TIIE SUNDAY"- OREGOXIAN, PORTLAND, DECEMBER 17, 1911
0
MARGARET ILLINGTON AT HER BEST IN DRAMA - ,
IN WHICH SHE SACRIFICES HER GOOD LOOKS
Theater Week Regarded as Worst in New York Year Find Every First-Clasa House Open and Successful Nasimova Stars in French Play That Has
Little Plot and Is Not Ample for Popular Actress.
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TT UOTD r. LONEROAX.
NEW TOllK. PC. 1. lSpclJ.
Th comlnic ek. peaking' the
atrically, is th worst la th
)tir, but thre la little rn the surface
to indicate It- Kvery firat-clasa house
In the city Is open, and business Is gen
erally good. At least, that la what the
manacer say- Still. It l safe to pre
dict that they will be g'.al when the
holiday season Is over.
Four well-known women stars made
their bow for the season to the New
York theatergoers last week. All are
deservedly popular. In fact. It was the
greatest array of new feminine talent
t?iat bas trod the boards In any one
week slnc the season opened. This
theatrical quartet consisted of Alia
Naxlmoia. Ethel Barrymore. Margaret
lUlngtoa and Kisle Ferguson.
Probably the most Interest attached
to Miss Ililnrton. who divorced Daniel
Frohman. married again and left the
stage to "darn stockings" and have a
happy home life. The last time we
Mw M'.ss I'.llngton she was the light
fingered lady star of "The Thief."
Now she comes back., as thlevtah as
ever, for "Kindling." her new offer
ing. Is the Bernstein play, transferred
to tfae tenemerA district.
1 -The Thief" the heroine stole to
gain means to hold her husband s love:
In -Kindling" she steals, hoping to
gain decent surroundings and a fight
ing cfcance for her unborn child.
The new play Is by Charles Kenyon.
Western newspaper man. The story
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Is of the tenements, and all the action
takes place In the living-room of what
is supposed to be one of the worst
houses In the slums.
The Interest of the play is In 'the
central figure, a woman about to be
come a mother, who allies herself with
crime to obtain money to bring the
child Into happier surroundings. Her
friend, fteve. tempts her. and ehe as
sists him In the robbery of a house
where she Is employed. The woman,
ss heV share of the booty, receives a
diamond brooch, which she pawns.
This, it later develops, belongs to a rich
girl who had befriended her. The
whole object of the play is to show
the agony of the woman, the over
whelming force of the maternal In
stinct, and the impulses which go to
make up her nature.
!Mlaa Illlaa-tew at Her Beat.
The general opinion Is that Miss Is
lington has never acted better In her
life. She played Maggie with quite re
markable force and repressed effort,
and was a crouching picture of over
wrought anguish.
Furthermore, never did an actress
sacrifice her good looks more remorse
lessly In the Interest of art, than does
Miss llllngtnn In this play. Her loose
uncorseted figure, her dull heavy face
lighted with brilliant eyes, her uncom
promising hair and the dull drab of
her costume made a picture that went
far In carrying out the Illusion she established-
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"Kindling is a strong, gripping play,
but I want to warn you that It Is al
most certain to make you cry. There
Isn't a bit of humor tn It. Everything
Is drab, but good punchy drab. If such
a mtxup of descrlDtives can be allowed.
Kthel Barrymore Is at the Kmplre
Theater In "The Witness for the De
fense," a play by A. E. W. Mason, which
has been running for some time In
London. Miss Barrymore has been on
the road with this drama for the last
three months, but has Just reached
New York.
"The Witness for the Defense" la one
of those English successes we read
about. Over here the trouble Is that
the character of the heroine Is unsym
pathetic, also uninteresting. Stella has
a husband, stationed In India, who
beats her. An English lawyer dines
with them one ntght and see how she
Is treated- After he leaves, hubby goes
for his cane again, and wlfey obtains a
s;un. .Then the coroner is notified.
Characters Clog Play.
In the next act we meet the young
woman In England. She has been tried
for the murder of her husband but ac
quitted on the testimony of the lawyer.
Stella 1 engaged to a young English
man by thia time, and his family doubta
her Innocence. Seemingly they fear
that If she becomes a wife again, she
mav feel Inclined to sniff out the life
of hubby No. 2, and for soma unex-
.........
plained reason they seem to like him.
There are three acta of the cross
examination of "the witness for the
defense;" the fears of Stella, and the
conning over of the evidence. The
whole story la of a woman with a past,
anxious for a present and a future.
There are a number of frightfully un
interesting English characters, who
clog the action of the play.
Marquis Roger de Monclars, a gay
Periston dog. marries Fernanda, a
country mouse, ' and speedily neglects
her. She dofrs her rural rig for glad
rags, and he falls In love with her.
