The critic., 1890-12-30
AMUSEMENTS.
Agnes Huntington as Paul Jones.
4 .,,,, l., go, ,,t;., ;,1,,l

Here is IN artist. indeed.
Here YOU have that rarcst of combina-
tions, dramatic and lyric talent, reinforced
by II superb stage personality, and voice
at once rich. mellow, full and sympa-
thetic.
After seeing this gifted artist in her fas
cinating and powerful performance of
Paul Jones'" the celebrated nautical hero,
one is not surprised at the phenomenal
run of 346 consecutive nights in London
this opera had.
Miss Huntington has created and CON
| tributcd to the comic opera a role distinct,
original and charming She looks like an
Apollo, such is the charm of her presence,
noble bearing and graceful action.
We cannot recall any woman connected
with the performance of comic opera who
is any way comparable to her in all of the
elements that 20 to make up a true artist.
Beside her, the Lillian Russells, Manoas
and the people the American public has
been Surfeited with, are tame, wooden and
conventional. They none of them have
the fire, the enthusiasm and appreciation
| of art of Miss Huntington. She Is to comic
| opera what Modjeska is to the drama
equally finished, polished and strong.
Miss Huntington raises the standard of
comic opera, to where 1t is worthy of
| praise, consideration and criticism. She
| has achieved as Pdm Jones distinction
| not second to that of Schneider as The
| Grand duchess, while her beauty of face
and figure and spirited acting make her
an infinitely more irresistible presence
than the brilliant, but, at times, coarse
| Schneider
The tremendous success of Miss Hunt
| ington before critical London audiences
has been fairly won and cannot be at
tributcd to any of the meritriCious char
actcristics peculiar to some singers. Her
| success is due entirely to legitimate
causes. Neither her mere beauty nor her
| physique would have kept her long on
the top wave Of public, and particularly
English popularity, without her. lovely
| voice, rich in culture, feeling and regis
stands out like a star even in the magnili-
cence and sllmptuousness OF the costumes
and scenery of the opera, and without her
paul Jones" would instantly sink to
the level Of "Erminie," with Francis
Wilson out of it, and the waxwork OK
hibtion afforded by the rest of the cast
in full bloom and riot.
paul Jones'" as presented last night at
Lincoln Hall by Miss lluntingtons adj
mirablc company, was in every way cfiec-
tive and artistic. The east is strong, and
each character was intrusted to good
hands. The scenery, costumes, and ballet
were fully up to anything of the kind in
| New York. The music is extremely pretty,
catching, and original. II has all the
light, dainty touches of the modern French
school of comic opera. Here is n senslt
Gus, dreamy waltz movement in chorus
| there bright bit Of dance music, full
of 20 and beauty. There can hardly be
said to be musical chestnut among the
many charming melodies in it. There ar,
several of Miss Huntingdon songs in par
ticular that are wonderfully tender and
| fatghinn atN1 xksl.fnh aDn ginns Nxfifh m ~
vellous feeling and taste.
With such u support as those capita
artists--Mr. Hallen Mostynas BouiilaJaisse
Mr.. Albert James as 81 Pierre, Miss Fanny
Wentworth as Chopiaettc, Miss Margurt,
Van Breydel as YpOnHe and Mr.. Eric
Thonc as Doa Trocadero--gaye Mis-
Huntington in the title role the oaseiaJi
was excellent and the mise en- scene cx
tremely effective.
The audience on first night is alway
a significant one. Last night was
specially brilliant example of this Th,
house was Il good one, and the most dis
tinguished members of the Diplomatic
official and social life of Washington wer
| present The English Russian, Turkish
Ministers and others We're present am
frequently testified their approval, an,
the entire audience gave Miss Huntington
Il reception as hearty and enthusiastic as
was appreciatiyc 1t was triumph AM
an ovation combined.
"The City Directory" at Aibaugh's.
\ large proportion of the population O
Washington seemed 10 be moved by
com mon impulse to consult "The Cit
Directory last evening and to find
large amount of diversion between II
pages. a number of new names hay
been added to the Directory" since it
last appearance, TO say nothing of mucl
, other supplementary matter of undoubte,
interest, and, ON the whole, it is, if pos
sible, more entertaining brochure thai
on It's first presentation 10 the public. II
the main, however II is the same gena
and amusing variety show, ingeni0usll
t suspended on a somewhat slender, not 4
/ say impercepHble, thread of plot and In
, cident, and as such it very successful,
| fulfis its rdisoR dotro in the extraction o
mammoth and momenly laughter from
/ the audience The singing, dancing
burIesquo rotations and limitations still
follow each tOher with breathless rapidity
Q and are nearly all funny enoug
/ 10 furnish subjects for the undertaken.
, is difficult TO award distinction among =
. many meritorioils claimants of the clal
, Of Smith, but perhaps the Joha SmNi
! Stage Aai,0ger, Of Mr.. William Collier, Oh