Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-02
ADJUSTMENTS.

ALBAUGHs OPERA HousE.-The eve fond Of
scenic splendor will find in the production OF
antony and Cleopatra" at Albaugh's Opera
House feast that is not often spread even in
these DAYS of stage gorgeousness. Massive ex-
teriors of old Roman and Egyptian palaces. in
teriors oppressive in their rlch ornateness the
CLEAN Of Jewels and the sheen of rich stuffs re-
produce for the eye the prodigal magnihcenoe
with which the mighty gamblers Of the turbu-
lent era of the play surrounded themselves ON
every detail of the setting care and money seem
TO have been expended without STINT and the
result is series of scenes tina; have rarely been
eNcelled in pictorial richness and effectiveness
But when this has been said little more re-
mains TO say. The tragedy presents
many difficulties 10 effective acting
Its scenes shift so frequently that the
continuity Of interest Is necessarily
disrupted and a cumulative gathering of
impetus ss the story develops Is most difficult
TO attain. Other peculiarities Of the tragedy,
Vell-known 10 Shakespearan students. initiate
against Its success as an acting play and the
hands 20 which the leading parts were last
night committed were not strong nor expert
enough to atone for any of these shortcomings,
Mrs. Potter acts as Amelie Rives writes" was
the terse criticism of an experienced theater-
goer, and this contains much of the truth of
the matter. Mrs. Potter in Cleopatra ESSAYS n
part given over to unrelieyed animalism per-
haps more completely than any other Shakes
peare has created. Mrs Potter of this character
understands apparently nothing but the worst
phases, and these she undertakes TO represent
with entirely inadequate physical powers and
with scarcely CLEAN Of the saving sentiment
or poetic glamour which even such a woman as
Cleopatra may be supposed 20 throw around
her passion. Her Cleopatra is without dignity
repose. or reserve, and struts about the stage
without grace or effectiveness. or flaunts her
wanton passion before the world with the ef-
froutery OF a maudlin heather. Mrs. Potter
has IN no wise improved her elocution since she
was here before. Her delivery is still painfully
monotonous IN repose and hysterical in passion
Mr.. Bellows Antony shows earnest effort at in
teiigent and consistent treatment. hut this
actors schooling has quite untitled him for
classic roles. His death scene was the most
enectlve work OF the evening. Mr.. Sidney
Bowkett. in the scene with -lHtoHy before the
tragedy. did also some highly commendable
work. Miss Lizzie Hudson as Chairman was
pleasantly natural. The EHobdrIHs of Harry
Edwards and the Octdri1ls of Mr.. Robertson
should also be mentioned as meritorious im-
presentations.
New NATIONAL THEATER.-If any one had an
nounced dramatiZation of the Westminster
Catechlsm ii would hardly have excited greater
surprise than the statement that Mrs Wards
theological essay Robert Elsmere" had been
arranged for the stage. And yet Mr. Gillette
has succeeded in arranging a play that is in
teresting and that presents many striking
dramatic situations. In doing this a good
many liberties have been taken with the
Characters and text The company that pre-
sented the play is a good one. The audience
was quite enthusiastic at times and at the close
of the third act there was a double call before
the curtain. Mr.. and Mrs. Russell Harrison,
Mrs. Mckee, ex-senator and Mrs Saunders
occupied box and seemed to greatly enjoy the
play.
The STEVENS PIANO RECITAL-The piano
recital by Miss Neatly Stevens takes place at
congregational church this evening. and as the
Interest aroused in this young pianist has been
extensive, the audience will probably be large
Miss Mae Rogers will render vocal selections
HARRIS BIJoU THEATER.-"Hoodman Blind"
Is a melodrama which contains all the ele-
ments that appeal to the large class who are
fond of this species of drama Ii was fairly
well given at this house last night bv a COM
pany which numbers among its members Ham,
ilton Harris. Elmer Grandin. Thomas Fitzger-
aid, Eva Mountford, Agnes Roselle and Agnes
Mayberry. The audience was large and the
applause generous.
hERNAN's THEATER.-A very good entertain
ment OF Its class is that given by Lilly GAYS
company at kernan's tins week There are
many good looking young women in the troupe
and they put a heartiness into their work UNI
usual ON the vaudeville stage. The Ohio WAS
good, Hilton, the contortionist being especially
successful.
GLOBE THEATER.-Healy and Saunders and
sheridan and Flynn are notably good features
OF the Ohio at the Globe this week All the acts
We're well received by the audience last night.
GEoRGETowN AMATEUR ORCHESTRA The
| thlrty-trst public rehearsal of the Georgetown
| amateur orchestra will take place at Congre-
| gatIonal church on Monday evening, April ).