Alvin this week is its fifth at that house, wherj Witn several new people In the cast antl a band of ukulele players it will doubtless repeat its former successes I am told that while the cats of this play undergo radical changes from year to year tho production remains intact, there being no "second company" on tour. Marion Hutchins is the newcomer in the cast as L.i:ana. and there aro several other new play-ers with the company this season. FESTIVAL, week at the Davis means an enlarge' vaudeville bill of 12 acts touchine- a wide variety of entertainment and presented In honor 9f the autumn solstice.

Pat Hooney and Marlon Ijer.t are named o.s headliners and following them will be drama in tabloid, music and dancing and th other established forms of entertainment affected by the two-a-day. The prosperity of vaudeville is amazing and Indicates the preference for detached amusement wherein I there is no great strain put upon the Mental processes. The Idea embraced in continuous performances ottering a variety of acts is the popular thing, apart altogether from the merit or demerit of "shows" rest upon tho character of that entertainment as a whole. It is I quite possible that a majority of the nonnlA vn to vaudeville theaters without the slightest Idea of what or who may constitute the bill That the same large audiences are seen when the performance on the stage is mediocre and has nothing of special freshness or interest to recommend it. proves this theory.

It just vaudeville and as such has its own inherent power to attract. THE Aborn Comic Opera Company made its debut at the Schenley Theater last week under very nattering auspices in the way of perform ance and popularity. Kuuoiph rimi operetta. "The Firefly," was a wisely chosen opening bill, for it has musical vaue and sprightliness of story. Glendlnning Keeble, the musical au thority of The Gazette Times-, tells me, as he told you.

that the performance as a whole was highly creditable for an organization presenting comedy opera at low prices. The production was above the average and the enterprise as a whole promises to add a new and valuable Item to our amusement opportunities. This week the same company will sing Christie McDonald's success. "The Spring Maid." a musical comedy rich in melodious tunes and with a story full of romance and humor. With such popular music plays in its repertoire, with an adequate singing force and the services of a well-equipped, efficiently directed orchestra, the Aborn venture at the Schenley should make tho hoodoo prophets as to that theater take to the tall timbers.

A letter from Joseph Piter, the young Pittsburgh theatrical magnate, anent recent references" made to tho proposed visit of Mary Anderson to this country in "Pygmalion and Galatea." contains some news of general interest as well as a copy of Madame de Xavarro's letter declin.ng the offer to come back to her native land. Mr. Riter says: 'Of course I agree with you that a tri tain oiuwuni have gone with Miss Anderson return ing to the American stage, but I cannot help but feel that there is fctilt Interest in seeing lier in 'Pygmalion and as from the London reports she ia till quite beautiful and I plays a taoioiu version 01 auove comedy with great charm and distinction. I have written to Miss Anderson that my proposition holds good for any time she might desire to come over here to play for charity, and that the entire net receipts would be given over to war funds. However I think it is very unlikely that she will ever return to the American stage for financial reasons, or for the sake of sweet charity.

"Miss Crosman in "Erstwhile Susan," started on her way to tho coast opening iii South Bend last week. She is excellent, giving a performance entirely different from that' given by Mrs. Kiske. but in its characterization Just as distinct. Miss Croeroan uses a broad stroke of tho brush where Mrs.

FisUe's performance was a fine etching. Our very dear Mrs. Fiaka Is going into a play based on tho life of George Sand, having thrown aside tho Mrs. Cuahing play, "The Belle." 'Romance and with Laura Hop Crews, is In rehearsal and expects to open within a couple of Speaking of vaudeville and Its constituted lure and variety in a paragraph in this column reminds mp of Bill Wyman's prize attraction out at the Sheridan Square Theater this week. This is the singing parson, the Rev.

Frank Gorman, whose home 4 G-71YETY NlSLO. engaged come th 111 journalism work, has he-special feature writer of the David Bolasco literary taff. She iin-nounces-this flattering news in a neat little poem to the various dramatic departments throughout the country, under cover of which she grows en- thusiastio over the current Belasco attractions. Tho first production on my stage of Thompson Buchanan's play, in which Josephine. Victor is thj star, was made at the Duouosnc Theater yesterday at tin; matinee.

