Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-16
A Modern Nirginius.

THE ROMAN FATHER IN PIcCADILLY COLLAR AND
cUTAwAY COAT.
From the Httsburg Post November IL
Frederick Warde attempted last night what
Edwin Booth has done-play a tragedy with all
the characters attired in citizens clothes. Mr..
Warde was not particularly anxious to do il,
but Manager Wilt argued that, no matter il the
baggage didn't come, and that the costumes
were lacking, the proper thing nevertheless
would be to give "Nirginius' at any rate, the
noble Romans TO be attired in street costumes
For an hour Mr.. Wsrde considered the aues-
ton, and then stepped to the fDotlights and er-
planned that, through chapter Of accidents,
the baggage OF the company had been DELAYED
de would call the attention OF the audience to
the fact that. years ago, it was quite the proper
thing to do" tragedy with the actors In their
every day dress, and that while the practice
had fallen into ''innocuous desuetude" he
would revive il for one night for the especial
dement, OF PIttsburgers. The audience APP
plauded Mr.. Warde as he bowed himself out OF
sight, and thrill of expectancy coursed
through the house. Then the play went on.
"Ah, my daughter" said f6qini,ls, in his
deepest tones, as he strobe into view dressed in
pepper and salt pants, cutaway coat, with a
geld watch chain across the front Of the vest
and white-wings collar saving his ears Then
the Roman fathers daughter swept 20 the front
IN an elegant brown dress of the latest modern
style, with ruching at tho sleeves, and her hair
uOHe up III Il LanBuk knot. Old ItIldfAS
the picture of 5th avenue masher. Ii was
very bewildering, and the audience was de-
lighted. Some didn't know what 10 make of IT,
Others thought il awfully funny, and waited
for something humorous to set them off in a
paroxysm Of laughter. But the play proceeded.
and every one on the stage was dreadfully in
earnest. Icilius the dude of the party. He
was strong and imprisoned in flowing Prince
Albert coat, tapping English trousers, and
collars and cuffs OF spotless white. Appius
Ctdudius, however, carried off the honors OF
the show. He had tremendous voice and vel
low pants, and his frequent references to the
Roman populace, which was wisely kept out OF
sight. brought down the house. IL that rabble
had made Its appearance in all its virginia.
Diamond alley glory, unconcealed by friendly
spears and shields. the chances are that the
undertaken might have experienced an upex.
pected boom in trade
Cdsus Cldad,us. Dtntdfas Numilorius Luli,s.
Marcus, Se'Uius, THUS and all the rest of the
boys were right on deck and doing business in
the old way, but there seemed TO be something
wrong. Some hadn't their Sunday clothes on
Others had forgotten to get shaved. They
looked travel-stained, footsore and tired. What
If their pants did bag at the kneesl Romans
weren't in the habit Of wearing store-clothes,
anyhow. But, on the whole the members OF
the cast deserve credit, and acquitted them
selves as well as could reasonably have been
expected. When the o'clock train from Bal
timore arrived the trunks were rushed TO the
theater, and the last three acts were played in
costumes.