The Washington times., 1894-11-18
GREENROOM And GALLERY
Fresh Theatrical Gossip from Ameri-
can Thespian Headquarters.
A FUNERAL FARCE COMEDY
Hoyfs "A Milk White Flag" Comes in for
Sarcastic Comment-0lga Nethersole Has
Evidently Not Taken the Critics by Storm
Maurice Barrymore and Eis swagger.
NEW YORK. Nov. II. 1894.


The funereal farce comedy, "a Milk White
Flag. still holds forth at Hoyt's Theater. 1t
is satire on the dead. and is particularly
soothing and consoling to those who have re-
Gently lost friends.
1t is so comforting to one in trouble to see
undertakers and widows weeds, and to hear
bright little cheerful speeches, such as Il
came in to see how his lateness is standing
the heat" Then it is so true to life to have
the daughter Of the deceased join the funeral
procession attired in gaudy short dress, and
sing "Oh, Wouldn't You Like to Kiss Me?" to
the pall-bearers. When l see anything so
true to nature, and yet so cheering, feel that
the stage is indeed a beneiactor.
There are legs enough in the play for a comic
opera, scenery enough for an extravaganza
mourning enough for tragedy, drinking
enough for a concert garden, brass bands
enough forAIanhattan Beach, uniforms enough
for West Point. flirting enough for the Tender
loin, and noises enough for a geological gar
den. What is il?
Miss Olga N4thersole is gone and we are
left in solitude to mourn. While witnessing
her performance of Camille" in the fourth
act, it was impossible to ward of terrible
fear occasioned by the costume she wore. 1t
was an evening dress OF white, trimmed
heavily with pearl bead fringe, and supported
only by band of brilliants over each
shoulder Now. the dress was heavy and the
bands we're frai What If one of the links
had given way? But living pictures are all
the rage now, and TO see them at Palmers
would he no worse than TO see them at Kos
ter and Bial's. The better the theater the
better the show.
Maurice Barrymore was a very poor sub
stltute for Wilton Lackaye. There was not
one redeeming feature in his performance Of
Armand Duyal. As he came before the au-
dience with dress suit and Bowery swag
ger, be looked enough like Steve Brodie to be
his brother.
Who ever told him he could act, and why
do New Workers tolerate him?
AS for Miss Nelhersole's acting, quote
from the New York Mail and Express of 0c-
tober 80: ''All doubts with regard 10 her
being genius are set at rest by her Camille,
which Is emphatically commonplace. Since
the disease which kills her is an essential
part Of the play, Miss Nethersole gives this
much attention, with peculiar result The
stimulation oft in the last act is reducedto dis
tinctly offensive, almost disgusting portrayal
Of the most unpleasant sort of fatal pulmo-
nary complaint. with profusion of chokinss
and handkerchiefs, and throughout the play
the alterations OF fever and of chill are
rather too bluntly shown within the former,
expulsion Of breath as of market woman
overheated, and a mopping Of perspiration
from neck and arms. 1t is not necessary
TO choose this kind of disease or to thrust it
upon an audience. This is not genius"
Rob Roy'' has surely made a hit at the
Herald Square Theater. The scenery and cos
tunes are beautiful and the music is pretty
l. s@ - n.
has so much against him in appearance. He
is cross-eyed, twists his mouth terribly when
he sings, and has the funniest legs l ever
saw. The Scotch costumes of plaids and
kits are most trying TO his style OF beauty
and was unable TO keep from laughing
when he was on the stage. His limbs were
of an enormous size and knock-kneed down
TO the top of the knee. but bow-legged below
Imagine the sight in hesh-colored tights and
large red plald legGings.
Wm. Mclaughlin as Lochiel, Highlander,
presents a very handsome appearance and
sings splendidly.
Richard f. Carroll has a funny part and
makes the most Of his opportunities. The
chorus is beefy. Their manager evidently
prefers quantity to quality. But Rob Roy
is a success, and with all its faults 1 love it
still.
Nancy Skies was so fortunate as TO be one
OF the newspaper party that went to Wash
ington TO see the first performance Of Au-
gustus Plrou's production of Sardou's
Madame Sans Gene" What a treat it wasl
! saw the best acting l have seen since
Nine. Duse was here. The scenery and
costumes were magnificent, and Katheryn
Kidder was simply lovely as Madame Sans
Gene. In appearance and manner she greatly
resembles Mary Anderson.
One OF the loveliest cloaks ever saw con-
sisted Of turquoise blue plush, embroidered
with silver oak leaves. The large full collar
and lining was OF ermine, and il was worn
over a pearl white brocade with long train
As Miss Kidder entered, attired in this gor-
geous costume, the ladies involuntarily gave
a little gasp in unison. The play is sure to
make a hit when il comes TO New York. Jan
nary Il