Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-06
ADJUSTMENTS.

set farclcnl comedy by John Douglass OF Lon
don, was the play at Albaugh's last night. and
this wat it's first presentation in Washington.
lnere WAS line audience in attendance, the
consensus Of whose opinion was that while
the play was funny there was plot or compli-
cation of complications in it, the complete
laughing possibilities of which had not been
fully developed A play in which tine action
revolves about a widow of twenty-five, with a
stepson OF fortyfve. who calls her mother,
and young widower of thirty, with step
laughter Of forty. who calls him Papa, can't
help but be very funny. and ''Darlington's
Widow Ia funny. but 1t IL just a little too
English, you know, for the American sense OF
humor. The interest is continuous, however.
and al audience watches it closely to the end.
Oh the players themselves much can be said in
praise, and each does his part great small,
to its full deserts. Miss Huntington is hand
some Amy, Miss Davis pretty Florence.
Miss Mortimer a ridiculous Feticae and Miss
thompson a tragic B,'inJet. The men are up
to the requirements. but they are not SO pretty
as the women, which is hardly to be expected.
''Darlingtons Widow" will no doubt do good
weeks business, and it deserves to. but IL it
were Americanized say by Gillette il would
DC a bowling success and repeat Agnin to-
night.
NATIONAL THEATER.-Henry Arthur Jones
mas written no stronger play than that Of 1.-The
Middlemsn," in which the English actor. Mr..
+. 5. Willard, made his first appearance before
Washing ION audience last night. 1t was u
critical gathering that filed the National
Theater, for both play and principal actor
were new to this city. The play was found to
be full of human interest. ingenious in con-
struction and simple blu. eloquent in diction.
The story is told directly and effectively by the
characters. and though the pottery furnace
scene is startling bit of realistic work it is
subordinate TO the earnest and persistent work
OF the inventor, Cyrus BLe1,hl,d,7i, who is the
central figure of the play. This is the charac
ter that MIR. Willard assumes, and his imper-
sonatiOn is marked by a sincerity and q viril-
ity not often witnessed. All through the play
Mr.. Willard excited the greatest enthusiasm in
his audience, and his entire work proved him
one of the most intelligent, sincere, powerful
and able actors that England has sent to this
country. His company is an excellent one. all
members fulfilling the requirements of the sew
erai parts. Miss Marie Burroughs, in the diff
cult role of Mary, fully sustained her we'll
earned reputation rs a competent and pains
taking artist, and special mention should be
made of the excellent work of Miss Zefe Ill
bury as Nancy and Messrs. Royce Carlton as
John Ctandt1'; Fred. Tyler, Jesse Pegg; Harry
Cane. Bdty Todd, and Louis Massen, Capt.
Chandler
ACADEMY OF MUsIc.--Mr. Frederick Paulding
presented THE Struggle of Life last night to
an audience of fair dimensions at the Academy
OF Music. In this play the hero, defrauded Of
his rights. becomes an outcast from society,
goes away, makes fortune and comes back TO
claim his rights and the girl VINO has been
faithful through all. But the main attraction
is the scenery. In the fourth act the scenic
achievement OF the piece is presented. 1t is a
view of the river front and shipping during
heavy storm and TIE great sewer of the city.
The stage Is divided horizontally. The rescue
Of the hero from the water, to which plot has
| consigned him, brings down a demonstration
of unbounded enthusiasm. OF MIR. Paulding's
acting much may he said in sincere praise.
He makes a virile hero and has a good Company
| to assist his efforts and make his strong points
| stronger. Miss Maggie Dean as BLGzes is ex-
actly what soubrette on the modern stage
should be-vlyacious and youthful, without an
! effort a: too much periness. Mrs. Charles Pc
| tiers as MOttie Nc w was genial and attractive
| old lady, ard Guy Lindaley gave a creditable
| imp ersOnation OF a society darling who has not
the courage to refrain from temptation TO vii
| lainy. Miss Adelaide Fitz Allen and Miss Maud
E. Peters also are important and efficient menu
beers of the cast.
HAEIIs BIJoU THEATER.-The antics Of
"Peck's Bad Boy kept large audience con-
vulsed with laughter at Harris Uheater last
night. The play has greatly improved since it
Was here last ,car. A new second act has been
introduced, bringing forward new character
IN -Nrs. D!Gy. the poiicemans spouse. and new
music anu high-clgss specially wori; add greatly
to TIE evenings enjoyment. The company is
good and well cast with view to their adapta-
b.Ety, the WORK of Messrs. Barry AMI Bannon
and the Cohan family being deserving of spe-
cial mention. The bad boy himself as de-
picted by Master xGeorgie Conan, was quite
! satisfactory and full OF fun and kept the au-
dience convulsed with his antics Again to-
night
kERNAN's LYOEUM THEATER.-James ~ Ward
tine veteran actor, surrounded with company
OF considerable merit prcsented to thu patrons
of hernan's Lyceum Theater last night that
money -making success, Through by Day
hight" The large audience present was very
enthusiastic. The play belongs to that class
known as comedy-dralna and 10 strong in con-
struction, bright in dialogue and startling in
| its situations. The serious ana comic are well
| blended and one loses the thread upon which
the plot rests during the specialties only to
pick it up again afterward with renewed inter-
est. Considerable attention has been paid TO
| the mounting OF the play and the several
| scenes were excellent representations of we'll
known quarters in tho great metropolis.
| couple of httle tots aged respectively six and
eight contribute several speclalties in u man
ner that would do credit to older professionals
Again tonight.
II uy,.tl< usu.-