The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-11-15
ADJUSTMENTS.

failure TO draw, which apparently has no relation
whatever 10 the merit OF the attractions offered.
Some say II Is due to the change Of administration;
thatthe Federal employees are doubtful Of their
future, and are saving up for the "rainy day which
they apprehend, Notwithstanding the civil service re-
form policy OF the Administration. Others say II Ia
owing to the dime museums, which have drawn on
much OF that part Of the audiences that used 10 MI
the dress circle and gallery Others stu say that
| the cheap prices OF the summer opera season ana
the large attendance which 1t drew all summer have
dissatisfied many staunch amusement-goers with
regular prices and, besides, this class having been
pretty constantly In the theatre for several months
past are now taking rest and saving up their funds
until the appearance OF Salvlni or the opera brings
them ont again. Perhaps oil these causes have com.
bined TO give our three theatres bad autumn busi-
| ness.
The most unaccountable phenomenon In local
thcatricals Is that the very best performances In
their various lines have done nearly II not the very
| worst business. "a Moral Crime at Fords, for
example. Though the motive OF this play was repul-
sve, yet II was not more than many other dramas
which have proved very profitable. Audit furnished
on opportunity which was fully improved for some
OF the most powerful emotional acting that has ever
been seen In America Miss Marie Prescott Is a
splendid artist, and her acting In this piece was some
| thing that has rarely been surpassed, being both
powerful and refined In the expression OF love, of
| anu "kuhy, uti achievement III tnS phy must
place her In the very front rank among actresses.
Besides this, the play was well set and cast. Yet the
public would not come TO the theatre TO see Then
In the way OF farce comedies two OF the best and
freshest which have been seen here for years were
| given week each at Fords TO thin houses These
| were Hcyt's "Tin Soldier his latest and best
thoroughly amusing and well acted, and ,vacation !,
by the DAYS. In which both the people aud the bus,
ness were fresh, novel; and extremely amusing, A
| was the uniform verdict of the scattered auditors
| who came In, was "a rafting good show bu,
| the patronage was wretched.
But perhaps the worst luck OF all, considering the
| extremely high quality Of the entertainment fell
| upon Miss Rosina vokes aud her company This
| charming coincidence Is still the same sauciy at
tractive beauty as ever, and is wltha much better
actress than when she was last in America As a
star she is host in herself. but. besides this her
| repertory was most attractive and her supporting
company one OF exceptional strength. on the nrst
nights the opening piece, In Honor Bound" was A
love episode of uncommon power, admirably repre-
| scented by Miss Lizzie Chester, a very handsome
woman; Miss Miller, Mr.. Courtney Thorpe, and Mr.
Brandon Thomas, who showed himself a comedian
OF rare power and versatility. This was fol.
lowed by the pretty comedy, "My Miners
Bill which was superby acted and full TO
| the brim OF most delicious fun, affording
Miss Vokes an opportunity to exhibit her pleas
ant singing and graceful dancing In Ellis heart
was true to Poll" The concluding piece, IA Tinted
Venus" while extremely amusing, was not 30 well
chosen, as the thread upon which the fun Is strung
Is not suited to the purpose. Nevertheless the
cuisines" was thoroughly artistic, and Miss vokes
acted her odd part as enchantlngly as possible The
change of bill Thursday introduced the company,
In Godfreys pleasant comedy, "The Paryenue,.
which gave another opportunity to test Its strength,
besides ahording Miss Vokes attractive part which
she acts uncommony well. The week closed last night
with Man, the Good for Nothing In which this
delightful Coincidence won fresh and well-deserved
| laurels Those who saw every play which was given
| at Fords during the week enjoyed representations
which Tor symmetry aud completeness are too rarely
seem Every person In the several casts was an ad-
mirable artist, doing all that the part demanded,
| never overacting and never inadequate. Mr.. Bran
don Thomas as Jack Merride,c, Bin Bi'add,e, and
| Hon. Charles TRACY revealed himself as an admit
rab!e comedian Of versatile powers and most artistic
| method. MI. Courtney Thorpe's Sir George Car
lyon, AdoiDhuS lfasherton, and Claude Gimme are
| also presentations Of uncommon merit. Miss Lizzie
| Chester as G,rendolen In "The Parvenuen added
| to the pleasing Impression she had previously made
Miss CarlinRford's Lady Fenfgre,c and Mrs Column
were admirable, and, indeed, every person in the
company deserves special mention for the thorough.
| ness and capacity with which all the parts were
| dlled Such company OF competent and perfectly
trained artists, with attractive repertory has not
been seen here for years. Their patronage included
the very best people of the capital and 1t was the
unanimous hope that they might revIsi. us again
| later in the season.
