National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-27
An USEAI EN7O.


! National Thentre-Fanny Davenport.
Miss Fanny Davenport as Mabel RenfreU
In Days play of "Pique" confirmed last night
| the good opinion entertained of her by her
hosts Of admirers. The house was large, sym
pathetic aud enthusiastic. The play of "Pquo"
Is the story Of the hasty and ill-advsed mar
| riago of disappointed belle, domestic rup-
! ture and q reconciliation through the aflec-
tionate chords attuned by the abduction of
| loved child.
1t is unfortunate for Miss Davenport that
| because she is tho handsomest aud most
| striking woman on the American stage there
should DO those who would deny her artistic.
ability, and attribute her success to that magic
power of beauty which is said to draw MS by
! single hair. IL cannot be denied that Miss
| Davenport Is an actress of great power. There
are passages in "Pque" where handsome face
and fine COstuming are not taken into aC-
count and 1t Is in these that she dis.
! plays her genius and the careful training
Of the magnificent school in which she was
reared. As tho frivolous society woman in
| the first act and rs the proud, cold and sensi-
tive wife in the second act, she was statu-
esque and as graceful as Reubens model and
| as quocnly as tho most majestic beauty of tho
! Augustan court. At the end of tho second
act, where the separation takes place, her
portrayal Of the passion, resentment and cruel
hauto,W Of tho uulOving and piqucd woman
was indeed superbly grand. The brief passage
between herself and Captain Sdndish, her bus
| band, was most effective Mr.. Edwin Price
played Captain Siandish capitally. lie was
easy and graceful, and did not overact the
part. Mr.. Il. X. Golfers MdttheW Stdndish was
most earnest aud impressive performance.
| Mr., Harry Hawk, an old Washington favor
ite, as Sammy Dympie, was most amusing and
| received due recognition from tho audience.
The rest of the support was exceedingly strong.
| Tho dressing of the different characters was
handsome and elaborate.
This evening Miss Davenport will appear as
Rosdlind in Shakcspcares comedy of "As You
Like It,"
Ford's Opera House-Lady Jane Grey.
Engands history has furnished no more
| thrilling incident for the poets fancy or the
authors pen than the tragic fate of lovely
| Lady Jane Grey, who fell a victim to Bloody
Mary's hate. Tho principal features of the
well.known story are cleycrly emphasized in
| tho drama which was presented by tho Bow.
crs.Thompson combination at Ford's last oven
ing. The dialogue is crisp and strong and the
| situations strikngly effective, while the indi-
! vidual figures of the drama are natural in
| their thoughts and actions. Mrs. Bowers rs
! Mary Tudor gave rare exhibition OF
dramatic power The craft and cruelty
| of this bold, bad woman werc portrayed
| in such vivid colors rs to Impress the
| spectator almost painfully. Her power of
! assimilation, her unrequited love Tor GuitOrd
! Dudiey which is the moving spring of her UNI
relentng hate of Lady Jane, and finally sounds
| tho death knell of that unhappy girl; her i'm.
perious scorn of John DHdieys intrigues-all
these various passions and emotions Mrs
Bowers presented with great realistic force
Miss Charlotte Thompson was a charming
| Lazy JGa3 Grey. She was equally successful
in the representation Of happy, budding
womanhood, radiant with the sunshine of
| love, in expressing her horror ut MdTyS
proposition to surrender her betrothed lover;
/ in her scornful defiance of Mary's tire ats, in
the assertion of her queenly rights, aud in
the clingng, frightcnd attitude when DEATHS
horrors approach her. There is nothing over
done, nothing left unsatisfed; it is u most
perfect performance. Mr.. McCulum rs John
Dudiey gave fine picture of the naughty,
ambitious, INSCRIPTIONS earl, and fully sus-
tanned his reputation as n careful actor. The
rest of the support do not deserve special
mention. Lady Jane Grey will be repeated
this evening.
The Arlington.
The Arlington Theatre was rcopcned last
night, under the management Of Mr.. George
T. Tucker, who had provided Il tirst-cass
show for his patrons. A large house greeted
the performers, aud judging from the COM
ments, the Arlington is destined to become O
favorite pleasure resort.
Theatre Comique.
The Charles Skeleton Hand" Combination
held forth at the Theatre COuique last night
to full house. Tho variety performance
which preceded the drama is one of the best
of its class which has been presented at the
| Comiquo for u long time, was an exceedingly
fine one, and was well received. Frank White
an old favorito, was the recipient of much
applause. The same bill will be presented at
the matinee this afternoon.