The Washington times., 1894-05-06
Gallery, PHI
and GroonrOOn.

The Rapley's two programmes for the
Summer are arranged, company OF great
, singers in grand opera and a stock company
of the best comedians in the best comedies.
There is nothing but the truth in the assertion
that both these companies are the equal of
the best In their lines.
There need not much be said about the
stock comedy company to us here. 1t is the
same that it was last year, except
that it has been improved by the engage
ment of two or three well known people.
The favorites of last season have been
retained, Mr. Bond, Mr.. Coote, Miss Saunders
and the others. One or two new ladies have
been booked and Miss Lawrence is not signed.
The old comedies OF the class selected last
season will be produced.
That people appreciated the efforts OF the
company last year is gratifyinGiy proven by
the daily inquiries that pour IN to Mr.. Rapley
and Mr.. Shaw. The season opens with the
last week of this month.
Sothern comes to us this week to play at
the National the best or at least much the
most successful of his plays. The last time he
brought Lord Chumley'' to Washington he
made bet, the story of which is quite worth
the telling. AT the opening Of the second act
it will be remembered that Sothern is sup
posed to be behind Il screen. where he takes a
bath in ice-cold water, dresses and emerges
from behind the screen in just eight minutes.
One night at supper with party OF his friends
in his own hotel after the performance a
4.
lowed for this action in the performance was
sufficient for it really to be done. II was
strongly argued pro and con, Mr. Sothern
being in the affirmative. At last a small
wager was laId about the matter, and Mr.
Sorhern agreed TO enter his bath room,
clothed only in a bath robe his proper habili-
ments being placed upon chair in the room.
He was to speak the lines of the part, plunge
into the tub, dry himself, put on all his clothes
and come out fully dressed in the time and
manner he did upon the stage. OEe OF his
friends volunteered TO fill the tub with water
while Mr.. Sothern disrooed in his bedroom.
When all was ready Mr.. Sothern entered the
bath room, the clothes he had Just doffed
were placed near him. and the signal was
given to begin. All went smoothly until the
lines referring to breaking the ice in his tub
with q hammer. Then came the speech.
"Never mind, one brave plunge and all is
over" Then the sound of the plunge was
heard, but it was followed by yell not in the
part and Mr.. Sotherns voice saying. You've
filled the tub with hot water" However, on
he went bravely. and in just seven minutes
and half he came out of the bath room with
the regular speech: where's my other slip
PERI" But the flush upon his countenance
was not all due to the speed with which he
had dressed. nor the wrath he felt at the Joke
played on him.
Sothern is considering two new plays, one
by Miss Merrington, having for its theme the
love of Flora Mcdonald for the Pretender,
with the highlands of Scotland for setting,
and the other on an Anglo-Indian subject by
Paul Potter.
The Capital tells a story this week of how
Sothern as Lord Chumley'' took so well
several years ago. and how certain weekly
newspaper of uncertain circulation. wishing
to publish a picture of him, sent to Saks'
clothing store and borrowed their "Chumley"
overcoat cut.
Mr.. Willard gave his farewell performance
last Saturday night. He was presented by
his company with a massive silver punch
bowl and ladle, Miss Burroughs making a
graceful presentation speech.
And speaking of Willard, he has the rights
for this country of what some critics say is
one of the strongest plays lately written,
"The Masqueraders," by Henry Arthur Jones.
He will not be here until the season of 1856,
and we shall probably not see it until then.
Ballard Smith says of ''The Masqueraders"
that it is more artistic, stronger in situation,
and more probable in incident than 'The
Second Mrs. Tanqueray," which it succeeds.
OF the grand opera people every one
knows. They are bright stars. and they be-
long to a company that has done some of the
best work that has been accomplished in
America. The Hinrich Grand Opera Com
pany produced originally in this country and
made success of "Cavalleria Rusticana."
1t has the honor of having first produced
two or three other great successes also in the
seven years of its existence as an organiza-
tion. 1 have mentioned the people in the
company heretofore. The repertoire for this
week includes:
Monday. Verdi's ''Il Trovatore." with Kro-
mold, FlemminG, Guile, Del Puente, and
Viviani in the east; Tuesday. Martha" with
Humphreys. FlemIning. Michelena, Knight.
and Story; Wednesday. fourth act of .'Rigo-
letto" and ''Cavalleria Rusticana,' with kro-
mold, Guile. and Del Puente in the characters
originated by them; Thursday night. the ever
popular Bohemian Girl" with Humphreys.
Flemming. Michelena, Ganor, and Story;
Friday. Carmen" with Kronold, Humph-
reys, Michelena. and Del Puente; at the matt
nee Saturday the fourth act of ''Rigoletto"
and "Cavalleria Rusticana." and Saturday
night, "Trovatore" will be repeated, the casts
to be announced later.
Oh you rhymesters who write rhymes
With the dizZiest of flights,
Why not drop the Spring sometimesl
Sing a song of pink guuZe tights.
The Boston Commonwealth Is authority for