The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-17
ADJUSTMENTS.

"Prince and Pauper" at the National.
1.-The Prince and the Pauper," one Of
the most talked about of the successes of
the past two seasons, will be the attraction
at the National Theatre, beginning Mon
day. 1t is dramatization by Mrs. Abby
Sage Richardson of Mark Twain's celebra
ted story of that name. Originally pro-
duced in Philadelphia, 1t found favor at
once, and run four weeks in that city.
This was followed by six weeks run at
the Broadway Theatre, New York, after
which brilliant engagement of four
weeks in Chicago. In all these places it
returned for two or more weeks this
present season to excellent business. One
of the principal features of the production
is the acting of little Elsie Leslie, child
who is described by the critics as unap-
proachable in the artistic value of her
work. She has never been here before.
She was the original Little Lord Fauntie-
roy in Mrs. Burnett's famous production
that pretty play undoubtedly owes the
greater portion Of its prosperity to the first
impersonator of the juvenile lord. Elsie
Leslie has known no system Of coaching"
in either elOcution or acting, and conse-
quently shows no traces of it. She pos
sesses spontaneity, delicacy and finish
which most actresses attain only after
years of arduous labor. She will be sur
rounded by an excellent company, such
rs Manager Daniel Frohman always Sc
lects for all his organizations, and great
attention has been paid to having every
dress worn upon the stage strictly accurate
as to the period intended to be represented.
Mr.. w. III. Day of New York, who de-
| signed them, is great authority upon
costumes. and no expense was spared in
| having the costumers follow his orders i'm
| plicitly. The result is a most interesting
| study of the period of King Henry VIII.
For the benefit Of those not familiar
| with Mark Twain's story upon which the
| play is founded, the following sketch of
| the plot is given: Tom Canty is the son of
very poor parents living in the slums of
| London during the latter part of the reign
of Henry VII. Owing to the harsh treat
ment of his father, who is thief, he runs
away from home, and his wanderngs
bring him to the palace gate. There he
meets the young Prince Edward. These
boys are very similar in appearance and
size and Tom has had the advantage of
were SO much alike that but for their
clothes they could hardly be told apart.
The Prince invii Tom to his room and
there, in a spirit of fun, exchanges clothes
with him. As soon as the exchange is
effected and the Prince makes his appear
|
taken for the Pauper and forcibly driven
from the palace Tom, the Pauper, dressed
in the beautiful clothes of the Prince, is
compelled to remain behind and assume
the affairs of State, consequent upon the
sudden death Of the king, Then follow tho
adventures of the Prince as the Pauper
and the Pauper as the Prince, and the dit
fculties they have each trying to establish
his own proper identity. No one will he
lieve either of them, and they have many
serious and humorous adventures
Though the Prince, in the garb of th'
Pauper, has rather a sore time of ii, h
manages ultimately 10 get back 20 thu
palace and prove his identity, and Ton
Canty, who has occupied the thron
meanwhile gladly surrenders il to him
Little, Elsie Leslie plays both the Prime
and the Pauper, and is said TO make
marked difference in the two impersona
tions worthy Of an actress of years OF eX
perience. The usual matinees will b.
given Wednesday and Saturday.
"All tho Comforts of Home" at Al
baugh's,
the latest contribution TO the stage by th
clever and industrious William Gillette
, will be presented next week under Tn
! direction of Mr. Charles Frohman, Gil
lette calls II companion play to the eve
popular Private Secretary" As in tn
case, he obtained the groundwork of 9Th
/ Comforts of Home from the German
and Carl Lauf's "Ein Toller Einfall' Is th
parent OF the farce, which, in its Englis
dress, leavened and frightened by Amer
can humor, is now in fashionable vogu
: There is ashadowy plot to the play--ju
enough 10 give intelligent conference 10 tf