The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-10-25
AMUSE NJ MENTS.

Ford's opera House was strongly earrisored last
week by "a TIN Soldier " aud the laughing army he
! led iuto Il. Mr.. lloyt now holds position In tho
farcical drama somewhat akin to that OF Mr
| William Schwenk Gilbert In the field Of comic
opera. His productions are sure OF success OF
curiosity. but they have to stand comparison with
"a Rag Baby " and IA raror Match" which makes
u dinlcult for the author 10 achieve novelty and
Keep up TO the same level OF harmless run. az Thu
Soldier " is fairly successful In ths way. Tho pred.
atory plumber and the borrowing nclghbor form as
good target for burlesquc as the book agent, the
druggist, aud the amateur athlete. The element OF
complete surprise Is lacking from the ingen rus y
contrivcd effects only because the audience warned
by experience, Is kccnly on the lookout for
everything OF the sort After all, the acceptance
OF such productions, "irncs light air." depends
mainly upon tho merits OF the company that
embodies them, and In this respect ",A Thu
Soldier" who, 10y the way, never makes his ap.
pearancc IN proprm persona, is fortunate.
The ladies arc all comely, from pretty Rachel Booth
to the nne-looklng Miss Isabelle Coc. Miss Victoria
Reynolds is well lifted to lead in the Incidental
dancing. MIR. James 7. Powers has part that re-
calls his quaint cccontrlcity az the bcllboy In "
Bunch OF Keys" and Mr.. George w. Wilson dis.
plays dry humor as the " sanitary engineer that
grows upon the audience rs the play proceeds.
There Is considerable dulct character acting In Miss
Amy Amcs's Irish servant girl that Ia rather lost
amid the general uproarou sness and practical jok-
ing. The names OF the personages, by the way, are
a study OF atrcclty. Nora Marks, for an auxiliary
character VIII, has little or nothing TO say, Is almost
touch OF genius.
All the changes nude by Mr.. Frank MAYO In
"Nordeck" since last season are improvements.
The piece does not now violate traditional and poetic
sentiment by attacking unfortunate and downtroi-
den Poland SO severely rs 1t did before. The last
act, which before was distinctly transporting, as
Londoncrs say, has given way to quiet interior
scene which preserves the unity Of the piece as a
romantic comcdy-drauia, rather than mere melo-
drama, TO the cni. Miss "Kathryn :" Kidder can
fortunately act better than she can spell, and IN
several scenes attained very high level of effective
ness Her chief danger Is from the temptation to
initiate Mary Anderson. One exponent of what may
be called the Ham. Grifln school OF hstrionc art Is
quite enough for one country at one time. There
was general curiosity to Mr.. John e. Frcuni In
his new vocation. Ills line appe france as the tutor
Fabian was In his favor, and he played the part
with quiet humor, avoiding exaggeraiion or self
assertiveness. lie was well seconded by Miss
Alice Lormcr, "a stage nancy who Is said
to be novice of this season, though no one
would suspect 1t from her arch and charming pres
entatlon OF Margaret. Mr. i. H. Taylor as the
faithful guardian uncle OF the hero Is evidently n
favorite with audiences by his sincerity AMI earnest
ness. His cry OF JOY In the thirl act when his
nephew returns Just In time to save villica may he
cited as one OF those Instances Of perfect genu
ineness that seem to go right TO the hearts OF all
hearers. The characteristic merits OF Mr.. Mayo's
repressed, almost ron:ca yet intense style are
well known to need description.
James o'Neill, the actor, formerly the leading
man at the California Theatre, In San Francisco,
and was great favorte on the Pacdc Coast, espe-
clay with the ladies. lie was for years their sort
Of Montague -Ringold combined. Finally he fell In
love with his now charming wife, but in counting
her, according to yarn written by" Derrick Dodd."
Frank GassawayJ he found 1t difficult to :" make
love" In earnest although he had always been cast
as the principal lover In the play. At last even.
Ing In the young lady's parlor happy thought
struck him. He moved the sofa from near the wall
to the middle Of the room opposite the fireplace and
after the fair one sat down on 1t he stood behind
IT, and, facing the nre, as an imaginary and brilliant
audience, he made love with such passion as would
cause Romeo or Claude Melnot,eto turn green
with envy. such was the force of habit. He was
instantly accepted.
