The Washington critic., 1888-04-17
ANIUsENIENTs.
NIodjeska rs "Beatrice."

Shakspeare's pretty comedy, "Much
Ado About Nothing" with ModicslIa as
Beatrice and Mr.. Eben Plympton as Bepc.
tjct, was the attraction at Albaugfs last
night, and good audience witnessed the
performanc, and enjoyed IL, as one al
ways does anything which Modjeska pre-
sents. Her Beatrice is a charming char
acter of great naturalness, in which the
lights and shadows are combined TO an
almost perfect result It is music in
action, n harmony of movement fugue
OF sunshine and cloud. And Mr.. Eben
Plympton's Bepedick was fitting accom-
paniment to this fascinating Beatrice, and
MIR. Plympton could scarcely ask higher
compliment The other characters in the
cast were well taken, and the Dogbeuy of
Mr.. w. +. Owen was considerably more.
IL out-Dogberried Dogberry IL caught
the audience,with n,whirl, and it gave Mr..
owen n reputation rs an actor which
should ilatter him nightly. The play
was staged and costumed admirably, and
the entire effect was eminently pleasing.
Tonight Measure for Measure"
The National-"The Corsair."
"The Corsair" captured, or rather cap
tivated, n housefull of people at the
National last night. The performance is
n Kaleidoscope series ofhandsome group
ings and beautiful stage pictures. A large
company is kept on the stage the greater
portion of the time, and as in the case of
the thrce.ringed circus, If you don't see
what you like in one place you are pretty
sure TO find IL somewhere else. Pretty
girls in charming costumes are present in
bewilderingabundance and ndovcrshndowed
even the splendors of he scenery. Wit
ticisms- some new and some old. but all
bright-arc scattered with prodigal pro-
iuscness.
But the performance is a brilliant spec
tacular effort rather than an uproarious
burlesque. The music is appropriate and
pretty, some Of the numbers being rem
dercd in manner that eicited warm ap-
plause Among the scenic effects is a
prismntic fountain of real water, which
reflects all the colors of the rainbow.
The famous dancing hcifer of Evan
geline' has found successor in the
mule fling. A very-well made-up dom
key does q dance, which is grotesque be-
cause of its very gracefulness. The lead
ing members OF the company, including
Miss Louise Montague, Miss Anne Sum
merville, Miss Leta Blow Miss Rose Cook,
and Mcssrs. Frank David, George Schiller,
and John Sparks, are, without exception,
equal to all that is required of them.
Kernan's-London Speciality Company.
Manager Kernan's cosy theatre has
been having a run of frst.class variety
attractions, and the London Speciality
Company proves to be no exception to
the rule he has established The pro-
gramme is brim full Of good things, and
the audiences yesterday were liberal in
showing their approval. Thursday, FRI
| day, and Saturday evenings, and two
matinees, the well-known 1istic artists,
Dominlck McCaffrey and Frank Hearld,
will give three-round glove contest.
This will be one of the finest exhibitions
of the kind seen in Washington.
The Bijou-Myra Goodwin.
The engaging little soubrette, Myra
Goodwin, appeared to good house at the
Bbou last night in the farcical comedy
Philopene. She sang and danced in a
manner that won the unqualified ap-
proyal of the audience. The play is
bright and pleasing, and the company
contains some exceptionally gocl per-
formers.