The Washington critic., 1888-09-25
AT THE THEATRES.
Tho Nntionnl-."Tno Two slsters. /"

INC Two NlSieTss'
A large audience at the National last
night applaudcd to the echo the good
points in Denman Thompson and George
Rogerss play, "Thc Two Sisters" nor
did the fact that the play is draggy in
places, slow of action and full of speech,
seem to make any great difference. Tint
was largely due to the staging of the
piece and the very excellent manner in
which IL was handled by every member
of the cast. 1t is the usual story of love
and temptation with stream of sun
shine and malaria running through IT,
and the sunshine finally coming out
ahead. Mr.. Mordaunt was very good
Hiram Pepper, little like Joshua Whit
comb: Miss McrriclS and Miss White as
the sisters were we'll adapted for their
roles, and Miss Whites lullaby song had
an encore; Bolivar, the fat master
porter was immense; Mr.. Gray's Ln
Flannene, was well done and his hunting
stories caught the house. incidentally,
the Tyrolese quartcttc was only fair,
and the colorcd minstrel Horace Mum
row was recalled half n dozen or more
times. Again tonight and Wednesday
and Saturday matinees
Albaugh's-ssThe Ruling Passion"
That melo-drama is in the estimation of the
public thoroughly acceptable form OF amuse-
ment was demonstrated by the warm reception
that greeted the performance at Albaugh's
last night. The play possesses all the thrilling
characteristics that are expected in a melo-
drama. The plot is carefully worked up ana
retained the attention and interest OF the
audience throughout the evening The scenery
is very handsome and a number OF novel
and pleasing mechanical effects are intro
duced The rescue Of the heroine from q
balloon in mid-ocean is depicted IN manner
that brought the house to high pitch OF en-
thusiasn.
The leading roles Of the cast are enacted In q
very commendable manner. The plot and the
scenic effects are, however, the strongholds OF
the performance.
The Biiou-"A Cold Day"
There was big, good natured, well pleased
audience at Harris Bijou Theatre last night
to witness the initial performance here of the
successful absurdity "a Cold Day; or, the
Laplanders.n This company is good one
and the big audience didn't stop laughing
until after 1t got home and to bed. John w.
Ransome and Perkins and Fisher who played
Jacob Blow and Able Effort, the two Long
Branch hotel keepers, were very funny boti
on land and aboard ship, and despite MIR
Ransomes unfortunate hoarseness his topica
song made great hit. Dan Packard's Cap
tain Kid and Fred G. Palmers Taken, the
Photographer, were cleverly done, and Miss
Zoe Prouty made boarding school miss that
was thoroughly charming. Miss Rita Stan
ford as Able Efforts wife, Nancy, was per
fection in her way, and Miss Annetta Ielua's
singing of Spanish, French and German song
was very effective. These three clever ac
tresses all sang and danced in way that en-
tirely captivated the audience, and insured
good business for Harris cosey house all th
week. The minor characters are in compe
tent hands and the play is one of the charm
ingly plotless kind that please everyone an'
are never tresome. 1t will run through tn
week with matinees this afternoon, Thursda
and Saturday.