One OF the most notable OF successes OF the fail
season In New York Is to he produced q. F0rI's this
week. 1t is the American four-act emotional drama,
"a Moral Crime" by the Chicago dramatists, Elwyn
A. Barron and Morgan Bates, which will be pre-
tirely new scenery and stage appointments. The
Chicago Journal, speaking of the production OF this
drama in that city, says "The first act, wilhal Is
largely Introductory and pictures principally the ey
ravagant gallanries OF the age, shows some OF the
best work Ia the piece. Joseph Haworth as the
Count DARert has almost creation as the polished
nODeulan, but little less than in the intensest dis
play OF passion In The third he rises TO the very
pinnacle OF hIstrionic power, and the heartstrpgs
OF the audience were strained with his own as he
nears the revelation OF his sisters salvation from
tctf an nf nnstn tntr t,a
interrupts the story and gives vent to all the pen-up
agony and love conmingled within him NO hand Ia
markable and voice and action would clearly mark
the gradual steps toward the climax were the reve
lation whispered one. There Ia no reason why he
should he given mention before Marie Prescott az
Mdthitde save that he H. really the central figure
around which her every motion and emotion Is
given play. only the most consummaie actress
could attempt such character, and few others, II
any, possess the power and versatility to carry
It through. 1t Is difficult role, fanltlessy
sion TO the superficial carriage of a woman OF So
ciety with cleverness that removes the actress
from the mind AMI substitutes a suffering, prose-
cuted woman, battling with all a woman's weapons
against the world. Perhap. her finest piece of work
s the hesitation with which she sends the letter
the Count, appointing the meeting at the old
chateau. The subordinate characters are all well
handled; The furniture comprises three distinct
sets, and no drawlngroom In the most precautionary
appointed mansion In the country contains liner
grade OF elaborate art furniture. II was made from
special designs to accord with the historical period
OF the play which Ia laid in the reign of Louis XVI
of France. Each OF the many pieces Ia perfect art
study in itself and well worth the inspection OF ali
lovers OF high art In furniture"
At Albaugh's this week we shall see new play,
Of which the Brooklyn Eagle said: "That Mr..
Buchanan's Alone In London Is on the high tide
of prosperity and public favor was shown at the
Park Theatre last evening, when completely filed
house witnessed the reproduction Of 'Alone In
London In his selection OF play for au outside
venture the astute manager of the Park Theatre has
chosen wisely. 'Alone In London Is destined o
take rank alongside the most successful mel0-dramc
successes known to the American stage and, indeed,
1t Is an open question whether the measure of its
artistic and pecunary success will not far Ontrun
that Of 'The World the Lights o. London, or q
score OF others that might be named The piece has
been so recently reviewed at length 10 this place
that extended alluson to its merits does require
to be made at this time. A word, however, should
be said In regard to the improvements which have
been effected In ts presentation Itmay be promised
that the management has got together company
which for individual and collective strength Ii not
supassed II 1t may be held to be equale1, by any
body OF actors now before the public. Long associa
working and acting organization. A completely
satisfying performance ID thus far assured. Miss
Annie Ueadoms. Several OF the Boston Journals
were good enough TO call attention to the similarity
In appearance and method OF Miss Tanner and Miss
Ellen Terry ind observation OF the former will dis
close that the comparison is Just one. 'AlOne In
London The famous 'sluice scene' is now 30 ar
ranged to convey the impression that the III fated
heroine OF the play is siruegllng 10 real water, and
the picturesque effects OF the Houses OF Parliament
and Westminster Bridge have been sensibly en-
hanced. Further than this the scenic embellisll-
ments of this piece have be.n amplined to degree.
Amnsement-seekers In quest OF an Interesting play,
well acted and finely mounted, will make 1t point
to witness Alone Ia London"
The talented comedians Harrison and GOurlay,
aided by the most excellent comedy organization
that has ever heretofore appeared with them, com.
mence weeks engagement at the National Theatre
tomorrow evening, ia the presentation OF revised
version OF their famous laughing success "skipped
by the Light Of the Moon" Many new features and
all new music have been Introduced In this produce
lion since last seen here, and II IL everywhere
spoken OF a. being even funner than ever before.
| People at the present time want 10 laugh, and
"Skpped IL funny from the ground m. Its vital
y aetion hnmor, and grotesqneness, lis verbal fun
and gyInnasc hi.arity, It's vim and "go," that
caused laughter 10 re-echo from every nook and
corner OF the theatre on iis last presentation here,
will have lost none OF its charm, and will undOnb
edly cause repetition OF Its former success. The
New York IdiegydDi, speaking OF the performance
n Its present shape, says: "lt Il phanasinagOrla
OF mirfh, u regular emporium OF laughing gas
Moreover, IL Is performed with slap, dash, and rush
that are captivating and Infectious. One has
scarcely time TO breathe between laughs aud naugh
10 left 10 the minds OF the spectators hour after
tue performance except an exaggerated silhouette
| of MeBsrs, HarrlBOn and (iOurlaV IA arrn,atir