Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-06
ANU SEMENTS.

Albaugh's-It was fitting that the tenth
anniversary of the opening of Albaugh's
Opera House should be celebrated by the
presentation for the first time on any
stage in this country of the English YER
sion OF Sardou's play, Madame Sans
Gene" In this effort the great dramatist
has taken single incident in the career
of Napoleon and has elaborated it with a
skill that is peculiarly his own. He has
made play with forty-two speaking parts,
all of which are necessary to the develop
ment of the story, and yet the action Is
mainly carried by a few people. To properly
interpret all these characters requires not
only an unusually large, but an unusually
Intelligent company but Mr.. Pitou has
brought together people who move and
speak naturally, and who have been re-
hearsed until the whole action of the piece
goes with perfect smoothness. The lines
are bright and sparkling, and the move
ment in every act is brisk, ending with a
telling picture upon the usual Sardou lines.
The piece is splendidly mounted, it's scenery
and furnishings being historically accurate
as to details and of unusual richness of
material. This, too, may be said of the
costumes of all the characters and the or
ders and decorations worn. In the title role
Miss Kathryn kidder has found a part to
which she is especially adapted, and she
gained the sympathy of her audience from
the first Even in the prologue in the Laun-
dry she was remarkably effective, and in
Morris, Oliver and Russell in making the
action entirely natural. Honest and straight
forward by nature, she retained those quail
ties even when elevated to duchess, and she
ahhorred intrigues of the court and the pre-
tensions of those who had been suddenly
elevated into social prominence. She was
woman of the people from the first and she
was the true and loyal wife who could not
be divorced even at the command Of an
emperor. In the scene with the royal sis
tiers Miss kidder showed a dignity of wo-
manhood that was in fine contrast with
the mere aristocracy of birth, and her trib-
ute to the nobility of those who had risen
to honor and renown through their heroic
services in the army fully deserved the ap-
plause Ii received. In every situation Miss
Kidder proved herself fully competent and
her efforts were rewarded with repeated
curtain calls at the close of every act Mr.
Augustus Cook looked the part of Napoleon
and he interpreted the character with dig
nifty and force, showing the result of care
full study and an intelligent comprehension
of the nature of the man who revolutionized
France and placed her upon the highest
pinnacle of greatness. Harold Russell made
Gn effective Lefebre, as was j. h. Hackett
as the Duke of Neipping and Wallace
Shaw as Fouche. Others might be men
toned, but then all did well, and the whole
performance was one of the best first
nights ever given in Washington. The pIav
was pronounced an unqualified success. and
in 1t Manager Pitou has money-makar
and Miss Kidder has part which will not
New National Theater.-'The Amazons,,
made their first appearance before Wash
ir gton audience last night, and were ripbt
heartily welcomed The comedy has a clever
theme its basis, and the good points re
never allowed to suffer for lack of CONNIE
tent Interpretation. There Is satiricaI
flavor to 1t all which is pungent without
being obtrusive. The moral is there, If the
auditor chooses to hunt 1t out, but there is
no disposition to force 1t upon the attention
at the expense of fun for funs sake. The
personnel of the company which appeared
in the comedy promised good things, and
the results We're in keeping with the expec-
tations. The play Is light, but not fiimsy:
mirthful, but not boisterous. and it requires
judicious and clever work on the part of the
company to preserve the delicate balance
upon which satisfactory production of the
piece depends The cast contains peoDie
with whom the playgoers are acquainted /.
people whom they like to see whatever they
do. tombstone Bennett is one of these. so
is Miss Ellison; so is Miss Irving; so is John
| Findlay. The company has the rare merit
of high standard of ability throughout,
| and the result is production which not
| only amuses but which satisfies
Academy of Music.-Washngton comes
| once more to the front in things dramatic
| in The achievements of Tim Murphy.
His advance has been rapid and substantial
| and his performance of Lem Kettle" at the
| Academy confirms the impression as to
| his capabilities in the direction Of legitimate
| comedy which was formed from his per-
| Torrance in farce. The part which gives
| the play it's title leaves open numerous op-
portunities for the methods which were en-
ployed in his previous work. AS he always
| toned his fuh into accurate harmony with
| the characteristics of the role he assumed,
\ his aDpearance in substantial lines is not
| an abrupt transition, but natural develop
| ment Mr. Murphy suffers somewhat from
| the fact that the made-to-order play Is not
| as certain to be satisfactory as the made
to-order suit of clothes. Lem Kettle is,