At the end of the fourth act they are
devoted sweethearts.
This is the story of "The Marion
ettes." in which Alia Nazimova la
starring at the Lyceum Theater. Isn't
much of a atory. - It? But then. It ,1s
adapted from the French.
Naslmova in the flrst act. when she
appeared In a purposely hideous dress,
was. charming. Her school-girl affec
tation, her demure manner and her un
sophisticated gestures, were excellent.
In the next act, however, she donned
purple and One raiment, and. became a
butterfly to please her husband. Then
it was all over but the final curtain.
The Marionettes" is not the style of
pjay in which Naslmova appears to the
best advantage. It Is a llght-walsted
little story, and dragged out too long.
In fact, there Is hardly enough plot
for a vaudeville skit, and less than
half what is needed for a moving-picture
film.
Elsie Ferguson is at the Gaiety The
ater in "The First Lady of the Land."
a comedy by Charles Nirdlingcr. The
scenes are laid in Philadelphia and
Washington during the Administration
of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson,
an exceptionally interesting period of
early American history.
Historic Play Wins.
The story briefly is that of the
rivalry between Aaron Burr and James
Madison JTor the affections of Mistress
Dolly Todd. At the opening of the
play she is keeping a boarding-house
and Burr is one of her lodgers. Up to
this time he is the favored suitor, but
James Madison, having caught sight of
the young Quaker widow, importunes
Burr for an introduction. His request
is granted, and Madison pays ardent
suit to the fair widow. Burr recog
nizes in Polly an able aid in his-ambi-tious
plans to establish an empire jn
Mexico. The unfortunate duel with
Hamilton operates against any chance
of success he might have in his wooing,
and the succeeding acts show Dolly
as the Incentive and guiding hand of
Madison.
Famous historical characters are
represented in this play, which is a
most enjoyable attraction. In the sup
porting coitrpany are Frederick Perry,
Lowell Sherman. Clarence Handyside,
Florence Edney. Margaret Gordon,
Beatrice Noyes and David Todd. I
"Peggy." the new musical comedy
at the Casino, is bright and interest
ing. It was transplanted from London,
where Americans who saw It there said
it was remarkably dull. In its new
dress and with an American company
"Peggy" Is cheerful and gingery.
According to the press data, "the
book is by George Grosssmlth. Jr., anil
Is 'founded on Xanroff and Guerin's
L'Amorcage.' " Despite this, one would
never suspect it, for it is really very
entertaining. Ned Wayburn put on the
dances, and there is a mighty good
comedian In Harry Fisher, who Is much
funnier than any English favorite. The
songs are bright and worth humming.
and one can pass a pleasant night at
the Casino, and never worry one bit
about Xanroff and Guerln, whose names
suggest the makers of. Greek shoe
blacking. Finally, the "original EngliHh pnny
ballet" kicks gaily In "Peggy." The
members of this hard-working organi
zation now have six service stripes on
the sleeves of their gowns. Someone
has figured that If all the dance steps
they have taken in this country could
be-reproduced In a straight lino that
It would be found that .each of the
"ponys" has been around ths world 23
times, with 149 miles over. Certainly
they have covered an awful amount
of ground on he stage, and are si. 11
far from the rheumatic age. If appear
ances signify anything.
English audiences would not know
"Peggy" In her new creation. Perhaps
that is why American players are con
vinced that she Is a young woman well
worth seeing.
"Haensel and Grete!" Are
Popular in Gotham
Mabel Rlegelman, aa GreteL Wins
Marked Succese at Metropolitan
Opera-House Production of
Mona " la Eagerly Awaited by
Music - Lovers.
BY EM1I.TE FRANCES BAUR.
NEW YORK. Dec. 16. "Haensel and
Gretel" was brought forward this
week at the Metropolitan. This is
usually the Christmas offering at this
house and it is the boon to the young
people, many of whom have this opera
Included in their Christmas gifts. Bella
Alten still Is the delicious Gretel, and
Marie Mattfeld her charming male
companion. From the first production
of this delightful Humperdlnck opera
Miss Alten has held alone the laurels
for this role, but it looks now as
though she would have to share them
with the -Gretel of the Chicago com
nanv. Mr. Dippel conceived the Idea of
translating this work, pernaps, witn
the ultimate Idea of putting a com
Danv on the road. The role of Gretel
came to Mabel Rlegelman. the young
San Francisco girl whose strides in the
operatic world have been notewortny.
An eye witness said. "Mabel Rlegelman
Is the best Gretel remembered in Chi
cago. It .was an artistically finished
portrayal given with that art which
conceals art ana leaves tne impression
of absolute spontaneity. Miss Rlegel
man was Gretel and she ha -materially
Improved her chances by a wonderful
ly vivid life-like presentation of the
little heroine of the Humperdlnck
opera.
