National Republican., 1888-01-24
AMUSENIENTS. A
DESMAS THOMPSON AT THE NATIONAL.

DESMAS THOMPSON AT THE NATIONAL.
There is but one Denman Thompson in the
world, and he is the play. "The Old Home.
stead" is merely second volume of Joshua
Whitcomb's simple, original, and wholesome
characteristics. The second volume is in no
way inferior to the first. The humor Is just as
healthfHl, the pathos just rs unstrained, the
incidents Just as lfelike. Many of you may
be unfamiliar with New England farm
life. am not, and assure you that 1.-The Old
Homestead" Is as true a picture of rural life as
ever the mimic world contained. You ought
10 see 1t. The sentiment is as palatable and
nutritious as the freside stories we cherish
among the dearest of our memories, and the
honest, homely, rugged nature of Joshua
Whitcomb makes an impression the Oldest and
youngest can cherish with equal pleasure and
gratitude.
"Tbe Old Homestead" was presented at the
New National Theater last night in superb
manner. All that sLenic art could do to trans.
plant nature was done, and the rise of the
acknowledgements. Mr.. Thompson's Joshua
Whtcomb is an inimitable portrait of the best
and mEsl admlS6e qualities Of the rustic
Whitcomb is Thompson. No one can say
more. Mr., Beam as ICY Prime" embodies the
eccentrlcities of the man who points to
for proof Of his Otherwise aadelc"5sS'
yeracl!y Mr.. Waller GssIe as tyTS 4appy IHIa aSE
NJ see MaI-el ''iSiiS HGaiiox % as Horny iopEins'
80. Chauncy Olcott, as Frank Hopkins were
pGticeably good performances, as were those Of
Annie Thompson. as Rickerty Ann, and Miss
Marie Kimball. The singing was very su.
perior, and the entire performance did full
has enjoyed in New York. Mr., Thompson
was recalled after each act by the large audi.
ence present. Repetition leyery night and at a
matinee on Saturday.
J. X. EMMET AT ALBArGH's.
Emmett with his sweet voice and still
sweeter smile, rollicked and sung and danced
through Fritz" last night, to the unmistak.
able delight of large audience. He is older
in appearance. but not otherwise, His voice
is as Gnelodious and sympathetic as ever, aud
lcould detect none of the angles of age in his
light and agile movements. Truly, Emmet is
actor, but he is as entertaining az any being
present rds last ngh bSeG to
appointment. The big, round face beamcd
as merrlly as of yore,, the pearly teeth are as
beautiful as ever, and the good -natured actor
ooddled his noble dog, romped with the chill.
dren, sung themito sleep, and now and then
tripped few steps of those dances many have
initiated, but none have equaled
,ons OF suCS wS msn as Em@d
when he studies to infuse into his stage busi-
ness that pure and simple sentiment which is
ad Ifad s fryz ~ the G@cs r. by ahS as
Is all that Emmet can make of It,
which Is much. His company Is generally
pretty bad, Every member seems to feel that
he Is merelya comma or semicolon in the respi-
ration OF the central figure, who might so on
hour after hour, and no one in the audience
would even wonder when somebody else was
to appear. Every night this week and one
enthusiastically.
'CHIp o'.TIlE OLD BLOCK" AT IARRIs's.
"a Chip o. the Old Block" as presented at
Harris Bilog, Theater, with Messrs, I l. Scot
modorc and the Jockey, is an example OF what
clever comedians can accomplish with the as
sistancc OF Il versatile company and an anus
ing play.
Mr.. Scott as the old sailor was as breezy aud
seamanlike as an occupant Of Il man.0f-war.
The Jack lightoot of Harry Mills was q
very neat bit or light comedy, and above the
work usually seen in n larce.comedy. Miss
Ada Melroso made delightful little rlXey,
and in the scenes where she had an oppOr-
| tunty to display emotion was excellent. The
musical numbers rendered by MCssrS Scott
and Mills assisted by Miss Melrnsc, were not
only original, but very catchy, and the bur.
leSque on "ROmeO aud Julict' in the second
act of the comedy was an agreeable bit of re-
pGTtee.
Two performances daily. The same bill
throughout the week.
KERNAS's THEATER.
Mr. william Madden's Comedy COMPANY
opened a weeks engagement ut this house 10
large audiences on yesterday, presenting Mr..
Madden's original comedy, Round New
York" The play Is one Of exciting interest
and no small amount of the attraction cen ;
teTs upon Mr, Jack Dempsey the pugilist, who
takes Characteristic part. Matinee aud even
lhH PERFORMANCES BILLY FORD.