Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-25
ADJUSTMENTS,

mas Deen toward SITUATIONS OF as eXtraVa-
CANT character as the requirements of
legitimate humor would tolerate. and the
ingenuity displayed in working up extraor-
binary complications is something at once
admirable and amusing. The action goes
with a rush. but the plot Is kept well in
hand and lucidly developed. One Of the
beauties of the play IL that 1t gives the per-
formers every opportunity for clean. honest.
legitimate work. The characters and cpl
sodes are laughsble. 1t is true. but they are
laughable in the intelligent sense and not
merely appeals to an idle appreciation of
the grotesque. 1t is light. but not alto
gether flimsy. There are many substantial
threads In the story, and the company in
terprets the piece in a way that is very
satisfactory. Miss Rice occupied the center
of the stage most Of the time, as a matter
Of course and her presence was agreeable,
whether she laughed with her own peculiar
ripple of merriment, whether she delivered
bits Of street slang with naive abandon, or
whether she sang the songs which form
bright bits Of color in the evening entertain
ment. Charles Coote, who is well-known
through good work in English comedy in
this city, had a part that fitted him nicely
In the character of the queens guardsman
George r. Fdisons performance in the char
acter-role of "Bunbury" entitled him to
rank among the country's comedians. There
are three acts OF Miss Innocence Abroad
and each of them sparkles in a way that
Is pretty sure to attract that somewhat
oapricious creature, the seeker for theat-
rical entertainment
New National Theater-The company per-
forming at the New National this week
under the leadership Of that capable comedi-
an, Thomas =. Seabrooke, Is described on
the bills as an opera company. Beyond this
q 70 fhn
Tent's own idea as to how "Tabasco" the
piece presented, should be designated. 1t is
surely not opera. and 1t stops this side of
being extravaganza. 1t lacks the imagi-
not pretend to the dignity of the former.
The word "Cperetta'' would not be sufi-
GENTLY diminutive. II there were such a
word as operating" 1t might do approx
mately. 1t is, however, hardly necessary to
refer to these things, as there is ample evil
oence that the people interested are well
aware OF them. If they had not been, they
could not have made so effectively mirthful
an entertainment as that which they are
presenting. There are numerous evidences
or the fine work of the interpolator. In
fact, the patches with which the play has
been reinforced are SO frankly displayed as
to disarm criticism and as to leave only a
regret that the original garment could not
have been of the same excellence as the
material employed in reinforcing it. The
impersonation of the Irishman, Dennis
OGrady, by Seabrooke was funny as he
only could make 1t. Thoroughly artistic in
his methods, he handles a humorous situa-
ton the more effectively because he does it
with the quiet discernment needed to coun-
terfeit nature. 1t is not too much to say
that II a man of Dennis OGradys position
In society were surrounded with the diff
culties which beset that parsonage in Ia
basco," he would behave much as Mr. Sea-
brooke does; only he wouldn't be as funny
Miss Elvia Croix, sprightly and graceful as
ever, appeared prominently in the cast, and
N - a hA Nnrf h .,tx
gratified his friends in Washington, who
enjoy watching his steady progress as one
OF the country's musical favorites. The
scenery used is pleasing to the eye, and the
chorus is vocally effective and numerically
adequate. The audience received the pro-
duction with a degree of satisfaction that
came as near being one unremtting laugh
as would be possible or practicable. One of
the hits of the evening was Mr.. Seabrooke's
rev song, Swim Out, OGrady."
Academy of Music. - Louis Morrison's
dramatization of Faust has been seen
here many times. but it is always witness
ed with interest, and, consequently. there
was a large audience at the Academy of
Music last night to greet Mr.. Morrison on
the first night of his present engagement.
His Interpretation of the character of
Mephistopheles Is consistent and artistic
bringing out all the wickedness that there
is in 1t, and at the same time holding his
power over Faust not only by the domino
ton of will and the contract between Them
but by the most consummate tact in min
istering to the desires of the man restored
to youth. The scenic effects introduced in
the drama are remarkably effective, par
tcularly in the Broken scene where cleo
trio and calcium lights are employed in the
most lavish manner. Miss Florence Roberts
looked and acted the role of Marguerite in
thoroughly natural manner, and display
ed considerable dramatic power in the
dungeon scene. Mr.. Edward Esner was &C
ceptable as Faust, as was also Mr.. Joseph
Callahan as Valentine, while Mrs. Nelson
kneass made the part Of Dame Martha
quite effective. The audience was demon
strative1n its appreciation, and Mr.. Morris
son received several calls before the curtain.
Butler 8 Bijou Theater-Mr John l.. Sui
Ivan, formerly champion prize-fighter of
the world. and now a real actor appeared
last evening at Buffers Bijou Opera House
In play called a True American" The
house was crowded with an audience that
was liberal in its applause and cheered
every time the hero stepped in at the op-
perfume moment to save the child from alb
duction or the estates from being stolen
by the bad nephew. Mr.. Sullivan's meth
DDS as an actor are all his own, and his
efforts will undoubtedly be appreciated by
the theatar-going public. He is a strong and
forceful actor, although he RAIDS his lines with
few attempts at Evolutionary flights. He
wears very beautiful clothes and stands
about In graceful attitudes that well befit
the man who was for a dozen years the
pride and joy Of his native land but even
then 1t Is not easy to see just why the love-
ly heroine should fall In love with him so
easily and without his speaking a word of
love or even asking her to surrender her
maiden heart to his fond keeping. The play
itself gives the former champion a chance
to appear in the best possible light and the
company which surrounds him is entirely
adequate. In the last act, Mr.. Sullivan
gives an exhibition Of boxing and knocks
out great unknown" who Is run In as
ringer" by the villain for the purpose
of doing up the hero. Altogether "A True
American" Is well worth seeing, and will
undoubtedly draw crowded houses during
Mr.. Sullivan's engagement.
Kernan's Lyceum Theater--A fresh
breezy burlcsque. coupled with first-class
specialties, can always be depended upon to
draw large audiences to Kernan's Lyceum
Theater. and all these requirements were
fully met by the Harry Morris Buresque
Company last night. The theater was
crowded to the doors with an enthusiastic
audience. and the show, from start to finish
went with a hurrah and snap that carried
everything before it. The evenings fun
started with the little burlesque transforma-
ton, called the Dutch Crook" and put
everybody in good humcr, pretty girls, daz-
zling costumes and good singing being much
in evidence. Then followed a strong line of
specialties headed by Ed. Latell, the musical
comedian, who scored heavily. The Nc
Nulty sisters came next in songs and dances
to great applause. Emile Wait then sang