National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-03
ADJUSTMENTS.
NATIONAL TiIEATER.


National pride was excited and the desire
to pay tribute to native talent and American
genius contributed to fill the National Theater
last night TO its utmost capacity with an nu-
dience representing the culture and fashion OF
Washington society TO witness Miss Fanny Da
yenport in her matchless impersonation Of
Fedora. The play is one OF the strongest that
Sardou has written, and made its success in
Paris with Sara Bernhardt In the title role.
Fortunately for the success OF Fedora in
this country II fell into the hands Of
Miss Davenport probably the most competent
actress on the American stage, to faithfully
interpret the complex character OF the heroine
The piece Is thoroughly French in It's construc.
ton, and employs large number OF people at
the outset for the sole purpose OF working up the
nervous forces of the audience to sufficient
intensity to seek for the development of tho
story with eager anxiety. In this case the
interest Of the first act is increased
until the dcnouement is reached. Miss
DayCnport's rendition of the title role was
remarkable piece of acting, and one that
stamps her as the foremost American actress.
The passions OF love and hate were portrayed
with an intensity that held her audience cap
tive and elected the most enthusiastic ap-
plauso. Not only In voice and action was she
remarkably realistic, but every play OF feature
was in harmony with the lines uttered, and IN
the third act the conflict of emotions was pre-
sented with force and power that reached the
height OF grandeur In every phase OF her i'm
persOnntion Miss Davenport was thoroughly
consistent and natural, and her artistic work
was recognized in repeated calls before the
curtain after each act She dressed the part
supcrbly and each toilette was Il revelation OF
the costuniers" pgf ana tho entire wardrobe
harmonizing in color and design with the
character she assumed, made as II were a
part OF the woman, subservient TO, but blend
ing to make a perfect whole.
Mr.. Henry Lees Loris IpanoT victim of the
conspiracy, was a powerfully drawn char
acter and well carried out The entire sup
port h excellent, noticeably so being Mr.. Nc;
DowGlls DeserlouX, Mr.. Jepson's GretCh, and
Miss WeaYer's Countess OlgO Soukareh
The piece was superbly mounted, new
scenery having been especially painted and
the stage appointments being of the most elab-
| crate character President Arthur, Mrs, and
Miss McElroy, aud DR.. Mason, who is guest
at the white house, occupied one ofthe boxes,
the others containing Hecretary and Mrs.
McCulloch aud party Mr. RouStan, the
French minister and party, and Mrs. Frank T.
| Howe, Miss Howe, Representative and Mrs.
Haynes, and Mr. AID Mrs j. o. Lyford.
Among the audience were Representatives
| Ochlltree, Page, and Slocum; the Spanish lega-
ton, Col. Rockwell and ladies Mai. Peabody,
| Col, W. Il. Slack, Judge ShellabargGr, Col.
| lGnoch Totton IIallet Kilbourn, and many
wcll.known society people,
Fedora" will be repeated every evening
this week.
MR. IRyINGs REAPPEARANCE.
! Abaugh's Opera House was well tlled last
| night on the rcappoarance Of Mr., Henry Irving
/ in the Lyceum lhgater Company, The Bells
/ was preceded by Mr.. W. II. MurTay's pleasant
| COmcdlette, "Tho King and the Miller" in
| three scenes This was ngreC0bly done by MT.
/ lrying's company, that gentleman not appear
| ing, The performance by this company Of the
| interesting mclOdruinA Of ".Ihe Bells" q drn-
| mRtiZatou of Erckman. ChatreRus novel en-
titled THE Polish Jew was reviewed at
| length In these columns last year. That of last
night differed In no notable particular from
hu faflR n "a ~ "a "a hl
same carefully elaborated, smooth, natural, nj
times ienrfully realistic production, which
then made so profound an impression. Every
detail Of stage appointment Light effects, cos.
with the former representation, showing how
thOrOugh-gOing and faithful a manager Mr..
Irving Is, and with what n firm hand he Keeps
his company 10 training Mr. Irying's Matthias
was done with the same strong realism which
has so impressed II upon all behOldors The
part IN directly In tune with MI Irying's
powers, and the pcculiarties OF gait and uL
teranCC, which In other roles seem harsh and
uncOuth, rather add to the effectiveness o
this. The ihOllOw voice seems with terrible
pTOpricLy 10 come from those sepulchraI
depths Of guilty conscience where lies hid
den the dreadful secret of his bloody crime.
The shifting, uneasy manner, the Irregular
gait, suit well this haunted man who as the
ties of home and love grow stronger and ten
dcrcr, reYerts with evCr.incroasing terror L
the irghtinl possibilities of discovery, Mr.
Irving held his audience under complete
| sway during the entire performance, and
during those scenes of intense power when h,
counts the dover and in the dream, the atten
tiOn was literally breathless, The audience wa
not of Il character 10 be demOnstrative, bu
Mr., Irving was recalled after the first anC
second acts, and was warmly greeted on hi
first entrance, Ills company IL IN excellen
one, each part being done with care and IN
telligcnCe, rounding out the performance L
most delightful completeness. Mr.. q. Alex
ander was manly and attractive Christian
and Mr. Iyars n most impressive Judge. Tn
Annette of Miss Winlired Emery was simpl
J and pretty, and Mrs Pauncefort made u moth
erly Catherine, This evening "rhe Merchan
Of Venice will be rendered, with Mr., Irwin
rs ShylOck and Miss Terry as Portia, To avoi
u crush the gallery will be opened att o'olocA
. PoRD's OPERA HOUSE.
Carrie Swain delighted an appreclatlye an
b very demOnstratiye audience AZ FOrd's OpeI
House last night In her new play "The Littl
Joker" OF this II may bo said that 1t furnish,
the star frequent possibilities for her eCcentrI
talents, and she seemed entirely equal 10 I'll
part OF Chirp, To which everything else ssubO
dlnated There ia astoTy somewhat improbabl
but Viyidly pictured on the stage Miss hwRi
was before the ioOtlights nearly all the tin
during the progress Of the play giving II
, dash and constant interest, which would
lost were other than she TO act II, Her vOlC
10 far above the average in quality, and IL use
r with good Judgment. The songs are, OF couTs
OF the popular order but are well done, whi
her dances are full OF life and variety. She
fairly supported, and presents vOty RttrActi'
entertainment, which will be repeated evCl
night this week, with Wednesday and SRtu
day afternoon performances,
. LS---
AnOITT PEOPLE