National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-01-06
ANIUsEM



Burr Oaks" opened before a fair audience
at Ford's Opera House last night The play is
Of the emotional order, and is very similar In
It's construction to the silver King. Il hinges
on supposed murder in which tho wrong
man gets the murdorous blow. "Burr oaks"
the quasi murderer, makes his escape, aud af-
ter varied life returns to find his iancied
Grmo n dolusion. The plot Is nicely worked
out and gives occasion to many striking and
thrilling situations. Mr. Walter Bentley,
who assumed the title role, is clever actor,
and made the most OF his part, Miss May
Brooklyn as Margie looked and acted the part
with excellent taste. The support throughout
was reasonably good The setting of the play
Is very handsome, some of the changes being
exceedingly ingenious. The audience was
thoroughly approclntive, as was manifested by
the frequent applause. President Arthur oc-
ouplod private box, and witnessed the entire
play. "Iiurr oaks will DO repeated each
night this week, with Wednesday and satur.
day matinee performances.
NATIONAL THEATgH
Tho inclemont weather had little or no eject
on tho audience at the National Theater.
Billy Florence and his wife proved sufficient
attraction TO comfortably MI this theater, aud
those who came were entertained and amused
as only these two people can amuso. The play,
entitled "The Governor" Is anew one, and is
a suitable companion TO 1.-THE Mighty Dollar"
The scene Is located nj the country residence
OF a prosperous lawyer, whose close attention
to business cstranges his young wife, who,
meeting q former lover, Is induced to elope
with him. Al the right moment the plot is
frustrated and every thing arranged saustac-
torily, Tho chief interest of course centers in
Mr. Florence, who impcrsonates the Governor,
a good.natured, Jolly old gentleman, addicted
to the telling OF marvellous stories, which keep
the audience In continual roar whilo hr Il
on the stage. lie has no especial connection
with the run of the story, exec" is his won
.derhl imagination brips about the happy
dcnouement. Mrs florence rs Miss Matilda
Starr, " =; Nolod authoress fnds now field
for : o., humorous powers, and adds no little To
tie enjoyment. Mr.. and Mrs. Florence arc
we'll supported by careiully.selected com
pany. "The Governor will be repeated this
and tomorrow evenings. On Thursday and
Friday nights "The Mighty Dollar will be
presented.
ALBAuGHs GRAND orERA HOUSE.
An audience Of good proportions, consider.
ing the wretched condition Of the weather,
found much to laugh at in the bill presented
at this house last night by Mr.. J. b. Polk and
his company. "Lend Ne Five shillings' was
given as an Introductory piece. In view Of the
familiarity of our theatorg goers with Jeiferson'i
admirable handling of the part, Mr. Polk's 70.
oeption In tho role of GolIghtly was finttering
The piece of tho evening "Three Wives Il
One Husband" is of the characteristic type OF
French farce. comedy, with the inevitable
shadow OF suggestiyeness at a couple o,
points II has an absurd plot developed with
a profision of charmingiy nonsensioal Incl
dents calculated TO keen an audience at ali
times in n laughing mood, and frequently to
move .hem 10 unbridled hilarlty. Tho story
Is Of two moderately wild young men with
rich and eccentric uncles, one bent on marry
ing his nephew ofi.hand, tho other desperately
resolved that his nephew shall mover marry
As frequently happens on the stage, the young
mems inclinatlons run counter to the deslrei
ofthe relatives from whom they expect to gel
their living. A bewildering run of contretempi
make 1t necessary for Mr.. Ralph Fielding
young hopeful No. /, to pretend TO love and
promise TO marry three ladies at the same
| time while all the while his heart is taken Ut
with a fourth. Just how this comes about an
how the seemingly hopeless entanglement Il
finally cleared up would be O thankless tasl
TO relate. There ia almost unlimited oppor.
tunity for lively, laughter. provoking comedy