The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-04-25
THE SEASON AT FoRD's.
\ Reminder of What the Management
lIns SGrN cd LIN lA LIS YnlrOna.

glance at the very full list of attractions
presented Ford's opera House in this city during
the season of 1s70iss0 viii be interesting and serve to
illustrate point that n competition between our
two leading places of amusement Is better for the
public than a monopoly OF their control. The open
Ing place early, August 25, 1879, and thencefor
ward there constant succession, with only two
weeks inerssion, of fresh and sparkling novelties.
many of them exactly suited to the musical character
of the house, being In the way of vaudeville, sing
ing comedies, and standard lightorera. 1t viii be re-
membered on the other hand that the previous year
this structure lost 10 theatre gOers considerable
portion of the time, being closed or abandoned to
shows which were scarcely "legimnte. This
started off with commendable gush OF melody,
| s.Tatinitza,' tby n Juvenile troupe, a. Electric
Light, ~ popular Baltimore production, 1.-The
Little Duke, ~ and % Pinafore' being presented by
Mr.. Ford's bright and promising young artists. On
| the e2d Of September came the first black cloud
athwart the horizon. but somewhat larger than
| man $ hand, being Emcrson's NIegatherian Min
sres which the first packed and jammed success
| of the year. Then came grand revival of "P!na-
fore with Miss Eva Mills Josephine Mrs. Caro-
line Richings Bernard as Buttercup, and ne-look-
ing church choir chorus, certainly one of the best
productions given to this little gem In the United
states. Clinton Halls ''Strategists, ~ capital
comedy company then delighted those who could ap-
preciate real fun and were followed, October H. by
Miss Dickie Iingard and her company In ''faJa-
mas, - kind of light parlOr burlesque. The i'll
| starred Tracy Titus company In that ill-starred
American opera bou6, Buttons, then got through
week of tolerabe business here, and was succeeded
by Gus Williams as :. Our German Senator, - one of
the specially pieces OF which this has been so
| prolific. Fcrd's Comic Opera Company then
returned for two weeks of delightful music,
running such varied list rs ''The
| Sorcerer,'' "Litte Duko,'' ''The Mayor
| new version of "The Chimes " and the inevitable
"Pinafore.' At length came the great event OF the
year at this house, the appearance of Miss Adelaide
| Nelson Shakespeares lovelcst heroines Juliet,
Tfola and Rosniind, before three crowded aud FASH
ionnbe audiences that recalled the time gorles of
the place. The last week in November was closed with
| Steele Aiackaye's company in An Iron WILL,
Uow 'IIazel Kirke, > and the second In December
opened the regular Congressional season. MS 1t was
called, with no less artist than Mr. Joseph Jeher-
| son in English comedies and "Trip Van Wrinkle" :"
The Wea.hcrsy Goodwin FroliGues In their eccentric
private thcatrcas then convnised the diaphragms OF
the metropolis and gave place to popular Alice
Oates In round of her musical parts, now including
| sThe Little Duke The next three weeks we
might have consented to miss, filled In as they were
with concoction called "on the Pacific, y said to
have compiled by Mr.. Ford's daughters, and with
which his deserving company was compelled to strng-
gle, Gotthold's '.octoroon' and Richmond and Won
Bowie in ..Our Candidate.' January 10 introduced
the gorgcously spectacular In Kiralfy's 'B'ack
Crook which drew as might have been expected
| January 90 came the stellar combination of Mrs
Bowers and Charlotte Thompson, rare treat III the
dramatic line since ladies join forces In this way even
more reluctantly than men. ''Lady Jane Grey, ~
."rhe Hunclback, - and '' Court and Stage'' were
the we'll selected plays. February cdr. Clyde'
was produced In style which, while 1t had some ex
ce,lences admitted OF criticism In other re-
spects IIaverIys Mastodon NiDstrels next achieved
a success commensurate with their name. Mr.
| UurtIo tha Maeg
from Jarvis Section, - 90 An Arabian Night, ~ and
| ..French FLATS were the well-re'nembered
| features Of the rest Of the month. March
s. Mr.. John Il. Raymond presented his
new play Of "Woliert's Roost, and met
with his usual hearty weIcome-may II never abate.
.EnchantInent'' then duplicated the tnsel spen-
dors and financial luck of Its predecessor In the same
line and two plays by the young American play
wright, BARLEY Cainpbell 'Tie Galley Slave and
'tFnirfax, ~ were next produced by Washington
and New York company respectively Of about even
merits rwo weeks Of the instantly popular % Pirates
Penzanre the latest feature on the programme,
which will begin again. after an enforced hiatus, TO-
morrow evening.
The comments naturally suggested by this recital
are those chiefly OF praise and eongraulaton. Though
there is trash and some padding, there Is much
that proved wholesome entertaining and delightful.
II must he remembered that In these days OF travelling
combinations and warm competition many queer
fish come into the managerial net, which he cannot
always reject In time To avoid disgusting his patrons
temporarily. Altogether, and especially considering tile
| improvement over last winter, MIR. Ford deserves
recognition for his efforts, In which we hope he VIII
perseyere and improve maintain the Opera
| House fully level with Its rivals.