Audience Shovrn Choice.
"Her voice Is of extensive rang-e and
flexibility and she Is thoroughly artis
tic in every phase of her work. That
Miss Rlegelman made an Individual
success was shown by the spontaneous
applause which continued after every
one but Gretel had taken the curtain
call and when she finally appeared,
there was no mistaking for whom had
been the splendid enthusiasm."
Much Interest Is evidenced In the
appearance of the piano score and li
bretto of "Mona," the opera'by Horatio
W. Parker with book by Brian Hooker,
which took th'e tlO.000 prize in the
Metroplitan contest and which Is sched
uled for presentation there some time
In February, after the return of Mme.
Homer to the stage, which she has de
serted for a short time.
The opera, while of Importance In
Itself, Is signally so at this moment
when there la ao much fermentation on
the subject of English opera, opera In
English and the American composer.
There Is a faction clamoring for
grand opera translated Int6 English,
another for opera originally written In
English and Btlll another for opera by
American composers and, after all, the
great and significant question ts the
last one. "Mona" has a point of de
parture, an admirable book; a book In
Itself a literary gem and this will go
far toward making a musical success
possible. .Both Mr. Parker and Mr.
Hooker are Tale men and It Is under
stood that Tale men from all over the
country are waiting the opportunity to
help along another Yale triumph.
Critics Are Factor.
The musical critics, however, are not
Tale men and the greatest success will
be won after these have passed satis
factorily upon the American opera.
Putnam Griswold committed the not
Infrequent error of talking freely to
the Interviewer who represented him
as saying some things open to ques
tion concerning "Poia." the opera by
Arthur Nevln, produced two years ago
in Berlin. '
The most serious claim that Mr.
Griswold makes against It Is that it
was produced on the Berlin stage to
flatter the Americans by the desire of
the Kaiser. Mr. Griswold did this to
prove an unkindly -eellng In an art
sense against what Americans have to
offer, but It nas Drougni aowu ujiuu uu
hend no end of comment. Mr. Nevln is
announced as one of the composers to
be represented this seson in an opera
called "Twilight," but it is claimed that !
the book cannot fail to stand against
the possibility of Its success.
- Xew Organ Installed.
Klaw & Erlanger have Just Installed
in the New Amsterdam Theater an im
mense new pipe organ for the forth
coming production of -Ben Hur," which
they will revive with every possible
novel stage effect.
- The return of Sousa at the Hippo
drome on Sunday night was the cause
of much delight to a very large audi- j
ence, as there is no greater favorite
WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS
. ENLISTS MANY OF SEX
History of Well-Known Organization, of Which Oregon Woman Was
Elected National Head, Is Reviewed.
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BT JENNIE C. PRITCHARD.
HEN and where did The Woman's
Relief Corps originate? Perhaps
with Mother Eve, but If there
are doubts as to her membership, im
mediate following her are found mem
bers of the Relief Corps.
From the time of the crusades to the
present women haye sent men to battle
cheered and encouraged to do their
bravest and best,- mingling with the
love of their country thoughts of some
mother or sweetheart who in each city
or hamlet was planning to do what she
could for the ones who were giving?
their lives for the cause of right.
During the years of 1S61-85, while the
men were In the field at the call of the
President, the women also went forth
to organize Christian commissions, san
itary commissions and numerous other
relief societies. When at last the war
was over the women still found much to
do In caring for those whom the four
years had left In a crippled condition,
many of them without homes or em
ployment. Added to these were the
widows and children, hundreds ofthem
In a helpless state.
But It was not until July 25, 1883,
that pursuant to a call from Paul Van
Der Voort, then commander-in-chief of
the Grand Army of the Republic, rep
resentatives from all the various ladies'
auxiliaries met in Denver to perfect a
National organization which should em
brace within Its membership all women
who were willing to unite In a frater
nity whose object should be to assist
the Grand Army in alleviating the suf
fering and distress of any needy sol
dier or sailor of the War of the Re
bellion and those dependent on them.
Departments Are Named.
Following this, departments were
formed In the different Btates, Massa
chusetts being the first, with Connecti
cut and New Jersey her ready seconds,
Oregon coming in In 18S5 with five lo
cal corps.
The first department president of
Oregon was Mrs. Ida M. Babcock, of
Salem, who, together with her husband,
were Instrumental In starting the Wo
man's Relief Corps of this state, which
has grown until now we have 40 thriv
ing corps with a membership of about
iOOO.