A review of tho performance will be found in CONNELLY. Rooncys. There their mother, now in I lie OMliyill OI ilie, Jle? tho family home open for the wanderers when they return. The first Pat Rooney, like most of his fellows on tho stage, was profligate, and. although he earned a large recompense for his performance, ho died in comparative poverty, l'at, was then but 12 years of age.

It was incumbent that he should get out and hustle for a. living. His first professional appearance was with a play called "Lord Rooney," which had been written for his father. It proved a failure and the boy actor was stranded in Butte, Mont. He was not discouraged, however, nor was he long in convincing the managers that tho talent which had made his father famous had descended.

to the son. He sought and found work in vaudeville theaters and managed to "keep the wolf from the Rooney door" until his s-isters also found employment on the stage: Klaw Krlanger saw him and engaged him for the Roger Brothers Ktuuvd Ttt- wno fur flvt vpars under this management, after which he returned to vaudeville, married Marion Bent, daughter of Arthur Bent, the well-known musician, and is now raining a family of his own. There is a pat Rooney HI. a Httle toddler In knickers, who is said also to have inherited the talents of his distinguished sire. Ho lives at the home of his- grandmother in Baltimore part of the time and spends his summers at his father's estate on Shelter Island.

Pat Rooney, tho first, was married to Josie Granger, who for more th in years was prominent on the stage. Shu i- the mother of the Roor.eys of the present day, so that the children have inherited not only their father's talents-, but thtir mother's also. 1 0 -Vis long Jack as manager of his Forty-Fourth street Theater, Xew York. With Hogarty as manager and Conn Little as treasurer both the Irish and the great American game are given a boost. "Dew Drop Inn," recently In Pittsburgh, and "The Pawn." the play produced at the Alvin last wa-son by Frank Keenan, have suspended activities.

Walker White-sides- tried "The Pawn" this season, but failed to make it go. Winthrop Ames' first production of the season, "Saturday to Monday," will begin an engagement at the Bijou Theater, Xew York, tomorrow-night. The piece is a comedy by William J. Hurlburt and was tried out in Washington last spring. One of the few remaining legitimate players of prominence whs had not succumoea to tne tempting lure 01 tho films surrendered recently when" Otis Skinner entered into a contract w-ith Herbert Brenon to be starred In a screen production of Henry Miller will shortly begin a preliminary tour of "road" citle9 In "Anthony in Wonderland." a comedy by Moncton Hoffe, in which Charles Hawtrey has been appearing in London.

"You're In Love" is the rathev-presumptious title of the musical comedy that will come to the Alvin following "The Bird of Paradise." It is an Arthur Hammerstein production. The player selected by Daniel Frohman. Thomas Wood Stevens and B. Iden Payne to impersonate' Jean d'Arc in the forthcoming Rosemary Pageant is Ina Claire. The Davis Theater has made arrangements to report the national championship baseball games, beginning next Saturday.

The San Carlo Opera Company, with an extensive repertoire. Is du at the Alvin Theater for the week of October 22. 4- A new one-act play by James M. Barrie, entitled "Barbara's Wedding," has been received by Charles Frohman, Inc. Joseph R.

Garry, an actor whose home is in Pittsburgh, is to head one or the numerous imrieenin cnair companies this season. John Mason has suc-ceeded Roltert Edeson as the star of an A I Woods production, "On With the fnce." the Theaters script army from this state aA to be shown every afternoon and evening this week. Duquesne Josephine Victor in New-Play. At the Duquesne Theater John Cort is presenting for the first time on any stage a new play bVgJWiompson Buchanan, author ofPiVoman'j Way" and other successes. Mr.

Cort has offered $100 for a title for this new production. Miss Josephine Victor, who created such a sensation in Eugene Walter's drama, "Just a Woman," two seasons ago in Xew York, will be seen in the principal role. This new vehicle, which was selected by Mr. Cort specially to exploit the artistry of Miss Victor, is a play for the people. Its story has to do with the present and Is replete with tense scenes and stirring situations.

