The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-10-03
LOC.IL IMLSENENTS.

LOtIL an tSEuENIS,
The New National Theatre - Initial
Performance of Lady Ashley"
The opening of the new National Theatre
on Monday evening will be an event vel
coined with popular rejoicing. The verdict
of the public, when the doors are thrown
open, will he that the energy and enterprise
of the proprietors have provided Washing
ton with one of the best constructed, most
comfortable, coy and commodiOus theatres
in the United States. There will be no
greater source of qualification to those who
had become attached to the old National
Theatre than to find how completely its best
features have been reproduced in the new
structure and how thoroughly the defects
Of the old house have been avoided.
The main considerations in the construc-
ton of the new theatre have been those in
which the theatie-going public has deepest
interest. Every other purpose has been
subordinatcd TO that of securing an audi
forum in which every spectator is assured
Of a place where he can sit in comfort OBJ
tain good view Of every portion Of the
stage and hear distinctly all that is said
upon it. The means of entrance and exit
are better than have heretofore been at
tanned; the construction of every portion of
the auditorium shows marked improvement,
and the stage is large, commodious, well
uCslsLCN anu cNtllppt'' -llOHtlutT Juc Ill
terror of the New National Theatre is a
complete architectural success.
The decorations of the entrance Hobbies
and stairways are of the most artistic and
striking description, but, unfortunately, the
same display of taste and skill does not eX-
tend to the decoration of the interior walls.
These cannot be said to be up to the stan
dGrd elsewhere obtained, but are compare
lively unimportant and are relieved by the
t,.l Il 90
and drapery. The prOscenium boxes are
beautifully arranged. The rich dark red
carpetings are elegant and the drop curtain
is effective and artistic. The audience that
will crowd the National Theatre ON Monday
evening will realize a sense of gratitude to
the designers and builders, for the comforts
and advantages of the new theatre, and the
new National will fulfill the expectations of
its most enthusiastic admirers.
The National Theatre has had checIered
career. The theatre was first finished in
1885, the initial performance being given
December of that year. 1t was commodi-
Gus and possessed excellent facilities for
seeing and hearing. There was good deal
Of fancy work about it in the way of deco
ratiOns, a number Of plays presented there
between 1885 and ISIS were written by
prominent men Of the day, and most of
their efforts were successful, but none Of
them have lived. 1t was in 1913 that the
theatre was first visited by fire. 1t was
then completely destroyed. No efforts
to rebuild were made until after the McXi-
can war; a temporary structure called the
New National Hall being put up for theat-
rical and concert entertainments. In 1852
the theatre was rebuilt.
January IL, 1857, there was another fire
and the theatre was again burned to the
/ ground. 1t was rebuilt in 1862, but only to
stand eleven years, for in 1873, June IS,
| there was another fiery visitation, and for
| the third time the building was destroyed.
| The work of rebuilding was commenced
| Immediately, and at the opening of the fol-
lowing season it was found ready to cater
to the public. All went well until last
winter, when for the fourth time the fire
swept away the National Theatre. Mr..
Rapley, the owner, was not daunted, and
has built one of the finest theatres south
| Of New York ON the old site. There are
few theatres in the country more complete
| than Mr. Raplcy'5 beautiful new structure.
| The theatre has passed through various
| hands, but has always been successful. All
of the leading actors in this country and
from abroad who have visited here since it
was first built have appeared on its boards.
| BY association the National is very pOpu-
lar with the people Of Washington, who,
| though it has so often been rebuilt, look
upon II as a landmark.
The opening performance is to he one
which would be Il strong attraction under
any circumstances, Mile, Rhea and her
admirable company appearing for the first
time in Washington in Lady Ashley a
play which she herself regards as one of
the best in her repertoire, Lady Ashley
is new play by Messrs. Elwyn A, Barron
aud Morgan Bates, and affords Mile. Rhca
full scope for her emotional powers in Il
part fOrCble aud fascinating. After the
presentations Monday and Tuesday even
mgs and Wednesday matinee Lady Ash
lcN' will give place TO "Frou-Frou,' which
will lie rendered ON Wednesday and Thurs
day evenings and Saturday matinee! Friday
evening "a Dangerous Came and Satur-
day evening "Ihe Powerof Love"
MICHAEL sTRoGoFF At ALBAUGH's.
Alhaugh's Grand Opera House presents
one of the greatest and most popular of the
| spectacular attractions next week. "Nli-
| chgcl StrogOnn will he rendered with great
| perfection of detail and with hrilliaucc OF
| scenic effect heightened since its last pro-
| duction here The tragic incidents OF a
| really good plot are interviewer with bal
| loon ascension, trip down the Rhine, a
| great battlefield tablcau and spectacular
| effects Us varied rs they are striking, and
rs brilliant as they are realistic, "Michacl
| strogoit' will be presented with strong
| cast, and VIII ensure large audiences.
"ruE BREADwINNERn At FoRp's.
Ford's OpeW-IIousc rcopens for the regu-
| lar season ON Monday evening with "Ihc
| NCadwiuuCLN new sensational drama
adapted from the French 10y the authors Of
| 1.-THE Two Orphans and "a Celebrated
| Case The Breadwuner' ahounds with
| thrilling incidents and Is set with realistic
! stage pictures The scenery, prepared 10y
| MCs5rs, Merry and NCcgtlm, is rs their
] NluunAT Ar gp urtistit aNsnllnppp