National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-23
ANIUSENIEN rs.


II Is q safe assumption that whatever Nine.
Modjeska attempts to do Will be done excel
lently. She comes to us this time with new
repertoire, and there was some curiosity to
know how she would manage the new roles
1t goes without saying that she rendered the
difficult role OF Donna Diana with finished
art, and will achieve like success in other
now roles. MHrstons adaptation of Moreto's
comedy with the title OF "Donna Diana" re-
temblGs in outline and purpose much Ado
About Nothing and several other plays having
ior their motive the subiugation of wOman's
pride and cOldness Ofheart by means of a1rOit
yet heroic treatment. Donna Diana Is cold
classical, and noble in birth. She is princess OF
barcelona. 10 her fathers court come many
nOblemcn who seek her hand Among them
is Don CaSar, handsome, impetuous, who is
badly smilen with her charms md at the
same time miserably conscious of her naughty
Indifference TO the stcrner sex, and her utter
disbelief in the little god OF love. CCsar's
secretary advises him to try the virtue OF as.
SumirG outward disregard for the fair one s at.
fractions. Diana, challenged by his affected
disdain, throws down the gage, aud declares
she will bring him to her feet. And a lively
duel between the two goes on through the four
acts. Finally by Jealousy she is forced to ad.
init TO herself Size loves him, and then trealing
pride under foot, she tells Caesar of her love
before the whole duCnl court. The comedy Is
ingCniOusly constructed, aud the dialogue
Spnrklcs with wit, repGrtGc, and cplgram.
The character Of Diana, rs played by Nine.
MCdlcSkn, Is u charming creation, presenting
among its other delightful qualities daintincss,
feeling, and humor of highly-reiincd descrip.
ton. She showed rare and accurate knONl.
edge Of feminine pride and feminine weak.
nCssCs In this She has scored another artistic
success iit TO rank with any that has marked
her career. Nine MOdieska'S dresses were sll.
perb in color, style and harmonious effects.
Never could old MOretu have dreamed of Il
iaiicr more gracious vision in the part than Is
Modlcsko IN "IonnH Diana" The support is
excellent. Tho programme Is changed for each
performance. "Odctte" is the play for tonight.
NArIoSAL TnEATER.
crowded house at the National Thcatcr
last evening laughed, and screamed, nnl ap.
plaudcd Mr.. William Gillctte's charIctcri2l.
tit OF the muCh'enduring md much endured
Curatc last evening. His innumerablc iShaps
and compromising situations quite cOnvulsGd
the audience. Tile three acts Is rcpletc with
fun. Like q Gilbert lbrettO there are no plot,
is not momCntaTily cleared up. Mr. Gillette
Is the authcr of "fhe Professor" in which he
first played, and "Esmenda," aud "lleld by
the Enemy" and In many points fine como.
dian. His Madison Square Theatcr training
has done much 10 perfect his art, aud we have
comedian who Is In reality the person he so
tlcmnn, His anatomy is in his favor, too, and
II is possible he has The longest and the thin.
nest legs, and the most spasmolic ones upon
Tie stage The SUPPORTS way above the aver
Square training school for actors NJ. A. Ken.
nGdy as CattermOle the rich and irascible East
Indian, runs the star rather close.
seur to make the satisfactory distinctions aud
the wherefore the one was leading and the
other not. Frank TannNhill, lr, takes tho
head and pocket. Miss Addison as Miss Ash.
ford is II tptop persOnator. The play contin.
mes through the week, with saturday matinee.
The "lrlyate Secretary" lsa roaring success; It
takes the popular fancy, and then II gives us a
chance to study English las she is acted"
HAIRLESS EIOV TUEATER,
Alfred Miaeo, the great clown, with numer.
Gus sDecialies and artists, held the boards ut
the "BiiOu," lIumpty Dumpty sat on n walr'
and made mccs for the amusement of the
numerous little ones" present There was by
actual count ms babies in the house at the
matinee, accompanied by papa mamma, and
nurse 1t was not baby show, but good Mr..
Harris selected this company especially to
please the babies, and he also knew that where
baby GOGs the rest ana less important part OF
the family follow. Surely the babies are In
dChted TO Mr.. Harris They watched lIumpty
llmnpy grin, turn sOmcrsQults, and gave eX.
preston Of their delight in sOig c1Oings and
crOWipgs, and whenever llumpty Dumpty got
INTO trouble they would sympNthiIe with him
in their own little baby way. When big po-
lcemOn was about to arrest him one little
"tooisy wootsy" purred out look out,
Imply " But, liumpty was soon out OF
trouble and again the babies crowcd. IIumpty
Dumpty understood baby language and he
knew that his infant friends enjoyed his antics
ana was much pleased thereby, The enter
hlHNltUl was Dlllllllll " lllit lllNl was u ldHt
treat to the elder as well as the younger plr.
ton of the audience.
IiERZOG's OPERA HOUSE,
Early last evening "Only standing rom"
was the answer 10 Nll applicants AZ lIer2og $,
and soon even that was sought as favor.
Certainly the largest audience of the season,
The play, "Afler Dark" was presented through.
out. with great power, three Of It's actors,
perhaps, being distinguished above the rest,
namely, King Hedly, as Old Tom Daniel II.
Lacy, as Sir George Medhurst, and Miss Nellie
Donald, as Eliza. The enjoyment of the as.
semblage reached the highest degree. Mons,
Edward Glguorc, by his ballads and wonder
ful warbling song, created enthusiasm, result
ing in several recalls, and "Musical Dale" by
his marvellous mGtery of seyeIals instruments,
especially the bells produced at least equal
effect. "After Dark and their accompany.
ments should, and doubtless win, crowd the
house each day and evening Of the week,
THE DIME MUSEUM
The new rip Van Winkle," noted at the
Dime last night proves TO be an Old one, in fact
that written for ard performed by the late
Charles BurRe-the FIRST fever presented on the