For more than 28 years the National
Woman's Relief Corps hal existed, en
larging Its scope as the yf ars fly by. It
now haB various interests all tending to
the aid of the Civil War veteran and
the teaching of patriotism to the pres
ent and coming generations. Among Its
members are many of the brightest wo
men In the land. Last September at
Rochester, N. Y., where the annual Na
tional convention was held, Oregon's
candidate, Mrs. Cora M. Davis, of Union,
than Sousa, whose friends are num
bered as largely in the musical set as
among the- people known as laymen. It
Is a fact that the brass band that is of
real interest to a wide circle is fast
disappearing and leaving the field to
such an organization as that of Sousa
and one or two other bands of this
country. N The orchestral day is upon
us and there are orchestras of all kinds
and descriptions striving for recogni
tion. One of the interesting events, of the
coming week is the appearance of the
Theodore Thomas orchestra, of Chica
go, with Its conductor. Frederick
Stock,, who has never been in New
York. The orchestra has not played
here since Theodore Thomas brought it
here 13 years ago. The soloist with the
orchestra will be Albert Spalding, who
will play for the flrst time in this
country the Elgar concerto for violin,
which Fritz Kreisler played for the
flrst time on any stage last season in
London.
The event Is regarded as one of the
gala performances of this season.
Eames-Gogorxa to Sing.
Society Is rather astonished at the
announcement that Mme. Eames and
Gogorza will give a Joint concert In
the Hippodrome on New Year's Eve.
This house -is not exactly ideal for
concerts of the sort given by these
artists and it seems that it is unneces
sary to say that when a financial mat
ter is at stake that the word art is ef
faced from the remembrance of every
one connected with it. It has also been
Or., was elected to fill the highest of
fice. She is a woman of noble qualities,
well-educated and one whom when the
convention nominated and elected her
recognized that the Department of Ore
gon possessed In her one that would
perform her duties In such a manner
that inot merely Oregon but the whole
organization would be proud of her.
She chose as her secretary Mrs. Jen
nie Hlgglns, of Eugene, whose well
known clerical abilities fitted her ta
fill the office acceptably, and who will
be an efficient aid to the president. In
the National are now 38 departments,
together with corps in 11 of the South
ern states, with nearly 140,000 mem
bers. Money to the amount of $127,874
was expended for relief last year.
Monuments Are Erected.
Fifteen years ago the Department t
Georgia, Grand Army of the Republic,
turned over to the Woman's Relief
Corps the grounds of Andersonvllle
Prison, Pennsylvania, consisting of SS
acres, lying next to the Andersonvllle
National Cemetery. These have been
cleared and beautified and preserved in.
memory of the thousands who suffered
there. A house has been erected by the
Woman's Relief Corps and kept up bar;
them
Several states have placed monu
ments to Immortalize their dead heroes.
Ohio has a shaft which stands as a
memorial for her 1005 dead, 50 feet la
height. Massachusetts and Rhode Isl
and, Michigan and Wisconsin have)
erected memorials to those who died In
this worst of Southern prisons.
In the cemetery adjoining are 14,000
small headstones, six inches by six
across the top and six inches above the
ground; these mark the unknown dead,
men who died in the stockade and were
buried with only a number , on their
stone. It is to these that members ot
every corps hang a wreath on each
Memorial day.
In one part of the grounds is Provi
dence Springs. The story goes that at
one time a large number of the boys in
olue confined in this part of the prison
stockade were dying of thirst and.
prayed to heaven for water, when a
sheet of lightning struck the earth and.
pure cold . water- burst through the
hard-baked clay. Now there is an im
mense flow from this spring. Hence the
name Providence Springs.
Over these acres now floats the flag
of the Republic, wafting to sweeter
sleep those who died rather than see it
desecrated. These grounds were pre
sented and accepted by the United
States Government in May, 1911. A tab
let has been placed here that posterity
may know that the women of this order
procured this land and. after caring fop
it and vastly Improving It, gave it tO)
the United States. ' '
forgotten that song recitals are of an
Intimate nature, quite as much so as
chamber music indeed and even Car
negie Hall Is regarded too large by;
many. ..
One of the most successful song reci
tals held there in some time was that
of Mme. Alda. who is in private life
Mme. Gatti-Cazazza, last week.. More
than 40 floral pieces were handed over
the footlights and the audience con
tained nearly every notable In musical
life of New York.
A Little Girl's Alibi.
Llppincott's.
Much to the curious little girl's dis
gust, her elder sister and her girt
friends had quickly closed the door of
the back parlor, before she could wedgo
her small self in among them.
She waited uneasily for a little
while, then she knocked. No response.
She knocked again. Still no attention.
Her curiosity could be controlled no
longer. "Dodo!" she called in staccato
tones, as she knocked once again.
"T ain't me! It's mamma!"