National Republican., 1873-01-28
DRAMATIC FEUILLEToN,
TIL, National Tbrntrr


That embodiment Of everything that Il mis-
Chlevous, Mrs. J. A. Oates, made her INST ap-
pearance this season at the National theatre last
evening TO q crowded house. Every seat was
taken, and every occupant thereof seemed 10 en-
Joy as much fun as could well be crowded into
the space OF three hours. Mrs. Oates ls prob
ably the nncst buresque actress on the Amer
lean stage. She possesses a wonderful amount
Of vivacity, and skips about the stage like a
cricket. One moment she Is here, another there
and another somewhere else. As Paddy said Of
the iea, one never knows where she will hop to
next. Another OF her attractions Is her natural
ness. Everything she does seems to spring from
natural impulse. Not a movement Is forced.
Her laugh, her smile, her step, her attitude Is
Just such a. one would use In the positions she
assumes. When on the stage she attracts the
attention OF the audience by her bright, laugh
ing face, her rOguish eye and the irresistible air
OF mischief Of which she Is the perfect embodl-
mcnL Her voice is one Of her greatest attrac-
tiOns.
II il full, round, clear and sympathetic, and
has a wonderful range. It Is perfectly trained,
and under the most complete control. She uses
II with rare judgment and effect, the arias she
sang last evening being noticeable for the clear
ness and sweetness of the manner In which they
were rendered. In word, the little lady created
Juroro, and the applause she called forth has
not been evoked by any other artist who has Up
peared at the National this season.
The company that supported Mrs. Oates last
evening was one of the nnest burlesque trOupes
that has ever appeared In Washington. Mr. W.
III. Crane Is WONDERFULLY tOultNl. lie seems 10
draw Inspiration from the SpTighty presence Of
the little lady who leads the performance, for his
face, his style, his movements, even his walk, Is
full OF fun, and Il was to him that the audience
were indebted Tor great deal OF the amusement
OF the evening.
Mr.. John Howson also deserved much praise
for the happy manner In which he assumed the
burlesque role OF the Princess Of Uncertain
Age. lie has a nne fAlsetto voice and a splendid
appreciation Of burlesque acting, and the manner
IN which he "tOok or the anectations Of certain
members Of society were exceedingly rich. Mr..
Drew possesses a nns voice and il a careful
actor; but his getting angry at u good natured
Joke peTpetrated upon him by Mrs. Oates was In
bad taste. The other members o. the company
performed the parts assigned to them In q credit.
able manner. The make up of the members Oi
the company was In good taste, while that Of Mr
shannon as Strongback was amusing In the
extreme, and brought down the house with ap
pause. In word, the whole performance wa'
one Of the most enjoyable we have witnessed this
winter, and we assure our readers that II they
fail to witness performance OF the tTOnDe they
will miss an evening OF unalloyed pleasure.
"Les Bavards" will be given this evening with
the full strength Of the company.
The Theatre Comiaue.
The opening night for the new week and the
new variety stars at the Comique was entirely
successful. This favorite resort was never In q
more nourishing condition, and never higher In
the estimation OF its patrons. II IA fault, how.
ever, OF the COmique-and, for that matter, Of al
theatres-to extrayagantly advertise new per-
formers as champions as the "mOst beauti.
ful,h the most daring" &c, Sc, when, In order
to win genuine applause from a Washington
public they must first prove the possession Of
real gifts; and when artists have won from
Washington plcasure-seekers the need Of true
praise, they are on the high road to fortune.
This Is especially true In the case OF Lulu
Delmay. Miss Delmay's engagements on the
variety stage. though, are numbered. lleI
presence In comic opera Is demanded at regular
theatres. Miss Salle swift is u remarkable per.
former with Indian clubs. She goes through the
manual with absolute precision, and In Its more
dlnicult parts wins applause for her exceeding
grace. Pete Lees tambOrlne solo was a fne and
highly appreciated performance. His name will
Miss Napier seemed as fresh Us ever, and their
elegant tTapeze work was much commended
The Foy Sisters are gaining ground, but they art
capable Of still better things. The ballet was
good, as It always Is at the COmique, and the
whole performance entirely satisfactory.
Tom Thumb.
Tom Thumb and wife, Commodore Mutt and
Miss Minnie Warren, after a three years tour
around the world, will appear at Lincoln hall on
Wednesday next and give two exhibitions each
day for the balance Of the week. These wonder.
fui specimens Of human nature, so small In
stature and yet so perfect In FORM fully possessed
Of all the faculties that humanity Is heir TO- have
created great excitement wherever they have
appeared. During their absence from Americas
heads OF Europe, and not only won iattering en-.
cOmlums, but return 10 this country bearing with
them substantial rememhrances OF their pleasant
voyage abroad. IL has been several years since
they were In this city, and, wlthOu. doubt, theiI
reappearance will he hailed with great delight.