Evening star., 1886-11-02
AMUSEMENTS

NATIONAL LTHEATER.-Doubtlesst the friends
and admirers of MIR. Louis James in this city
went last night to the National theater con-
fident OF witnessing performance of "Vir-
ginius' of more than ordinary merit, at least in
the event fuily met the anticipation of those
who had expected most. MIR. James won from
the audience an acknowledgment of genuine
admiration and approval, such as no new can-
didate for stellar hOnOrs TO use the professional
CAN'T has received in Washington in q long
time. At the end OF the fourth act, after the
impassioned scene with Lucfls the whole
audience became wrought up TO "a high pitch
OF enthusiasm and broke out again and again
Mr.. james three times before the curtain. This
applause was spontaneous and genuine
ack acknowledgements for an admirable piece of
acting. Indeed, 1T may here be said without
fear of successful contradiction that MIR. James
ptrginins was, taken all in all, the best and
most pleasing impersOnation OF the role ever
seen here. IL is consistent and we'll rounded
throughout, carefully and intelligently shaded,
and rises in the impassiOned portions TO
heights OF power and fierce emotion equal TO
any thing the so-calied robust school OF actors
have ever attained in it; while in u certain
grateful sense OF reserve, an absence of any
suggestion oil straining aud an artistic grace of
expression even in the very whlrl wind of pas
sion, MIR. James impersOnatiOn possesses quail
it:es no other Iirgiiius of recent years mas dis
played. That there readily dscerniDle
bemishes in this generally excellent characteri-
cation is of course true. Iirginius is rather too
emotional for IA hardened old Roman soldier,
especially in the betroLhal scene. The great
scene ot Inc play, at the end OF the fifth act was
last night given with insufficient celerity, and,
as IL consequence, lost much in interest. Miss
Marie Wainwright's Pfryinid was worthy of
the leading role. 1t was an intelligent, interest
ing and spirited performance, free from the
tendency tO the dismal which has frequently
characterized this part In the hands OF other
actresses.
audience greeted Mime. Janauschek last even-
ing. Prince Napoleon and his party occupied a
box. The distinguished tragedienne appeared
1Or the first time in the role OF Neg INerriiies
Charlotte Cushman originally created the part,
and made IL one of the most popular and inn
pressive in her repertoire. The first two acts
are uninteresting. II is not till the third that
Ieg Merrities appears, and from thence on
ward absOrbs attention. Mime. Janauschek is
well fitted to support tine character. Frequent
applause and an enthusiastic recall at the end
OF the third act testified the approval of the
audience. 1t Is needless to say that Nine
Janauschek filled the role with ali that cOncen-
trated force of which she is mistress and threw
about 1t a weird glamour of the supernatural
which forms the chief fascination OF SCOTS
wonderful creation. The Dandie Dinmont of
George ID. Chaplin, the Gt0ssoa OF Mr.. Giles
Snine, the Dirk Hatte,ick OF Mr.. Beverly, and
the Dominic of Mr.. E. A. Eberle were clever
pieces of acting. Tue last named seems to have
made a study Of the character as represented in
Scotts novel. Miss Lavinia SHANNON made d.
good Lucy Bertran, and the rest of the charac-
ters were neither better nor worse acted than
usual. "Meg Merriies'' will be repeated this
and Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Al
the matinee Tomorrow, "MOther and SOM will
be gwen.
HARRIS BIJOU THEATRE.-The meIodrama
Ol StOrU beaten was put on at tliS mouse last
night with quite elaborate stage setting and its
stirring incidents were followed with evident
interest aud frequently applauded with enthus.
1asm by the numerous audience.
HERZoG OPERA HOUSE. "Vim,' which
was seen here before, two years ago. was well
rendered at this house last night. That it was
greatly appreciated, there can be no doubt tor
tnere was almost continual laughter and ap-
piause. The circus scene was laug liable in the
extreme. Vim" will remain at this house all
tie week.
KERNAN's THEATER.-The popular demand
tor u good, clean variety performance was well
shown at kernan's last night where
a large audience thoroughly enjoy ed the ex-
tepsive and varied program provided by the
Reilly and Wood com mbination.
DIME NUSEUM.-The numerous audience at
this popular am usement resort last night found
much 10 applaud and laugh at in the thrilling
and comic incidents OF Escaped from Sing
Sing"
IHE PANORAMA OF the Second Battle OF Bull
remains on daily exhibition.