Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-06

THE NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-The open
ing of this fine new playhouse last night was
accomplished in manner that must have been
success. The audience filled the house beyond
the point Of comfort, every seat and al! avail
an1e standing room being occupied and A fami
ly, Solicitor General GoOde. wife and two
daughters; Mr.. and Mrs: $. p Rounds Judge
Mrs. John E. Wagganan, Postmaster Conger
and wife. and many other well known cltlzens
OF the T hs Of the
was particularly remarked HOyt Deautnui cur
tain was applauded as the asbestos curtain was
of the evening began, Miss Julia Wheeler, q
member of the old Barrett CLUB OF TINS
poem by Mr. Edward Cropsey. At the end Of
the second act there were loud and long con-
tinued calls for Mr.. W. w. Rapley, but that
+. Howe came before the curtain, and in the
name of Mr.. Rapley, who was too modest to
thanks nhsdy AsnIey. the new play in which
Mile. Rhea appeared last night, Is founded on
Bertha Clay's novel, Fair but False" The
story of it contains little that had not been
dealt with by many dramatists ere Messrs.
Barron and Bates constructed the present play.
The story and the fate of Lady Ashley bring
mind OF the old play-goer. The New Magda-
len" and Camille" are recalled to every mind
by the motive and the catastrophe, though the
underlying conditions are not the same. The
cornerstone of Lady Ashley Is laid on fOun-
dation of legal Incompetence and laundering
that passes belief and destroys confidence in all
that Is to follow. The construction of the play
is. however, above the average of the work of
beginners in this field. The action Is smooth
and coherent. and the interest is gradually de-
veloped up to the climax In the third act. Here,
however, the mistake Is made Of ending an act
with one Of comparative passivity Mile. Rhea
was as winning as ever in the try
ing role OF the false Lady Ashley: He.
rare art and strong emotional power moved
her audience to frequent applause. Sne received
at the end of the third act fine floral ship, the
Offering Of the order OF Elks. Mile. Rhea has
the present season the best supporting company
yet seen with her. Mr.. A. H. Forrest, evidently
a gentleman of fine training and wide expert
+. Sullivan as Major D,amn,oad, MI. r. G. VII.
Nosman, and Miss Mae Clarke as Iaryaret
the faithful old retainer, Mr.. Percy Sage made q
most interesting feature. Mr.. G. 7: Vincents
Doctor was rather shock to conventlonai ioea cas-
should be. The piece was finely mounted, the
scenery by Mr.; J. G. Bass and the properties by
appropriate Lady Ashley" win be repeated
this evening and at tO-morrows matinee. To-
morrow evening "Frou-Frou."
ners," which is q remarkable example of COM
pOsite dramatic architecture, was presented at
Ford's last night, meeting with considerable
favor from q numerous audience. The play Is
said to have been constructed by throwing to-
gether scenes from couple of well-knOwn
facie evidence. 1t is in five acts, and two of the
sets were unusually good examples of the stage
dressing art. These are the snow storm at the
founding hospital and the whirlpool by MOON
light. The various roles were fairly well taken.
1.-The Bread-winners" will remain ut Ford's all
the week.
ALBAUGHs OPERA HoUsE.-Though the in
cidents of "Michael StrOgOff" have become
familiar to most theatergOers in this city, the
return of the play drew TO Albaugh's last night
an audience of goOdly numbers. The ladies
and gentlemen engaged in the representation
Many of them were fairly good, while some
could lay claim to little merit as actors. MIR.
SlaytOn as Michael, Cecile Rush as Maria, Miss
Waterman as Sang0rr0, and Miss Arnold as
Nadia, are deserving of mention. The hallets
in the first and fourth acts were entertaining,
especially the latter, led by Mile. CarlOtta Bril-
ANA. This lady possesses q force, grace and
airiness of motion that are rarely excelled. The
play will remain at Albaughs all the week.
HEROES OPERA HOUSE.-That favOrite
house at Herzog's last night with the laughable
incidents of "Big Bonanza" one of Mr.. Angus
tin Days most successful comedies. Mr.. Faw-
cett belongs to a school of actors who make in
terestng every part they undertake, and his
representation of Prot. IuUalidder last night
was throughout enjoyable. There are daily
matinees at HerzOg's.
DIME MUsEUM.-An entertainment rarely
seen nowadays is a good, Old-fashiOned variety
show, and when one Is found it is sure to be ap.
preciated. Mr. Dan kelly's company gave such
an entertainment at this house last night to
troupe will remain the fe all the week.
THEATER COMIQUE.-Miss Alice Oates and
her troupe of burleSque artists last night ap-
Peared in an entertaining travesty OF THE
Princess of TrebizOnde.f There were also the
usual olio features. The audience was nu-
merOuS