The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-09-20

The theatres were gay last week as we'll for
the crowds that attended as for the attractions
afforded At Albaugh's Grand Opera House
fun ran riot with John T. Kelly in the laugh
able festival, 'U and I.n Not that Mr.
Kelly alone was the mirth-provoking feature of
the sketch, but that as the central figure he
was pre-eminently the favorite with the
audiences. There were others of the cast
much above the average in ability who added
largely to the general success of the per-
formance. Mr.. Dutch DAILY who assumed
the role of the German professor was very
good. but, excepting perhaps his speciality
with the accordeon, he is scarcely the equal OF
Gus Williams who has heretofore played the
part. Mr.. Charles F. Walton as the dude is
one of the lankcst pieces Of long drawn humor
ever seen on the comedy stage, and Mr..
Harry Kelly as Clubber, the policeman, was
very funny in his own peculiar way. Miss
Florrie West as Bdbette was graceful and
charming and filled the demands OF a rather
exactlng part with marked excellence. She
easily shared the honors with the star. The
other members of the cast and advertisement
were well selected.
At the National Theatre that really eminent
prestidigitateur, Hermann, drew excellent
houses throughout the week. But why
shouldn't he !? He is not the magician of the
days gone by whose tricks and illusions were
of that transparent quality that would enter
tain the children only. Hermann is
mystery at all times-to young and old. his
tricks are peculiarly his own and his own they
seem likely to remain. He Is without doubt
the greatest slight-of-hand performer ever
seen In this country, and his mechanical
illusions are scarcely less wonderful. His pro-
gramme last week comprised many mystic
novelties, among them 1.-THE New Black Art''
and "Strobeika'-the latter one Of the most
remarkable Of his many originalities seen here
from time to time. 1t would be difficult to
mention half of Herrnann's entertaining eI-
hibitions of magic. Intensely interesting in
themselves they are made the more so by the
pleasing individualities of the man himself
and his charming wife, Hermann is always
welcome in Washington.
The Academy Of Music came in for very
liberal share of the weeks patronage too. A
combination of variety, spectacular, and far
cical features slightly seasoned by an excuse
for plot. rolled into a mass with a wire
screen for a covering and called for the lack
of something better ga High Roller,' sue
ceeded in amusing those who turned out with
the determination of being amused. There
are no very great pretensions made for
"a High Roller and consequently no one
can be greatly disappointed in seeing 1t. What
1t is evidently intended to be 1t is in high de-,
gree, and what it is not is likewise pre-emi-
nentiy lacking But whatever may be said of
the piece itself, it gave the public the oppor-
tunity of seeing some of their old-time favor
ties in other roles than those demanding the
use of burnt cork and curly wigs. Barney
Fagan's metric motion was discernible
throughout the usual net work Of extrava-
gances, and the Only Leon was readily dis
tinguishable amid the innumberable dranatis
persona. Mr.. John G.. Gilbert who Joined
the company last week, caught a large share
of the popular favor by his topical songs and
burlesque sketches, and the other members of
the cast acquitted themselves as well as might
have been expected under the circumstances.