The Evening critic., 1885-01-14

A novel and interesting sight was pre-
scented at the National Theatre at midnight
last night when CRITIC reporter entered
the auditorium. There were twenty or
thirty persons present, the auditorium was
dark and gloomy, the stage was dimly
lighted and q rehearsal Of "The American
Countess" was in progress.
1.-THE American Countess" however, was
not upon the stage at the moment. The
Countess" or rather the Queen of the
Emotional Stage, the fascinating, charming
Mile. Rhea, was the central figure Of little
group of dramatic and journalistic ad-
mirers standing in the central aisle. The
dark shadows partly obscured the group,
but when the light fell upon the actress
she appeared more beautiful than the re-
porter had ever thought her on the stage
An embossed ruby satin dress with long
train displayed Mile. Rhea's face and form
to excellent advantage, but with the excep-
tion of the brilliant toilet, her mako up was
not for the stage Her charms were entirely
her own, and the fascinating accent, tho
vicacious manner, the graceful movements
aud the ringing silvery laugh were more
fully appreciated by the susceptible scribe
when the conversation was addressed TO
him than when whole audience shares the
delights Of Mile. Rhea's merry, charming
manner.
The actress consented to surrender her
few moments of leisure to answer the re-
porter's queries as to herself and her new
play.
81 am very confident and very happy"
she said. at is grand play, and love
my part in 1t. No one can predict the sue
cess Of a play unit! it has been presented.
Not even Boucicault-no, not even Sar-
dou-can tell what an audience will think
of a play or what a critic will say about IT.;
but this play is beautiful; as literary pro.
duction admire it very much; as satire
it is admirable. l know of none to COM
pare with IL.
~ am glad to appear first in my new, my
favorite, role in Washington. 1t is lovely
city +; 1t is great city. Its audiences are
distinguished, and they are Just. was
very anxious to appear first in Washington
in The American Countess To give all
Of my reasons would cause mo to be ac-
cused of fiattery-as IL the beautiful Capt.
tai City could DO fiattered.
II love my new part. ! am little
nervous about it, but the speeches are
beautiful the character suits me well.
do not know how have learned the lines
at the dressing.case, in the railway cars,
between the acts, at all times and places /
nave ebuultu anu udVo T6pcdIGQ III
til have learned IL and conceived how IL
should be done. 1t is my favorite part. /
would sooner render 1t we'll than any char
acter l have ever played.
The actress was asked whether the satire
of 1.-THE American Countess" was personal
in its nature, and whether the prominent
characters were drawn from models in
American society.
mo-" she replied promptly and emphat-
ically; lit is not personal, it is not unkind.
The characters are drawn to the life
there are many examples of some of them
the satire is just the characters are real
istic, and many people will doubtless dis
cover and proclaim resemblances to we'll
known residents of our great cities, but
they are not personal at all. No family is
intended no living model is selected A
class and not an individual is aimed at.
The satire is good-natured, it will not Of
fend it is popular and it is right. .
II have been very hard at work, travel
ing, rehearsing, studying aud acting. am
am not weary, but | am excited, perhaps
nervous. Success Tomorrow evening is the
highest aim of my life. / am inpatient.
wish to appear. l wish to see what the
world will say"
second act had broken the spell aud ended
the interview, and Rhea, sparkling with
gems, gorgeous in costume, beautiful in face
and form, and, above all, graceful in every
movement, was bidding very hasty good
by and running down the aisle at full speed
to reappear moment later on the stage.
The stage itself presented weird pic
ture, with the Intense light and dark
shadows, the disarranged portions of three
of the elaborate and artistic scenes that
have been prepared for the new play and
the confusion usually attendant upon re-
heaIsal,
Mile. Rhea was there in moment,
gracefully and faultlessly performing her
new part, her little foreign accent accord
ing perfectly with the character and all the
features Of plot, dialogue and support
heightening the effect.
Comedy and tragedy, emotion and humor
satire and pathos mingled artistically and
harmoniously. In dialogue and action the
play moved smoothly and effectively
through the act that the reporter witnessed
while stage manager and prompter mean
dered about the stage, the author, Howard
Carroll, perambulated through the aisles
the fascinating Rhea carried the sym
pathies and admiration of her two score Of
hearers with her, and the hands on the
dial passed far beyond midnight aud into
the wee small hours of the morning,