The critic., 1891-03-24
AMusEMENTs.
" Mrs. wiikinson's widows" at the
National.

have produced more amusing comedies |
than that of "Mr. Wilknson's Widows"
but II would have proved hard task to |
so have convinced any of the large au-
dience that witnessed its initial produc- |
ton at the National Theatre last night. II |
is q most amusing play, overIiowing with |
sparkling and unremittent humor, full of |
ludicrous situations, and yet withal pre-
senting types Of character that read
moral lesson to the eauditors. It's comedy
of higher character, perhaps, than Gil
lette has previously attempted; but the |
strong element toward farcical situations |
stamps 1t as a thoroughly Gilletian adap- |
tation.
The plot is a network of complications,
based on the peccadilloes of Mr.. Wilkin-
son, who is deceased when the action of |
the play opens. He married two women |
and arranged the records so that II would |
appear that they had been married at pre-
cisely the same time, even to the minute. |
His widows marry, one Mrs. Wilkinson |
becoming lNrs. Itrcivol Perrin and the |
other Ms. Henry n. Dickeyson Both fam
lilies engage rooms IN the same apartment
house, and the result of the confusion of |
identities is a formidable though flimsy |
tissue of domestic suspicious that threat |
ems to wreck the peace Of both house
holds.
The cast Is an excellent one. and IT |
seems almost superuous to single out |
any one member for praise above his or
her colleagues. In the role of Ie,ciyai
Perrin, Mr.. Joseph Holland gave an inim-
table Characterization of the jealous hus-
band while Mrs. Dion Bouccicaut sus-
tained the role-of the typical Mrs. Perrin.
One of the most delightful pieces of COM
edy work was that given by Mr.. Thomas
Burns IN the personation Of Major 2: Fer
guson Msl- Mallory. Miss Maud White in
the role of Susanna played an important
part in the piece, and proved herself an
amiable and charming actress. Every
night and Wednesday and Saturday mat
inees.
The "Oid Homestead" at Aibaugh's. |
'i,The Old Homestead" drama that
has proved one of the most successful of
recent years, holds the boards at AL
baugh's this week. II Is an illustrative
story of county life that is 50 natural that
childhood in rural districts many tender
recolections. II is good story, with a
healthy moral tone, and told III such a
simple and unaffected manner as to be
all the more pleasing.
The leading role, Joshua IVhitconib, is
taken by Mr. Archie Boyd. The char
acter is well taken, and Mr.. Boyd makes |
an excellent imitator of Denman Thomp-
son. The remainder of the cast is good.
The Iunt Matilda OF Miss Henrietta Irving
was typical representation of the sweet.
faced, kind-hearted, motherly women we
all associate with childhood's days, and
who, to many of us, is merely dream of
the past. Every night and Wednesday !
and Saturday inatfaees, -"
"The Scouts Daughter" at Harris.
The thrilling incidents and startling
episodes, the hair-breadth escapes and
wonderful adventures of "The Scouts
Daughter" were followed with unabated
interest from the rise of the curtain to its
fall by a large audience. at the Bijou last
night. AS its name indicates, the play is
q story of the widest possible Western
life. The scenes are laid in the noun
tains of Wyoming, the palaces of the
wealthy in Frisco and the frontier store
in Montana. There is just enough gun
powder and bloodshed TO make the play
exhilarating.
The handsome, dashing soubrette, Pau
line Parker made 4 decided hit in the
title role. She is charming singer,
captivating dancer and an expert per-
former on the banjo. Despite the gen.
eral wild and sensational character of
the incidents and characters introduced,
there are several scenes in which broad
comedy forms a leading part. The Rich
ardson Brothers are pair of knock
about comedians, who give a most laugh
able variety entertainment. The COM
pany supporting Miss Parker is a strong
one, and its members fully able to sustain
the parts in which they are cast. Harry
II. Minnick, as the heroic scout and per-
willy william, are both worthy Of praise
for the dramatic ability which they dis
play. The vicissitudes of ''The Scouts
Daughter" will continue to entertain the
patrons Of the Bijou for a week, and no
doubt she willprove a leading attraction
at that popular house.
Levy at Lincoln Music Hall.
Jules Levy the great cornetist and his
great American band will give two grand
Wednesday, April /. He will be assisted
by Mile. Stella Costa, soprano; Mile
Jacobina Wichman; contralto; Signor
Barron Berthald, tenor; Signor Leon Sab
batelli, barytone,
yaidis Sisters at kernan's.
The Vaidis Sisters Refined Vaudeville
opened a weeks engagement at Kernan's
Theatre last night in the presence of an
audience that crowded the house, and
gramme with frequent rounds of APP
plause. The company il always good
drawing card, but il has been materially
strengthened since its last appearance in
Washington, and now ranks among the
best on the road. ''ln Passing the Toll
Odte ~ tne tltle Oh all amusing llJtic
sketch given by Will Petrie and Maggie
Elsie.
AS rapid transformation dancer
Blanche Boyer has but few equals. Her
costumes are all novel and in good taste,
her highland makeup being specially at
tractive.
Braatz Brothers showed marvellous
skill as acrobats and balancers. Many of
their feats have never been presented here
before and they were repeatedly recalled
and each time introduced new and pleas
ing features. The Vaidis Sisters were
greeted with applause when they appeared
ON the traneze. They introduced their
new rotary trape2one and made decided
hit. Miss Lizzie Vaidis perilous leap from
the dome of the auditorium amazed every
one. Eddie Giguere showed himself to be
phenomenal vocalist, singing soprano,
bass and tenor with equal facility. Among
the other attractive features was Fred.
Abbott Donovan and Albright, Maritions
and Delavoy and Sam Dearin. A comedy
entitled "Giving Pat a Picnic" formed
the after-piece of decidedly mertorious
performance.
a.,