The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-03-11
AMUSEM ENTS.
"Joan OF Are At the National.


was one of the first out of France which
attempted to do Justice 10 her character.
The three greatest writers who have
touched this subject are Shakespeare, Vol
taire and Schiller Shakespeare has
merely worked up the vulgar prejudices
of his countrymen, and we see how deep
and strong the prejudice was, which could
distort such phenomenon AS this before
such an eye as his. But Noltarc's poem
is deeper disgrace to himself and to the
nation that could applaud 1t, and to the
unbelicving age in which II could be
written. Let us turn from this ribald
production to the noble monument which
Schiller has erected in his maid of
Orleans.
No one can forget the effect this poem
produces ON the mind when IL Is first read
Jonn was subject well suited to the lofty
character Of Schillcrs genius. Fault has
been found with II, that il departs too much
from the truth of history and that II is too
much idcai2cd. Scblcgel complains that
in the last scene he makes her die "a rosy
death" But after all just Attachments
this poem will always be cherished rs one
Of the most beautiful monuments TO a
most beautiful character.
Margaret Mathcr, supported by Mr.. Otis
Skinner and her own company, will pre-
sent her grand production OF Joan of
Arc at the New National Theatre COM
mcncing next Monday evening.
The advance sale of seats opens at the
box office tomorrow morning.
Bernhardt at AIbaugh's.
With the largest advance sales ever
known in this city credited to her and
under the patronage and following of the
very hest society in Washington Nine.
Sarah Bernhard will open her engagement
at the Opera House under the most favor
able auspices of any female star who has
ever appeared on the local stage. The
immense seating capacity Of the theatre
has been tested, and while there are a
number of seats that are yet to he taken,
the sale already represents something
over $4,000. This week of tragedy that
promises so much financially and
artistically will open with La Tosca,
melodramatic work by the fam
Gus Sardou, and which affords the
divine Sarah some of her most powerful
Camille" will be given, to be followed
Thursday by Fedora" and on Friday
night Sardous latest Partisan success,
CLEOPATRA The tragedienne has never
before appeared here in a repertoire which
was calculated to more aptly and power.
fully illustrate that genius which has held
the world spellbound. and its effect is al
ready evinced IN the sensational interest
manifested by the Washington public
The conduct of the advance sale on the
part of the management has resulted in
one of the most orderly sales ever seen in
this city. The taking of orders by mail
and telegraph proved to he the best sol,,-
ton of the problem Of preventing pub.
lie Inconvenience by the ordinary
methods. This engagement of the divine
Sa hh seems to have acted like a charm
upon the tired members of the Senate alid
Congress, for many orders have been re.
ccived from them, and all the legation:
have boxes and seats for nearly the entire
engagement. Regarding the repertoire tc
he given very little need be said. "L:
Tosca" and Fedora are among thu
strongest plays to be given, and NOR,
thoroughly embody tragedy than an,
| other works to be represented. In "Cleo
patra" Nine. Bernhardt will be seen IL
| one of her most recent Partisan successes
and the story of the beautiful Egyptian
queen in Sarlous play preserves all thu
witohefy and charm OF that somewhat
mythical character In all of thes,
representations the magnificent scener,
which has so long made tn
l representations at the Port ST
Martin celebrated will be USE
/ together with all of the extensive proper
ties and historical paraphernalia from tn
! same theatre. Nine Bernhardt herself i
grept connoiselir in art matters and he
spirit in all these plays has inspired tn
| artist almost to the verge of genius. Tn
company that will assist Nine. Bernhard
| in these representations is one OF the mos
competent ever brought to this country
including among the leading member
Mile Jane Mea and NJ. DuQucsne. Thi
| company of artists has received the mos
| complimentary attention from the pres
| of New York and Boston where they hav
| accumulated the success of Nine. Bern
hardi.
Lydia Thompson Mt the Academy.
EVENT. you don't laugh yourself, bu
enjoy the laughter Of every one aroun
you, you should go to see Lydia ThomT
son and her company of comedians at tn
Academy of Music this week. II is un
der the direction of Manager Rapley, an
! It is the best comedy company ever in tn
house.
Lights and Shadows" at Harris.
Lights and Shadows, play that Ia
delighted thousands of people, will be a
Harris Bijou Theatre next week, seats fo
the engagement being now on sale. TIL
plot has all the elements of the successful
melodrama, and is woven together By tn
author, Charles Gayler, in manner tina
gives story of intense interest
Much of the effectiveness Of the pla.
depends upon mechanical devices, an
the scenes in which an apartment unde
the dock is inundated by the opening o
a sluice. gate is. one. Of the most realisti
ever attempted 1t is a novelty In rcg
water effect that far surpasses the ord
nary tank scene.
Lights and Shadows" has been one G
the greatest of the many melodramatl
successes, and IL continues this season
be one of the most popular of the attra'
tons before the public. Seats are now o
sale at the box office.
Williams Company at Kernau's.
Harry w. Williams Own Speciality Con
pany, direct from his Academy of Musi,
Pittsburg, Pa, and brimfu of ne
features and rare novelties, will open q
Kernans Theatre next week. II include
noted artists of America and Europe, All
promises one OF the most refined and In
leresting entertainments of the season
Chief among its cards are the famou
Bros. Byrne, who have no equals as acre
bats and whose act, introducing their tric
coach, is as novel as il is amusing
Anothercard, appearing for the first tint
is Master Eddie, the youngest prestidig
tateur in the world and the most marvel
I oiiS VI an NolNtl- NOIhtlNs huiDi
others are Drummond and Stanley, Pale
and Cusick, Billy Carter, Lany All
Lizzie Smith, Dagman, Professor II.
Abbott, Garnella, Bros. Byrnes an
Helene, Austin and Matthew. Seats no
on sale.
The Irwin Bros show the attractio
this week. with its good cards Stirk an
Zeno, Ida Lillian Abrams, Alice Thoml
son and Kitty Wolfe, is giving good sati
faction. Ladies matinee tomorrow.
Marion Hariand to Lecture.
A lecture on the Life and Character
the Mother of Washington will be d
livcred by Miss Mary " Terhunc Mario
Harland) for the benefit of the Nation;
Mary Washington Memorial Associatio
at the residence of Mr.. j. w. Thompson
lIl0 street, on March l3, at 4 o'cloc
=. m.
The Arrest of Two Clever Swindier
Detectives Mahon and Horn yesterdt