The New York Clipper (November 1916)

10 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER November 1, 1916 DRM ABORN OPERA FOR PARK THEATRE POPULAR PRICES TO PREVAIL Milton and Sargent Aborn. managing directors of the Aborn Grand Opera Co., have all arrangements completed for a season in New York City at a popular scale of prices. Beginning Nov. 20, the aggregation of artists will be beard at the Park Theatre, and it is believed the en- gagement will extend into April. After talking with managers of various' New Tork theatres, the Park was decided upon, partly because of the popularity which the opera company built up in this vicinity during the two seasons of the Cen- tury Opera Company. A rather novel plan has been hit upon for the arrangement of the repertoire to be given, inasmuch as each opera will be sung as many times as its popularity re- quires.' "The Jewels of the Madonna," "Aids," "The Tales of Hoffman," "Lohen- grin," "II Trovatore," "Samson and De- lilah," "Carmen," "Thais" and other well- known scores will be sung for a full week. Other weeks will be divided between two operas, with four performances each. "Han- sel and Ureter will be heard at holiday and extra matinees. A steep cut has been made in the prices as compared to those formerly charged at the Century, and the scale of admission will justify its claim of "popular" twenty- five cents to one dollar being the range. The Aborn management claims that this difference in price is made up for by the increased attendance. Sargent Aborn niied the situation up as follows. "Opera Is either one thing or the other, exclusive at five or six dollars a seat on the floor, or popular at one dollar: there ic no call for anything between these. We are catering to the four million class, not the four hundred. Is It possible to give good opera at these prices by eliminating the board of directors. Mr. Hammerstein always said that a board of directors did too much directing. We agree with him thoroughly after our experience at the Century. For the first eighteen weeks at that theatre we were permitted to man- age the organization according to our own ideas. During that time the institution ac- cumulated a surplus of eighteen thousand dollars. After that we were hampered, and the company was run into bankruptcy. The one member of the board who gave his wise and valuable support was the man who did the most to aid the enterprise financially. Now. we are producing opera with our own 'private resources and ex- pect to meet with the socceas la New Tork that we have had in other cities." PLAYS SATIRIZED FOR CENTURY One of the features of "The Century Girl," which will have tts premiere Nov. 2. will be a burlesque each month off one of the Broadway s uc c ess e s. Tarn te> the Bight" is scheduled far the first PAULA SHAY OPERATED UPON Paula Shay, leading woman in Henry W. Savage's production of "Every Woman," cow on tour in the West, -has submitted to an operation on her throat, performed in Toronto. Despite her doctor's orders that she refrain from playing for a week fol- lowing the operation, she insisted on re- joining her company three days later. "THE BASKER" GIVEN AT THE EMPIRE THEATRE "The Basker," which Mr. Maude has se- lected as a starring vehicle, is not likely to find any great degree of public favor because of its lack of directness and appeal. The play is talky and of poor con- struction and the characters do not ring true. George DeLacorfe is a descendant of the Cheviots, and by the lack of an heir to the direct line he becomes the Duke of Cheviot, by virtue of bis being the nearest of two distant heirs. The idea of being ft Duke is distasteful to him and he plans to have his cousin, Richard DeLacorfe, accept the estates, including Cheviot Cas- tle. Richard is deep in an affair with a Mrs. Radford and is penniless, and George agrees that as the Duke must marry that on Richard's wedding day the ducal estates shall pass into Ms hands. Richard chooses Diana Turlbot, who loves and is loved by George, although neither guess the truth. The wedding ap- proaches. George discovers Richard's af- fair with Mrs. Radford. He also discovers that his consin has pawned a diamond ti- ara, George's wedding gift to Diana. And then they are brought to the realization that they love each other, and of course Richard is dismissed and the true lovers are united. The role of George DeLacorfe is differ- ent from anything we have seen Mr. Maude do. He lends the character' much of his own personality, and while he makes him interesting the character is not appealing. Muriel Martin Harvey was delightful in the ingenue role of Diana and Maud Mil- ton was excellent as the Duchess. The others did all possible with the material given them. WHAT THE DAILIES SAY. Times— Ptay larking in novelty. World— ifr. Mamie thoroughly, delightful. Herald—Star better than play. T*rbirm>—rTit chief merit. Sun— Action make* play pleating. . . . American— Uharming comedy. GUESTS IN FUND HOME MADE HAPPY VISITORS ACT HOST TO ACTORS "NOTO TO BE SEEN AGAIN" "Noto" the Japanese comic opera by Mary Lee Wertheimer, over which there has been much litigation since its one night showing