Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-13
ADJUSTMENTS.


cap is peculiarly interesting for the evil
dence which 1t gives of the variety Of pub
lie taste in the drama. That there is an
appetite for plays of this character must
be taken for granted. Otherwise 1.-THE
Great Brooklyn Handicap" would not exist
The piece de resistance is a horse race.
This feature represents the element of
realism, which is regarded as an indispen-
sable adjunct to melodrama; and on this
point the public is not trified with. There
is no deception. The horses are unmis-
takably real. The tendency in play-mak-
ing of late has bean to take it for granted
that If a little bit of something is good a
great deal must be correspondingly better.
And thus 1t is that the stage has been
cluttered up with pasteboard saw-mills and
canvas pile-drivers, to the practical ex-
clusion of &C tors and actresses. This is
a mistake. Actors and actresses are neces-
sary to any play, and If this were only per-
celNed by the managers the flavor of re-
allsm, entirely enjoyable If judiciOusly en-
ployed, might be enjoyed instead of hav-
ing to be practically tabooed, as there is
great danger of it's bee oming. The situa-
ton with reference to the drama Is like
that of the small boy who has cut some
Caper which amused Charmed with his
success he does the same thing ever and
over, and feels aggrieved and astonished
because his Audience does not show the
oohO the last time Indl
did the first. The public years ago clapped
It's hands in approval of some scenic trick,
ana the theatrical manager forthwith de-
voted his attention to repeating the
achievement Mechanism absorbed his at
tentlon to the displacement of the actor
and the result Is that we have offered to-
Day pictures of workshops and menageries
IN which the live people hold about the
same relation to the exhibition as the free
hand hgures in a patent office drawing do
10 InSlr surroundings They al
TO sense of completeness; they serve to
TX the idea of proportion, but beyond that
they are unimportant. This may be- the
reason that the company in 1.-THE Great
Brooklyn Handicap does not appear to
better advantage The play has had a long
run In New York. This is not necessarily
In Its disfavor, although the theater pa
ucns have long since come to regard these
runs IN most cases as perfunctory affairs
for purposes Of advertisement purely, and
with no significance as to artistic merit.
While the pride of the big city would
doubtless revolt at the suggestion, New
YORK Is, dramatically, one of the most
pitiabiy imposed upon cities in the uni
verse.
The stir of enthusiasm which is bound
to come when contest is depicted is the
main element of strength in the play. and
the audience was ready and hearty in its
response TO this appeal to it's apprecia-
ton. THE Great Brooklyn Handicap" will
doubtless succeed in pleasing many in the
future as it has done already, but it would
please more If the element of humanity
We're not so systematically subordinated
to realism.
New National Theater.-"Robin Hood"
stu virile and enchanting. was given at the
New National Theater last night by the
Bostonians. The cast was worthy of the
opera, and the audience was lavish in it's
approval, The vitality which this opera
possesses and its indispensability to the
company would make it distinctly proper
to rechIisten the organization THE Robin
Hood Opera Company. The spirit of the
melodies and the richness of their har-
monte development are handled with all
the companys old-time skill. Even should
Robin Hood prove to be the one import
ant work of Reginald de Kovens career
his reputation as a musician would have a
substantial and enduring foundation and
Barnabee, Karl and Mcdonald will not be
without their share of remembrance for
the mastery manner in which their COM
pany interpreted the work. All the old fa--
vorites were heartily welcomed by the i'm
mense audience and they performed their
parts with their accustomed SKILL Barna-
bee, with 1.-The eagle eye and massive
brain" brought out all the fun in the
coming spirit. Cowles' rich voice was
heard with pleasure, and Frothingham's
Friar Tuck was as unctuous as ever. Jes-
sic Bartlett Davis Is handsome ALBANIA
Dale and her voice is as full and melodious
as of old. Miss Caroline Hamilton sang and
acted the part of Maid Marion to the rer-
feet satisfaction of her audience, and the
new tenor. Mr.. Sheehan, was an agreeable
surprise In the possession of a voice of
much sweetness AMI power and of excellent
range. The chorus was effective, as 1t al
ways is, and the orchestra, under the baton
of Mr.. Studlery, was thoroughly efficient.
Academy of Music.-It has been some
years since the Hanlons brought Fan
tasma" to this city, but that it has lost
none OF its popularity was fully proved by
Its reception at the Academy of Music
n CT nj " Thn rfn hsa, Il.
since 1t was last seen here, but
the changes are improvements, particularly
as to its spectacular features. Some of
the scenes are really beautiful stage pic
lures and richly deserved the applause they
The central figure In the piece
is George H. Adams, probably the best
clown now before the public. who furnishes
any amount of fun. Miss Elsie Irving look
ed charming as the fairy queen and made
quite hit by the introduction of some
English cockney songs. Mr.. Nat. ID. Jones
made an effective Zamaliel. Leon Nief
gave some excellent baritone solos, and the
specialties of Blanche Sherwood VIII A.
Mack and the McDonough Brothers were
all well done. Fantasma will undoubtedly
attract crowded houses during it's engage
ment.
Buffers BiJou Theater-It has been sew
eral years since 1.-The Pawn Ticket 2lV' has
been seen here, and last night a large au-
dience welcomed it at Buffers Bijou Thea
ter. Few plays before the public have such
the entire performance there
are dramatic surprises coupled with thrill
ing situations of which an audience never
tires. The company which presented the
play last night was one of marked ability
and every attention has been paid by the
to the production. Miss Annie
Lee as the Pledge proved herself the mis-
tress of the difficult role, and made a favor
able impression. Mr.. Frank Doane did
some clever specialities in connection with
his good acting, which won for him many
friends. Mr.. p. Aug. Anderson gave
splendid exhibition of character acting.
Again tonight.
Kernan's Lyceum Theater.-In the va
riety world there are few stars with great
er personal attractions and magnetism than
May Howard. Miss Howard has served a
long premiership on the vaudeville stage,
and is thoroughly capable In any role. At
the head of a company last night at Ker-
mans Theater she added new laurels to her
reputation. The company which supports
her Is frst-class In every respect. There
Is a score of pretty and shapely maidens in
the company who contribute materially to
the success of the burlesQue. Frank Bell
a stump speech that is laugh
able. Then there is Hamley and Jarvis,
Jane Daily, Conroy Mcfarland, the Irish
Kings and Al Belman in descriptive songs.
Mile. Corverette gave an eccentric dance.
The other specialties were good. Again to-
night.
They Both Robbed.