The Evening critic., 1885-01-27
LAST NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS.


proportions and demonstrations Of tho au-
dionce wero emphatic enough TO show the
over-popular actress that her reappearan co
| is o welcome dramatic event aud that she
has lost mono of the charm which she has
swayed so despotically over Washington
audiences. The performance last evening
was that of Tayleure's dramstizati1n of
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and In the
title role Miss Mitchell proved herself
charming as ever. Her VI oice Is as childlike
and fascinating as Of yore, still possessing
that power to move the audience to tears
or laughter at will.
1t is as unnecessary as it Is difficult to
add to tho praises which have been show
cred upon this favorite actress. The ner-
formsnce Of last night equaled any of her
efforts in the past, and Jaao Eyro was re.
peatedly called before the curtain. Miss
Mitchell is as vivacious mitthful aud
efferyescent as ever. The support was un-
usually strong. Tonight Miss Mitchell
will appear in the Pearl of Savoy" ono of
her favorite and most striking parts. At
the Wednesday matinee Little Barefoot"
will be played by special request Wodnes-
day night, 'Lorle;" Thursday and Friday
evenings, Maggie, the Midget Saturday
matinee, "Fanchon, the Cricket"
NATIONAL THEATRE.-The largest au-
dience Of the season was present at the Ma
tionsl last night to witness the first per-
formance in this city Of the new burlesque
extravaganapza, owe, Us & Co., at the
Mud Springs" The first act was not up to
the expectations ofthe audience, but thetwo
remaining acts abounded with ridiculous
situations. Tho play was a burlesque in
the full sense of the word, and the audi
ence was kept In uproarious laughter
throughout the performance. The come
dians, W. A. Mestayer, Ezra f. Kendall, W.
n
the chief merry.makers, and were fre.
quently encored. The revolving hotel
and many other mechanical effects were
exceedingly novel, ingenious and laugh
able. Tho costuming was excellent the
incidents ridiculous and mirth- provoking
| in the extreme ; the music, vocal and in
strumental, was very catchy aud pleasing.
AS burlesque of the most pronounced
type I'VE, Us & Co.. was eminently sue
cessful, and was enthusiastically greeted
| by the audience.
| FoRDs OPERA -BoUsE.-A large audi
| ence assembled at Ford's last evening to
witness Jessopp and Gill's musical comedy,
"a Bottle Of Ink" II is not too severe to
say that, on the whole, the audience was
disappointed. There is much of the clown
| ish muscular nonsense which is devoid of
wit or humor, and can find no response in
refined audience. In the first act coun-
try editors Office Is represented. The
scenes enacted are pointless, the dialogue
generally is weak, and the whole thing
| drags. The act ends with Clara Fire de
Perc, an actress, inviting the company TO
attend dress rehearsal at her theatre. In
| the second act the rehearsal is represented.
| This gives the different members of the
| company an opportunity to display their
specialties. They were, without exception,
well rendered, and atoned for the weak
ness and fatness of the earlier part of the
| performance. Miss Ida Mule was especi-
| ally charming aud "cute I" as Cupid in the
scene from "Orpbeus and Eurydice," and
was delicious as Phyllis In the scene from
Iolantho." Her voice is strong, clear and
sweet. Miss Jarbeau sustained her reputa-
tion as vivacious and pretty singer. Miss
Maude Beverly's selections from Madame
Angot" were repeatedly encored. 1t would
be tedious to particularize further. Every
piece was well rendered and provoked
hearty praise. Mr. John A. AIaclkay was
the life of the entire performance. He was
irresistibly funny, but some of his stage
business is rather old 1t should DO reno.
waited. The first act should be carefully re-
vised. An opportunity is given for some
very amusing situations. 1t Is now in
sulerably weak. By suppressing the al
legged Dutchman and toning down his wife,
whose acting is forced and melancholy, the
scene might bo improved. There are many
ways in which improvement could be made.
DIME MUsEUM.-At the museum on
Pennsylvania avenue, near Eleventh street,
the Agnes Wallace-Villa Combination be-
gan weeks engagement yesterday to two
packed houses, and more delightful aud
thoroughly enjoyable entertainment has
never been given at this popular place OF
| amusement. The bill was double one OF
| great strength, and either portion Of the
performance would have given abundant
satisfaction. 1t opened with Wilkie Col
Inns great drama, "The New Magdalen,"
with Agnes Wallace-Villa as Mercy Merrick,
and her rendition OF the role stamped her
as an actress of much merit. She is careful
and finished in every detail. 1t was in the
third act, in the scene with Grace RoseJery
| assumed by Miss Sabra Deshon) that she
| shone forth in her full power. 1t was an
artistic piece Of acting, aud met with the
reception it so richly deserved in an enthu-
siastic recall. The support throughout was
good. Following the drama came a musical
afterpiece of "Ann Bow Lean in which
Sam b. villa whose abilities as q female
burlesque impersonator rank among the
best, assumed the part OF the strong minded
Queen Aane. 1t is replete with the latest
musical hits, catching dances, duets med
leys, ETC., and was greeted with unbourded
merriment. Interspersed with all of this
was an olio of several selections, including
Houssaburo Sam, in equilibristic feats
Hulmes and Orville, prial artists, and
Weston and Hanson, musical specialists
that were all first-class and were each fav
ored with several encores. This week.
bill is certainly credit TO the popular
Dino Museum, and crowded houses canno
fail to be the order of the week.
HERzoos MUsEuM.-It seems to maxi
no difference what is played at this popu
lar family res0rt--opera, drama, minstrel
all take, Both performances of Sawyer
Original Georgia Minstrels at this favorit
family theatre were crowded yesterday
The management was shrewd in providin
minstrel entertainment for Washingto
Just now. There has not been q perform
ance OF the kind here in so long time
and Sawyer's company is such reall
clever one that Herzog's will be packed a
the week beyond doubt Major Tot an
Punch and Judy" pleased the little one
THEATRE Notwithstanding room wa
at q premium at the Theatre Comiqu
when the curtain went up last night. Th
attraction was the Australian GombinatiO
of novelties, which excited tho applause
the immense audience for every act. SON
wonderful feats, including that Of NIL
Aimee, who walks on the ceiling, ii
Parisian athletes, the Russian skaters, an
those of the trained giraffe were indef
novelties, and held tho attention of ii
audience throughout There Is u matinI
to-day.
PROFESSOR FIsKE's LECTURE. .-PrOfe
sor John FisSe delivered the third Of h
course ofhistoTical lectures AZ tho C0ngr
national Church last evening His subei