It is a love story, the beauty of which is enhanced by one woman's devotion. Tho supporting cast will include Ramsey Wallace, who scored such a triumph in the star role of "Kick-In" during its recent London run; Frank Sheridan and Paul Everton. whose clever work in numerous Broadway-productions is- a matter of theatrical history, and several other players of more than usual interest. Alvin "The Bird of Paradise." "The Bird of Paradise" begins a week's engagement at the Alvin Theater tomorrow evening. This marks the fifth visit of this play of Hawaiian life to this city and it is promised it will be as carefully acted as on Its first trip.

It comes this time with an, entirely new scenic equipment including the famous volcano scene. This year a new Luana in the person of Marion Hutchins loves, lives and dies as the Hawaiian princess in ber unhappy attachment for the young American doctor. Miss Hutch-1 ins appeared last season in support of Continued et Puse. History of the Rooney Family on the Stage habitat Is over in Zancsville, Mr Gorman Is doubtless the only regular. accredited clergyman in vaudeville I captivity.

The aforesaid Wyman sends me this extract from one of the flattering reviews of Mr. Gor- man worn: "Being a parson and preaching in- lercsung sermons is not an 01 tne existence, so inuiKS unr- m.in nnrl J-in dnoi Tint i1nv that his largest congregations flock to hear him sing rather than although tho.se who hea him in Zancs-ville claim that his words are those of wisdom. To be known as tho 'singing parson' is not at all to Mr. Gorman's disliking, and he preaches, sings, entertains his parishioners of the Congregational faith. Since entering vaudeville which considers as much a work for eternal salvation as preaching, if he can reach tho hearts of the people, he had been heard by thousands." Vaudeville thus robs the old adaec about "politics making strange bedfellows" of its originality and singularity.

Charles II. Jones, stage director of the Aborn Comic Opera Company at the Schenley Theater was for 12 years the guiding hand of the memorable productions of the old McCauil Opera Company, when that was the leading singing aggregation of America. Later he directed tho staging of all of the iiresentations of the Castle Square Opera Company during its long stay at the American Theater, Xew York, as well as at the Grand Opera House, Philadelphia. After the passing of that organization, he held the same position for a number of years with the Savage English Grand Opera Company, and during many past seasons' has directed the production of the Aborn Opera Companies in Xew York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Boston and other cities. Among the.

comic operas of which Mr. Jones made, tho first productions in America were "The Black Hussar." "Don Caesar," "Loraine." "The Sul tan of Sulu." "King Dodo." "The Gingerbread Man" and others. Thompson Buchanan, the author and dramatist, whose now play was given its first presentation at the Duquesne Theater last night, was born in Xew York City, June 21, 1877. Ho attended the public schools ir. Louisville, Ky-, and afterwards the University of the South.

Ho became dramatic editor and critic of the Courier-Journal and Herald of Louisville in IftOO and remained in those positions for two years. Ho then be came a reporter on the Evening Journal, Xew York. Mr. Buchanan i.i the author of such novels as: "The Castle Comedy," "Judith Triumphant" and "A Woman's Way." His plays include: "A Woman's Way," in which Janet Beecher and Cyril Scott played tho principal roles; "Lulu's Husbands," with Mabel Barrison und Harry Conor featured; "Tho Cub." with which Douglas Fairbanks starred, and "The Rack." Mr. Buchanan is an offirer in the Xational Guard and expects his addreg to bo "Somewhere in France" before nwny weeks.

Washington news dispatches last week told of tho construction of 1G big frame theaters, one for each of tin; Xational Army cantonments, now under way. This was announced by tho War Department's commission on training camp activities, with a state ment tlmt tho boKt theatrical talent ir. 1 the country had volunteered to play for tho soldiers and would bo ready to perform when too buildings were opened. -An advisory committee, beaded by Otto 11. Kahn of Xew York, lias been appointed to co-operate, with the theatrical commit tee, of which Marc Klaw is chairman.

