The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-11-22
ADJUSTMENTS.

IN which several complaints are made against the
way in which Mr.. John T. Ford manages his theatre
| here. The chief one is that on the occasion when
the Thatcher, Primrose, and West Ministries played
at this house the advertised price of admission was
Nifty cents, and most OF the seats on the orchestra
| floor were reserved at seventy-nye cents We fail
| 10 see the justice OF the complaint This minstrel
company is rstclass one. and is not used to play
ing at less than standard prices We know that
they objected to playing at the prices which Mr. Ford
suggested and far from the patrons of the theatre
having any ground for complaint at the prices paid
they have Mr. Ford TO thank for the concession they
really secured When persons earn at our local
managers for things OF this kind they generally for
get that he has TO make such terms as he can with
the attractions he secures and that there is point
on which managers OF travelling companies are more
tenacious than that the usual scale of prices shall he
maintained The contracts are almost Invariably
for share OF the receipts, and even II the local
manager were convinced that lower prices would be
profitable he would be met by the refusal OF the
stars and combinations to accept his terms. Rightly
or wrongly, there Is feeling that to adopt cheap
prices is TO forfeit prestige. 1t is business matter
all around, but from no point Of view do we see how
local manager can properly be blamed for charging
regular prices fer his seats.
II is pleasant TO commend a production upon
which so much care, ingenuity, and outlay have
been bestowed as "Fantasma," seen last week at
Albaugh's Grand Opera House, under the manage.
ment Of the famous George and William Hanlon. 1t
has little or no coherency as whole, being partly
fairy tale and partly pantomime, 5u, the parts which
go to make 1t up are. generally speaking, delight
fu that the spectator cannot TAIL to be Interested
and amused. The element OF surprise is constant
throughout brought about not only by the elabor-
ateness OF the stage machinery, which seems to
have no end, but by the genuine novelty of many OF
| the effects. II may be said that one should be
| child again 10 enter fully m
this one OF the cases that prove that men are but
children OF larger growth. The variety of tricks
and tableauN is so bewilderng effecually to pre-
vent any reference to them in detail. They may all
be commended en- nlasSe, with the usual reservation
that II is impossible to please all tastes In every
thing, and some people fail to see the fun of
having Miss Kate Davis rend their ears, even TO
Illustrate what unfortunately needs no proof, how
badly some serio-comlc artists can sing.
"Shadows Of Great City" was evidently written
By Mr.. Shewell as work on American, or, more
strictly speaking, New York themes, to share in the
astonishing success OF the long series OF meoiramas
| which have been imported to our shores. II was
produced for the second time in this city at the New
National Theatre last week, and again met with
favorable reception 1t opens in rather ri,e man.
ner, with the usual villain on the brink Of run the
| sneaking Of some stolen diamonds into the sailor
neros ditty-bag, and other devices familiar 10 melo-
drama, but improves as 1t goes along. The revoly-
Ing and then panoramic scenery Of the escape from
Blackwells Island in the second act Is worthy OF
| notice even in these days Of stage carpenters art.
and the scheme OF sitting the heroine, Ginevralke
In treasure vault and the device by which she is
rescued, In the last act, are clever, well sustained
and exciting. AS last year, Miss Annie Ward TIT
fanys Btddv Roman remains the best piece OF char
acter acting, with the broad comedy OF George Ede-
| sons jim, close second Mr.. Nelson Mheatcroft
| ia n ne TOD in fha thart
| Tom Cooper, and Miss Edna Carey is an attractive
Helen except when she Yields to the strong tempa-
tons Afforded by the dialogue and rants In that re.
spec she falls short of the thorough artist who last
year took the part. 1t is pleasant to see Mr. w. H.
Buron's familiar features once more on our boards
even in the role of the phenomenally stupid detect.
i've OF melodrama who Is always doing exactly the
wrong thing until the finale. Into this MIR. Burton
throws as much force aud fidelity of acting as 1t
| admits.
The Theodore Thomas musical festiva. to be held
at the Congregational Church on Friday and satur-
day evenings promises to be an occasion to be re.
| membered By the musc-loving people OF this city,
His orchestra this year is larger and better than
ever, having been augmented by the addition of
several prominent foreign instrumental soloists
The mere mention of the name of Theodore Thomas
Is sufficient to insure more than crowded house.