in Hartford, Conn., is again to see the light of day. This in according to George Blumenthal, one time manager for tbe sbow. Blumenthal states the piece will soon be presented at the Garden The- atre, for which he possesses a season lease. Three hundred members of the Theatre Assembly journeyed to Staten Island after- noon of Oct. 28 and entertained the guests of the Actors' Fund Home. Founded almost two years ago, tbe Thea- tre Assembly is now composed of more than a thousand members, who, at present, are lending every effort to stimulate inter- eat both among the public and the.theatrical profession, to speedily and substantially contribute to the Actors' Fund of America a million-dollar endowment. Headed by Mrs. J. Christopher Marks, president'of the Assembly, the visitors ar- rived at the Fund Home shortly after noon, at once taking possession of the Home, and for tbe rest of the day acting as host in entertaining the Home's guests. Tea was served and other courtesies rendered. Among tbe visitors were Mrs. Marks, who, besides being president of the assem- bly, is president of the Million Dollar En- dowment Committee; Mrs. Frank Everard Hall, chairman; Mrs'. Andrew Jackson Cobe, associate chairman; Mrs! Minos H. Murray, secretary; Mrs. William Maxwell, treasurer; 'Mrs. Edward H. Wells, chair- man of the donation committee, and Mrs. Charles Enge, president's aide and chair- man of the arrangements committee. ■ During the luncheon tea was served by Mrs. Marian Clifford, tbe oldest actress of the Home, who recently celebrated her S3rd birthday. The afternoon's ceremonies were opened by F. F. Mackay, who in response to a unanimous request, made a most felicitous speech, to which Mrs. Marks responded. Daniel Frohman also spoke. Moving pic- tures of all the guests and visitors at the Home were taken, as well as flashlight ex- posures at the time of their departure. The gathering was the largest at tbe Home at any time since the place was opened. May 8, 1002. Jnst before leaving the visitors told the gnests they would visit the Home again in December. Among the guests now at the Actors' Fund Home are: May Jackson, Laura Rahn, Gabriella M. Campbell, Nannie Cot- ter, Jennie Fisher, Sara A. Brennan, Mary E. Marble, Alice Adams, May Preston, Vir- ginia Buchanan, Elizabeth Morgan, May Silvie, Jenny Parker, Marion P. Clifton, Messrs. R. Fulton Russell, Wilfred G. Reynler, J. Alexander Brown, Fiddes Page. E. A. Locke, Fred Runnels, William J. Gil- bert, .Frank Kendrick, F. A. Dubois, Fred- erick P.. Arundel, Leon J. .Vincent, John Hynes, Charles A. Morris, H. Bees Davies. "OLD LADY 31" WITH EMMA DUNN A PLEASING COMEDY "OLD udt 31."—A comedy In three acts and prologue, by Rachel Crothere. Founded on Lonlse Forealond'e novel of the ant name, produced Monday, October SO, at the 38th St. Theatre. OAST. Angle • Komi Dunn Abe Beglnald Barlow Nancy Vlvla Ogden ilm. Homan* Mrs. Felix Morrla Sarah Jane Uaod Sinclair Abigail .Anna Bates Bloaay Hay Galyer Mary Marie Carroll John smart Sage Samuel Darby Inula Fierce Mike Edward O'Connor Elisabeth Elisabeth Leroy Minerva Lottie Church Granny Mary Davis Hcpney Mary Coleman Harlette Maud Terrell Lisa Margaret Gallagher The play, which is founded on Louise Forsalund's novel of tbe same name tells of Captain Abe Rose and his wife Angle, who in their old age have lost their home and are forced to seek places in charitable institutions. With the little money the captain has left from the sale of their household effects be purchases a place in tbe Old Ladies Home for his wife, while he prepares to spend the remainder of bis days in the poorhouse. His touching farewell scene with Angie at tbe gate of the home, so affects the in- mates that they decide to take him in as well, and he becomes "Old Lady 31." Sur- rounded by the thirty women, many of vlmm have not put sentiment behind them with their years, be soon becomes tbe hero of the establishment. Unfortunately he shows some interest in Blossy, one of the younger women, and as a result an in- dignation meeting is held and it is,decided that he be ordered from the home. Angie, fearing separation, hastily ar- ranges a wedding between Blossy and Cap- tain Darby, an old sweetheart, and every- thing ends happily." As Angie, the wife of the aged ex-sea captain. Miss Dunn was delightful, she in- vested the role of the faithful and loving helpmate, with real charm,, and richly de- served her emphatic success.. Reginald Barlow, made of Abe. a most realistic flgnre, John the young carpenter, played by Stuart Sage was well acted, while Marie Carroll, made of Mary. his. sweetheart, a charming miss. / WILDE PLAY NOVEMBER 27 Oscar Wilde's story, "The Birthday of the. Infants " will bfi presented at the . "** t' ' i _j/* ■^*T**~ r ' "*■ f**Ti m> i 1| iiiiiim. NVa*»nfw*%i. under the dlrectloh^oVyMaxi- irJllin Elser, Jr.. and Russell Jatwy.^s- rame* for the production have been deX, "irlKnerl by Mrs. John W. Alexander. "\ WHAT THE DAILIES SAT. Times—Humorous little play. World-—A charming comedy. Heralds-Emma Dunn win* tteUar honors. Tribune— .4 sheer delight. Snn— Worth spending an evening on. Amer i c an "A play of real heart interest.