National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-05
ADJUSTMENTS,
THE NATIoNAL-"FACTs."

Ihb NAlloNAI- fatIb.
Age cannot withcr nor custom stale tho
infinite variety of Mr.. w. ]. Florence's
humor. A born comedian he adds the artists
methods to tho actors skill, and maintains
equal rank with the leading comedians of
the world. He is just as fresh, as sparkling,
and as breezy now as twenty years ago, and
his power to keep an audience in u roar is
Just as great. Mrs. Florence preserves the
voice, the grace, and the freshness of youth
and acts to-day with the same charming
naivete which made her such q favorite
when she first exhibited her powers on tho
stage. One of Mrs. Florence's peculiar at
fractions Is the art with which she conceals
art the simplicity of hor acting, which is the
result of high artistic ability. In "Facts; or,
His Little Ratchet" the play presented at
the National last night, there is abundant
opportunity to exhibit the splendid acting of
Mr.. and Mrs. Florence. 1t is comedy in
four acts, specially designed to afford situa-
tions for the exhibition Of the leading per-
formers happy characteristics While it is
very light and simple, it is very effective, and
it is needless to say that tho stars make tho
most of every point. The house was good
one, and was never better entertained than
last night.
The central figures of "Facts" are Pinto
Perkins, generally known as the governor"
who is characterized by prodigious memory
and still more prodigious faculty of lying,
and Miss Matilda Starr, an English authoress
on her travels getting material for book on
America. These characters are respectively
taken by Mr.. and Mrs. Florence, and the
play is really only a series of mirth-pro-
voking passages between the two.
The support is good. Miss Ethel Grey
brooke as Emma Kingsley is pretty and
graceful enough to charm an audience even
without the added attractions of a quiet and
finished presentation of her role, which
earned for her the appreciation of the au'
dience. Miss Eflie Vaughn as Stella Perkins,
the governors daughter, rendered her part
with taste and Judgment. Mr.. Earle Stirling
as Hon. Beverly Outram was just dude enough
to BIO agreeable. The rest of the support was
equally good, "Facts" will run to. Knight and
Wednesday night.
FoRD's-"FATINITzAr
At Ford's last night Won suppes military
opera of "Fatinitza" was rendered by the
Boston Ideal company in that thoroughly
artistic and conscientious style that charac-
terizes all that is undertaken by this orgaui-
cation. The forbidding weather had only tho
effect TO produce much discomfort for tho
largo audience that were present, but pro-
duced none whatever on tho attendance, as
the house was one to delight managers
eye.
The opera itself is a decided favorite with
the Washington public, and in its production
last evening there was evidenced the best
possible attention to ensemble and cast.
Miss Mathilde. Phillips recalls most forci-
bly, her gifted sister Adelaide both
in person and voice. As Lieut.,
Vladimer and Fatinitza her masculine
bearing was most oleverly maintained under
every situation Of the plot and in the solo OF
the first act her pure contralto voice lent an
added charm to what may BIO regarded as one
Of tho best efforts Of the composer. In this
act Miss Marie Stone gave the song Of the
sleigh bells with most charming brilliancy.
1t is to be regretted that nowhere through
out the opera is there afforded scope for the
magnificent voice Of Mr.. Myron w. Whitney
AS Count Kantchukoff he received the un
stinted approval Of the audience, and rem