Fred Jackson, the Pittsburgh playwright who has .1 musical oniedv libretto to his credit, has completed and has in rehearsal a straight comedy, called "Ba. Ba, Blacksheep," which he hopes to lvo an original 1 when he ventured stock at the Pitt, of i n. romoanv under the lead- ing man and leading woman system, which stultifies dramatic variety and freedom. To further Invite disaster he lected a company largely of "has teens and stuck to a repertoire that contained small opportunity for novelty or freshness. This enterprise was, naturally, a failure.

In turning to big film features Mr. Patch found a field in which hl expansive ideas rouna more room for expression, and his productions Jn this new industry were really reins liable. He treated the moving picture as an art. despite the fact that ery few of them measure up to that standard. I am not informed es to Hie material prosperity of this experiment, but at least he kept it up until the of films worthy of such elaborate treatment was exhausted, according to his own statements as to the reason his present change from the motion play to the spoken drama.

However sound or genuine this reason may be. it Is very evident tnat the young producer has now undertaken an enterprise that, if carried out properly, will test his resources in a way nof hitherto possible. If he makes good all that he has said of himself, and what his friends have for him will be verified. while his very numerous critics and Rivals will have to take a back seat. WHILE lr.

Patch says he will continue to be interested in moving pictures, more largely as a producer and distributor," tt la his announcement concerning tho Pitt Theater that Pittsburgh i most vitally concerned about. I confess to be somewhat in doubt as to Just how the Pitt is to be made a producing center similar xo rtforosco enterprise I.os Angeles. -It Is more probablo that traveling Companies with the occasional usa at a. new clay by some star who "is without a "try-out' theater tt his or her command, is Mr. Patch pnr- nose.

If this be true and Mr. Patch 1 uses goou juagmeni tnu uta capital back of him to realize his Ideas. Pittsburgh will be the gainer. An ordinary stock company reviving old plays and charging popf ar prices might be made to pay expenses, but there 1 neither prestige nor pros-rarity In such, a venture. A strong acting ensemble with production" of adequate attractiveness and playa of freshness and worth will have a chance, provided tho casts are arranged to meet the artistic requirements of the play and not the vanity the demands of some and third-class "leading" man woman.

Xf the stock starring system is Mr. patch's Idea for the Pitt the enterprise will depend entirely upon whether stars and plays through one or th other big syndicates can e-cured. On this point Mr. Patch is of coursa better Informed than this department, though his list of attractions already announced confuse one In the use made of names and plays already playing under syndicate management In syndicate theaters. THAT promises occasional engagements of big feature films, along with whatever dramatic Ventura he may undertake, will not affect the main propositlcgi.

that any attempt to succeed with the spoken drama will require extraordinary strength and drawing force. Competition in low-priced amusement has been enlarged sino-Cort established his rather tentative enterprise at the Duo.uesne. while the superior traveling organizations and lht lure of vaudeville must be counted By EUGENE L. LS "i years since Pat Rooney, per- I haps the greatest Ojn American stage lias known, crofsed "that bourne from which no traveler ever returns." Both his memorv and his talents-, however, have s-erve been .1. pre- live; children vive him and have won their way on the stage by dint of the gifts they inherited from their daddy.

The oldeot is Katie Rooney, tho only 0110 who traveled with her father in the heyday, of his career and sometimes appeared with him PnOtooney. made up exactly as he was The next is Mattie Rooney, a member of tho team of Kennedy and Rooney. Then comes Pat Rooney II, who is to play at the Davis Theater this week, with his accomplished wife, Marion, Bent. Julia and Josie are tho other Rooney children. Julia is playing with her partner on tho Western vaudeville circuit and Josie, the baby of the family, married to one of the Four Har voys, wire waiKcrs, is 1110 nappy mother of two girl babies.

With her husband and children she is marooned in Berlin. They went to the German capital more than two years ago and have not since been permitted to leave. One other Rooney child, named after the celebrated theatrical manager, Harry Miner of Miner's Theater. New York, lies buried in the family plot in a cemetery in Baltimore. Tho latter city is tho homo of the.