Show Dean Via Van Cou Cott Rig Highly Approves New York Theatre Productions The present dramatic season Is the most distinguished season New NewYork NewYork NewYork York has bas known for a a. generation said William A. A Brady veteran producer producer producer pro pro- ducer and theatrical manager of New York Dean Lucy M. M Van Cott who returned re recently from froni n 11 visit to the tho cast eastern ern states will confirm confirm confirm con con- firm his statement V When hen I was In New Y York rk last fast month she sho said I saw the most artistic and wonderful wonderful won won- productions of or my life America has deservedly been criticized criticized criticized for tor tho deterioration of or both drama and audience Now the theatre Itself Is la crying for reform and for the spiritual Every play I saw was characterized by it 11 Tho The most marvelous thing thinS I saw was tho the Moscow Art Theatre players players players play play- ers In the spectacular historical tragedy Tsar F. F Ivanovitch Ivanovitch Ivano- Ivano written by Count Alexel Alexei Tolstoy The Tho action and setting were truly Russian and the speeches speech speech- es also were given in Russian The Theart Theart Theart art and perfection of ot the tho ho production production production tion may be bo judged when It is known that tho the same samo players have acted together In the tho same play piny for twenty years Despite adverse ad criticism cism I think America appreciates I dramas of this highest type and that it is Js working gradually toward loftier standards Will Sh Shakespeare is an nn invention invention invention in b by Miss Clemenco Dane and Is s exciting much discussion in New York at tho the present time This young oung playwright has chosen to take tako the character of Shakespeare Shako Shako- speare and to build It afresh out of ot tho the emotional experiences set down in those of the tho Sonnets which deal with the tho Dark Lady In the main shoe she has followed historical events except In two possible In Instances instances instances in- in stances where sho she has violated re recorded recorded recorded re- re corded history for the tho sake sako of dramatic dramatic dra dra- matic effectiveness Miss 1 Danes Dane's invention alms to give dramatic reaH realty to the romantic spirit of a a. mysterious life Ure It is interesting to know that Miss Winifred Lenihan Lenihan Leni- Leni han was a a. chum of Orpha Kingsbury Kingsbury Kings Kings- bUr bury daughter of or Dr at a a. school of ot oratory and that they both received the tho same dramatic dramatic dra dra- matic rating Miss KIngsbury fell feU fellin fellin in love lovo and was married Miss Lenihan held to lo her career and is isnow isnow isnow now almost at the top Tho The most artistic thing I saw was waa Nazimova in Dagmar mar I Ican Ican Ican can truly say that this great artist is younger youner and more moro beautiful to today today today to- to day than ever before An Ing thing was that each act was waa given on a small circular stage The setting comprised not so 50 much furniture and decorations as draperies draperies drap drap- eries of watered in the most enchanting colors Light was furnished furnished furnished fur fur- b by one ono spotlight only At Madison Square Gardens I witnessed the annual ball and fashion fete of ot the tho Israel Orphan asylum at which tho the leading establishments es establishments establishments es- es of ot New York presented presented presented pre pre- gorgeous gowns on living I models The Tho event was featured by a classical program and a 1 dance danco tho the Tango ranSo by Rodolph Valentino Valentino Valentino Valen Valen- tino and Miss 1 Winifred The They had como come all aU the tho wl way from Chicago for tho the fete Jane Cowl as Juliet In ht Romeo and Juliet Juliot was beautiful Tho The stage scenery was particularly at at- at Romeo was played by a coming cominS' young actor Rollo Peters This production Is ono upon which tho the critics base bao their opinion of or Americas come back to the tho artis arUs- Uc tic Tho The Fool by Channing Pollock Pollock Pollock Pol Pol- lock Is tho the strongest play being presented in New Now York It deals with tho the material and spiritual ls- ls suga of tho the day is right up to date and Is 18 bold and daring and won won- The Tho lesson It teaches tenche depends de depends de- de upon tho the individual and his hili response to present conditions It deals with tho the wealthy man and owner of huge factories one ono who enjoys life lito from a a. physical and nd I material standpoint the tho laborer a n al miner who leavo his home before light In the morning and returns after dark at night who slaves to provide bare sustenance I for tho the family who has no pleasure pleas pleas- ure uro In life lite whatever the young man who wants to do right whose ambitions and standards are aro high and his struggle with them and temptation and the girl who Is not willing to shoulder her share of ot the responsibility who Is light- light minded yet ot not bad at heart bit t who finally sells herself that she may have luxury and beautiful gowns Probably the most realistic from froma a a. standpoint of or scenery alono alone was Rain by Jean Eagles The setting setting set set- ting tinS was on a South Sea Island Island- Island and and a a. constant downpour of or real rain was reproduced on tho the stage Otherwise this was vas tho least striking striking striking ing of the dramas A play full of or local color and atmosphere at atmosphere atmosphere at- at was Seventh n Heaven aven written by Austin Strong It Is a astory astory astory story of ot tho the sewer rats and wharves of or Paris and the life uro of ot the tho people there It follows two characters through a a. number of situations and shows what practical practical practical optimism can do Ben Ami In Johannes was splendid Tho The play is a a. fantastic fantastic fan tan melodrama and is intensely interesting A unique feature of or orthe the Apollo theatre where it was produced is not only a a. revolving stage but a a. double stage setting That it It Johannes may be shown dreaming in one ono room at atthe atthe atthe the same time t o dream is s enacted enact enact- ed od in another A pIa play that would a a. sensation sensation sensation sen sen- in n Salt Lake Lako Is ono one produced produced pro pro- by David Belasco Bolasco Kiki KIklIs Is a a. daring character study of ot a certain typo of ot modern girl KUd Kiki portrayed by Lenore Ulrice is of ot French parentage only for or in character she sho is universal is her appeal While tho the prod production tion is vulgar in parts it tells a astory astory astory story tho the world needs to hear and think about before it judges Gowns designed by the tho famous Paul Lanvin Lu- Lu cUo and Routon were particularly in interesting |