"Ths Devils Auction which occupied the stage
at Albaughs last week, was rather above any of our
recent spectacular productions. A variety of pym
nasts and specialists envened the different acts,
and the ballet was large and comedy. But the ring
master, who appeared In tight trousers, white waist
coat dress-coat, and top-boots, struck the average
spectator as peculiarly homogeneous and disagree
able parsonage. Whether the whip he carried was
or was not really meant, IL they went wrong, to be
laid about the pretty legs of the coryphees In whose
movements this awkward slx-footer took such an
Interest, must be left to the initiated. But such
rlnpmaser moving about amid ballet is about ten
| times as obnoxious as the worst OF male dancers
could be- MIR. Gilmore's spectacle must, however, be
commented as lar better than the average travelling
Show OF Its class, and the action was 80 lively AMI
the scenic effects 80 good that 1t was well worth
seeing by those who for that sort OF entertain
| ment.
| 1.-THE Rag Baby as presented at the New Ma
tional last week distinctly inferior to the article
OF that name which amused US so much last winter
| The unctuousy humorous flavor which Mr.. Daniels
impaired to the character of Ola Sport was for the
most part absent from the painstaking Imitation of
| That personation given US by Mr.. Craven. Mr.
Riddle got along well with part that we fancy
does not suit his capabilities any too WELL and the
rest OF the company were passabe.
HanOn Brothers' d" Fantasma," with its wealth of
stage splendor gorgeous transformation scenes, and
wonderful mechanical effects, will be the attraction
| at Albaughs Opera House the coming week. Fan
tasma Is said to be entirely different from anything
ever produced on any stage, being the first novelty
| seen on the stage In many years. The company
carry all their own scenery In two special cars.
| Among mn INN rta
mentioned 1.-THE Tableau Of Destruction In which
occurs realistic cyclone, houses being unroofed,
DEVILS Dormltory," this scene being SO arranged
as to permit Of the most wonderful stage mechan-
ose at r Ana P as ws
d9 ss sha az ro tae%seves up and down "he
"The witches Revels" are ali wonders Of stage aae
mechanism, while the "Fantasma Realm In Fairy
land -" 10 said to be the most gorgeous transforma-
being at an outlay Of five thousand dollars. Incl
d GENT 70 ne play are also introduced tabeaux
| SEINE ladies and five children; also tableaux from
me , Arctic reGions showing The suerngs and trials
with grand alegorIca fnss sSo1inS tbeIr resere
| by the Goddess OF Liberty. Miss Kate Davis, the
iaay WAC made such phenomenal success last
season, Is still with the company, and In addition to
herlas she has several
i new ones Little Aimee, i've years Of age, who
made Of that "prlnSe Of PIerroIs," Mr. Alex. Fan.
| "
| ment OF over one hundred people, three OF the
world-famous Hanion Brothers themselves appear
ing IN the cast. Matlnees will be given on Wednes-
day and Saturday.
The Laurel Ministries, many OF whom are Wash
ingtonans. will give performance at the Academy
OF Music In Laurel, Md, next Friday evening. A
very elaborate programme has been prepared. II is
gem OF Laurel printing skill. Itlsannounced
that each performer has been provided at great ex-
pense with suit Of bullet-proof armor. Special
trains will run both from Washington and Baltimore
| every i've minutes Edwin Booth, who Is playing
an engagement this week In the latter city, will have
10 look 10 hs laurels, or rather Senator Germans
| Laurel, or he Will md that this opposition will
greatly hurt his business. The Laurel Opera House
stage has been enlarged one inch to accommodate
me great galaxy OF genius. Professor ID. b. Mac
| Leod IL the extravaganza energetic, and enterprs-
Ing, yet modest manager OF this mammoth Hme-
| nagere." The Bladensburg Bugle sings the praises
OF lhls company very highly. 1t appeared In that
historical burg before large and enthusiastic oiI-
| diences" for one consecutive night. This enter
| iainment Ia for the benefit OF the Laurel Operalc
Association. An expert drill squad from the Ma.
tional Rifles will also be present. on this occasion.
Al the Rev National Theatre this week we are to
| have the sensational drama, "The Shadows OF