National Republican., 1881-03-19
AMusEMENTS.
" The Tourists" and the "Pheni1 -
Clarke, and Rfce's Surprise Party.

| Clarke, and Rfce's Surprise Party.
"The Tourists " have been highly sue
cessful in their engagement this week, the audi
ences at the National Theatre having testified in
the most emphatic manner their great qualification
and amusement. The company is one of extraor-
| binary excellence, and 1t would be difficult to
bring together an equal number of ladies and gen.
tlemen who would make the same amount of fun
The last performances take place to-day. The
matinee will, of course, be crowded. and the box
sheet indicates full house tonight.
| FORD's oPERA-HoUsE.
| Milton Mobiles new play, a Man of the People"
| has in it strong elements of success, and, with
some judicious pruning, will become quite popu-
lar. Mr.. Mobiles himself has an excellent oppOrtu-
nifty TO display his abilities and it also brings Miss
Dolly Woolwine into greater prominence. She
showed herself possessed of greater talent than
she was credited with, and was rewarded with a
call before the curtain which she richly merited.
"A Man of the People" will be given at the matt
nee, and to- night THE Phoenix will be presented
at the final performance of this company.
J. S. CLARKE.
This talanted comedian will commence an en-
gagement at Ford's Opera House on Monday
| night. He comes fresh from his London success,
| and so far he has been greeted with oyerfowing
houses wherever he has appeared in this country.
His opening plays are 1.-The Heir r-at-Law" and
Toodles, and ofthese plays the Pittsburg Gazette
says as follows: Mr Clarke's DR.. PoglOSs is known
wherever that gentleman has been seen, and dear
| to the memory of all theatre goers who enjoy
harmless dramatic humor. The portraiture of the
dapper venal and shallow little pedant is full of
rich and happy humor. The pompous pride which
ne takes In his titles of Ii. ID. and 4. s. 81 his
weak attempts at carrying out the virtues which
belong to his character, and his ready surrender
to the temptations Of money and the commands
of his rich pupil, are sketched with free hand
and thoroughly appreciated. The more up
roarious humOr of "Toodles" sent the audi
ence away with aching sides Mr. Clarke's
rather riotous exuberance of fun in that standard
of broad, low comedy acting was the chief attrac-
ton. His T0od!es is irresistible, no matter how
familiar the hearer may be with it."
RICEs SURPRISE PARTY.
Mr.. Edward E. Rice, whose Surprise Party
begins an engagement at the National next Mon
day. though young man of thirty-two, is one of
the most prominent of theatrical operators. Be-
sides the strong organization above referred to, he
owns the favorite " "Evsngeline" Combination, the
Fun on the Bristol" Company lin conjunction
with Mr.. Jarrett, and has half interest in the
great New York success, "Billee Taylor" which
has created the greatest furore ever achieved by
comic opera in this country, not even excepting
H. NJ s. Pinafore.' A notable thing about Mr.
Rice is the number Of new famous " stars" that
have been enlisted under his banner during the
past six years before they had attained stellar
honors. The list includes William H. Crane,
George s. Knight Sol Smith Russell, Nat Goodwin,
William A. Mestayer, Willie Edouin, Alice Ather-
ton, Louis Harrison, poor Harry Hunter (who was
to have starred next season., Sophie Worrell (irs.
knight, Eliza Weathersby, Lizzie Webster, Venie
Clancy Doth well married and retiredl and dozens
of others. Mr.. Rice employs over 800 people In
his various enterprises, and pays most liberal
salaries. Washington will soon have an opportu-
nifty of hearing his latest venture, Bllee Taylor"
which will shortly be produced at the National
with all the completeness of its New York pre-
sentation.
THEATRE coMQUE
No matter what may be the attractions else
where, the Theatre Comique is always well patron
lied. This is but natural, on account of the en-
ergy and enterprise of the management In bring
ing forward all the latest attractions III the variety
line. The play of a. The Skeleton Hand" in which
Mr. George C. Charles shows himself a superior
actor, has proved winning card, while the act of
Frank McNish is decidedly clever. Among the
other specialists Miss George Melnotte has be-
come general favorite, her serio-comic songs
being rendered with excellent taste and effect.
Carncross' Minstrels Will pay their annual visit
to Washington on the oSth instant, appearing at
the National Theatre