Morning journal and courier., 1893-09-22
entertainments.
HvnnnvN-

a Pnchea Aouso at tuo ny poIlou last
evening greeted Rhea in her new play,
''The Queen of Sbeka." Rhes is so well
known here that her appearance last even
ing was crested with vigorous applause.
| There has been decided Improvement in
| her pronunciation of the English language
| since her last appearance in this city.
Rhea's acting was admirable, as 1t always
is Shs did much to keep up-the interest
| in two long love scenes, which without SO
interesting personality must have been
dreary indeed. W. 8. Hart shows that he
| is growing with experience. There is a
| greater ripsness and finish to his work,
| and his fine voice is used with much judg-
ment. King Solomon was represented by
John Fay Palmer, who could we'll bs given
larger space in the play. He played the
part with dignity and grace which left
nothing to be desired. Joseph O'Meara,
a young actor, gave an intelligent and
| pleasing Interpretation of the part of
Jabez, Prince OF Ophir, and Edwin Phil
lips made fine impression as Zebolm, the
kings scribe. Miss Edith Meek was Bal
kis, and che acquitted herself we'll in some
scenes that called for rather strong emo.
tional acting. Five young women, Miss
Minnie Bowen, Miss Anne Fording, Miss
Fanny Hunt, Miss Alice MCGEE and Miss
! Marie Coolidge gave pretty and appro-
| pirate dscne. The scenery Is some of the
| finest that has ever been seen here. The
first scene is laid in the palace of Solomon,
in which the stage settings were something
| gorgeous. The second scene represents a
terrace overlooking Jerusalem and is a
masterpiece of art. The other two scenes
| ranraeanf foY~,h nd
| of Solomon's palace, which were both ex-
cellent. There is much in the play to sd-
mire and 1t is safe to say that if Rhea
should return this season another crowded
house will greet her.
The new spectacular comic opera "Afri-
| Ca" in which George Thatcher and his
| operate extravaganza company are appear
| ing this season, will open a two nights'
engagement o-night. The plot of the play
ia as follows: A mildly idiotic Harvard
| graduate is possessed of desire to follow
the footsteps of Stanley in exploring the
wilds of Africa. To cure him of this
dementia his father plays practical joke
by sending him to an island near New
York. which he has had transformed into
| an imitation Africa, by the aid of large
| number of his sons friends, comprising
the entire company. The result is foregone
and when he has finally barely escaped be-
ing broiled by quasi csnnibals, the son ia
| ready to return home. This idea has been
| burlesqued to the extreme and there is just
enough of it worked into the numerous
| musical, terpsiohorean, spectacular and
variety features to hold them together.
The piece has been splendidly and effec-
lively staged, the music is good and the
company headed by the prime mover of it
all is large enough to fill the stage when
necessary for the choruses. The principal
roles are in the hands of competent people
and the costuming shows much expense as
we'll as eccentricity and originality.
Sale of seats now open.
"Across the Potomac" will be presented
on Friday and Saturday, September 30
and 80.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
A grand revival of 1.-THE Romany Rye"
was seen last night. The play was pre-
sented By full company and with large
equipment of new scenery. The perfor-
nance on the whole was very satisfac-
tory. The company is composed of cspa-
BILE people who work untiringly to give
satisfaction, and their efforts meet with
unusual success, "Ths Romany Rye" Is
one of the few melodrsmas teeming with
incident and oveiffowing with characters.
In word, the characters appear to make
the action. The action does not have the
appearance of being manufactured for the
purpose of introducing few men and wo-
men. The cast ia q good one throughout.
Frank Losse and Mas Charlotte Ray
have the principal parts, those of
Jack Herne and Gertie Heckett, and their
work is consistently vigorous. Marion
Elmore as Bos Knibett and ]. Hay Casser
as Philip Royston are also satisfactory
workers, and the others make much Of |
their opportunities. 1t will be presented |
ssain this evening and tomorrow after |
noon and evening.
One of the highest salaried vaudeville |
organization in existence Is the New York |
Vaudeville Stars direct from New York |
city, under the management of Gus Hill |
will appear the first three nights next
week.
PoLI's WONDERLAND.
Big houses at each performance and the
performances are up to the times. The
house is doing good business. An un-