Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-28
ADJUSTMENTS,

ALBAuaH's.-The best evidence in the
world that Mr.. Sol Smith Russell is in certain
lines beyond any sort of question the finest
comedian on the stage is found in the fact that
be can make OF such play as Peaceful Val
ley an attraction which draws thousands of
people wherever it is produced. The humor
and pathos of the man are inherent and coher-
emf and they appear naturally and never out OF
place. though at times unexpected tears give
way to smiles and smiles to tears in such sue
csssion as makes the actors power more sp-
parent and leaves an audience constantly IN
doubt as to what it should do with the greater
propriety. There is nothing of the mod
ern style of fun making in Mr..
Eusselfs work. II would have been Just as
funny to our grandfathers as il is to us. and it
would be just as funny to our grandchildren.
~ Is natural humor. and one touch of nature
makes the whole world kin. There is the tonic
OF mountain air and the sweet breath of flowers
In Peaceful Valley, and there thorns among
Its roses. just as We find ALWAYS in life but the
effects are good always and the play ends hap
PLY, and we remember only pleasantly what
has been presented. The company with Mr..
Russell Is not q powerful one. possibly because
he doesn't need that sort of company. Mr..
Eussell's little entire act speech a funny
compound OF Sol and Hosea. The house was
full of people from top to bottom and it was
enthusiastically uproarious enthusiastically
silent, the situations of the play demanded.
Again tonight.
NATIoSAI.-''Chums'' and Jane pulled
together at the National last night and though
il has been a very short time since they were
in Washington they pulled together a very nice
audience and pleased everybody. "Chums" is
u bright curtain raiser, and the result is ii
isn't often an audience sees so good a small
play as "Chuns" is
1t might be suggested here to one of the pretty
young ladies in the play that enthusiasm" is
not pronounced enthusiasm" as she and lot
more people everywhere pronounce it. As to
Jane. nothing more can be said in praise or
censure. Some like it and some don't, but the
don'ters seem to be in the minority, for Jane"
has drawn good houses always and the end is as
yet not apparent. The company. with two
three exceptions, is as 1t was previously. and
Miss Bennett and those associated with her are
quite as earnest and enthusiastic as if they
were doing "Jane" for the very first time in
their lives 1t is this sort Of acting that makes
play go.
ACADEMY OF MUsIC.-'Natural Cas- blazed
away in the jolliest sort Of fashion in the
Academy OF Music last night. The performance
is one of the sort that deties analysis. The plot
is evasive. then CLEANS out occasionally only to
be smothered by some incident which bears no
relation to the story. but which is very laugh
able. The company headed by DOnnelly and
Girard contains diversity of ability as to
music and dancing and the result kept the
audience IN state of steady merriment that
testified completely 10 the success of the people
who we're endeavoring TO smuse. The company
includes Ida Rock. who is a pleasing singer,
and Miss Anna Caldwell, who is Il vivacious and
graceful dancer One OF the novelties is the
song "How Tim Mccarthy Lost the Fight"
and it appeared to please the house immensely.
WILSON'S MINsTRELS.-Music. Minstrelsy and
MetzeTott's-a three NJ dash. to talk shop.
and very appropriate, too-for MetZerott Hall
il devoted to music and so are Geo. Wilson's
Ministries. As seen there last night they added
nal -l,o I'D do, atl, Lott
monologues. &c. as is tine custom OF latter day
minstrels. The appointments throughout were
handsome ard refined and the audience was
thoroughly well satisfied. The jokes we're
mostly let loose here for the first time. and tine
solos. duets, ballads. juggling. bar business and
Wilsoniana were up to and above the standard.
The company will remain at Metzerott's for the
week. Maunees will be given Wednesday,
Thursday. Friday and Saturday.
HARRIS BIJoU THEATEE--There if a rollick
ing comedy at the Bijou this week, and from
the number turned away last night. there is no
doubt that this will be the banner week of the
season. The play is the Pair OF Kids and
theater-goers of Washington are familiar with
the hit Ezra +. Kendall made in the leading roll
last year. 1t is a good performance. No. much
attention has been given to the development of
a plot, but there is lots OF fun. number of
clever specialties have been introduced. includ-
ing the famous Carlo;ta, in her popular serpen-
tine dance. Mr.. Kendall has lost none of his
old-time magnetism and his delineation Of the
green countryman was laughable. The COM
pany is good and the scenery appropriate.
kERNAN's LYCEUM THEATER.-After a num-
Der Of weeks of variety Manager Herman pre-
sented his patrons last night with novel
spectacle In the shape of a mixture of comedy
and melodrama. The drama, The South Be
fore the War," proved good medium OF bring
ing before the public company of genuine
colored actors who gave scenes from plantation
life and sang the songs they used 10 sing before
the war All of the performers. however. are
not colored. for Shaffer and Blakely. those old
time favorites. contribute their famous specially.
The song of the bumblebee, by Mr.. Shaffer. is
laIghable. Then there is Ferry. the human
frog. who twists himself into any number of
shapes and gives a grotesque exhibition of the
antics of frog. The same performance will
be gwen every day and nigh, this week. to-
gether with extra performances Friday and
Saturday al midnight.