His vocal soloists will be Miss Emma Juch, and our
Washington contrato, Mrs Annie Louise Powell
Miss Juch stands pre-eninent as an artistic. She
possesses an exceptionally pure soprano voice of
marvellous skillfnlness. Everywhere she has re-
ceived the most favorable criticisms by the press,
most sapeEsuons to say anything ger in regard e I'd
to Mrs. Powell, as she Is 80 well known
neI but 10 as ner she viii NOT Of s this city se
Her efforts in behalf of church and charitable or
ganlzations In this city are well known and deeply
appreciated she has always been close student
Of music, and began her musical career under the
careful instruction of Professor Carns. Suisse
quently she studied under DR.. BischoG, to whom she
is indebted for the training which enabled her to
make such rapid progress under the great maestro,
hampeIli she s. alao received instrue,oH from the
Last spring she at the advice of friends visited
Europe for the purpose OF studying with Lamperti.
The improvement made by him In her voice has
been wonderful. judging by the favorable criticisms
Of the press. 1t is exceedingly gratifying to know
nifty to Judge Of her powers next Saturday, probably
the only time this season. az this will be the only ap-
pearance here of theodore Thomas.
Edouin and sangers Sparks Company will he at
Alblugh's this week with their very amusing" Bunch
Of Keys; or, the HOTEL This is the most laugh.
provoking of Charles II. Hoyt's eccentric farces,
and the one in which he had the collaboration of
Willie Edouln. We assured that this season the
performance is better than ever-which ia hard to
belieye-as everything Is new, the music, the
scenery, and the fun. The cast comprises sprghtly
Marietta Nash as Teddy Keys, Eugene Canneld as
Crimes, and W. c. Crosbie as Sna9gs. Blanche
Seymour. Ada stanhope, Sallie Cohen, Ida Grimm,
George Lauri, Charles b. Stevens, and William
and new features have been added since last winter
The large stage at Albangh's will give chance to
third acts effective. To those who know how enter
tanning this play is no more need be said but those
who have never seen ought MOTTO miss the chance
10 nave very mirthful evening.
"The Wages of SIM presented by the Maubury-
Oyerton Company, will be the attraction at the New
National next week. An extra matinee will be given
on Thanksgiving Day. The company, in the main,
Ia the same as last season. the substitution OF Miss
Eleanor Carey for Agnes Booth being the most nota-
bic change. The following is from the New York
Herald: % Last night, at the Fourtecnth-street
Theatre, The Wages OF Sin presented be-
fore large and thoroughly delighted assem-
fully arranged melodrama, depending for effect not
upon the adventitious aids OF the carpenter and
scene painter, but upon ts strong human interest,
quick action, clever cmaxes, and genuine dra.
matte merit The author, Frank Harvey, possesses
rare constructive skill, aud the facility for writing
telling dialogue. Ills characters are drawn boldly,
and offer variety Of contrasts. The situations are
seena saa wih
way as The Ticket-of.Leaye Man, has been repre-.
scented continuously before the British public for the
past three years. 1t contains all the elements that
commend piece to the popular taste, and last
Laughter and applause resounded through the the
atrc during the evening at brief Intervals, and the
!,
gratiied with the hearty enjoyment had afforded
| The story Of the drama teaches wholesome lesson
= and verihes the scrlpural warning which has been
: utilized in the title. The cast was quite excellent
throughout
The South Washington Star Course deserves spe
cal attention on account OF the variety OF attractions
u 1t offers. 1t will be opened by grand concert b.
! the Camilla Urso Troupe at Congregational Church
= Tuesday evening. This eminent violin yirtuosl II
4 supported by an expensive company, carefully &c
lected to meet the principal artists desire 10 hay,
= every number on her programme adequately pre-
scented. II comprises Miss Alice May Esty, soprano
u Signor Carlo Russo, tenor; Mr. Auguste Sauret
| pianist: and Miss Jennie g. Savage, reader and elo
cuonist. The urso IL sure TO be treat Ia
lovers Of music and will easily be worth the yery
g moderate price at which season tickets for thi
whole course have been placed. For this concert re
served seats are only one dollar and for half dol
lar additional seat can be reserved for the entir,
course. The seats are on sale at Elss music store
An agreeable evening ID promised those who atent
the dramatic and musical entertainment 10 be giyer
a at Willard Hall next Friday evening by Miss Mar
d guerite +. Saxton and her selected pupils. Tn,
r dramatic portion OF the programme will incud,
:. scenes from 1.-THE Merchant Of Vencs," "KInI
- john llamlei.n Macbeth and 1.-The Hunch
y back" The musical portion will be furnished BY
y Misses Eva Mills and Mamie Morrlce, and Messrs.