Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-24
ADJUSTMENTS.


standing the oppressive heat Of last even
ing a large audience assembled at Aliens
Grand Opera House to witness the first
presentation in this city of the comedy,
1.-THE Bachelors Baby" by the Mr.. and
Mrs. Sidney Drew Company, assisted by
Mr.. Mckee Rankin. The comedy as
whole can be classed as a success. the
bright lines furnishing numerous oppor-
tunities for comedy work Of the highest
order, while the more stmber work was
well taken care Of and acted as reliev-
ing foil when an over abundance OF COM
edy seemed possible.
The story of the play, in synopsis, hinges
on the trip of a young lady from the east
ern to the western coast, who, instead OF
going west by ship takes the overland
route and arrives ahead Of time. This
young lady is affectionately christened the
baby by her elderly friends in the east, and
through this misunderstanding the comedy
part of the play Is brought out. A tele-
gram Is sent to the colonel at the fort an
nouncing the shipment of the baby and this
telegram inadvertently goes to his nephew.
A slight slip up in the moral code. on the
part Of the colonel, adds spice of dra-
matte realism to the comedy, but all ends
well in the last act and the curtain goes
down on the most humorous picture Of the
play.
The ladies of the company do the most
praiseworthy work, although every men,
Der worked conscientiously toward sue
cessful presentation. Mrs. Sidney Drew,
ever pleasing, acted the part of a breezy
western girl, in manner that recalls the
brightest days of her talented mother, Kit
ty Blanchard. Pleasing to look upon. and
with voice mellowed to the true comedy
ring, Mrs. DreW's whole souled abandon
ment to the characterization was q revela-
ton even to those apparently familiar
with her high abilities. Miss Nance ONeil,
as Geraldine, acted with much force and
vivacity, as the lines required, and secured
hifrh ia 81.
tic work. Miss Annie Leonard, as Mrs.
Porsonby, the wicked character of the
play, carried herself With a naturalness
that was as refreshing as lifelike. The
Johnson and May McCabe was all that
could be desired For the male portion of
the csst Sidney Drew and Mckee Rankin
easily led, although all played their parts
to the full capacity of the lines Of the play.
Miss Fletcher, the author of the play, was
called before the curtain With Mr.. Rankin
and Mr.. Drew and handsome flowers were
passed over the footlights to the happy lit
tie woman
The sceuery was all that could be desired,
the setting Of the officers quarters In the
second act being unusually realistic and
accurate. With the return of seasonable
weather large business will no doubt rule
throughout the week.
National Theater.-The coming of Mr..
Daniel Frohman's Lyceum Company Is al
ways an event Of interest, for it brings to
Washington ladies and gentlemen who are
the cream of the dramatic profession and
whose work upon the stage Is so easy and
natural, so graceful and agreeable that one
almost forgets that they are acting. Last
night Henry Arthur Jones' play, THE Case
of Rebellious Susan" was seen for the first
time in this city. and the large and critical
audience that braved the heat and assem-
bled ct the National Theater manifested its
unusual and awkward title of the play is
hardly any preparation for the theme that
Mr.. Jones has taken. which Is the idea that
woman can get even with her husband
without reaching the compromising point.
Miss Isabelle Irving as Lady Susan gave a
splendid Interpretation of the impulsive,
high-strung and high-bred woman, FESTIVE
under conventional restrictions, but at heart
warm, true and loving. Miss Bessie Tyree
gave an original and forceful type of the
new woman, and compelled prompt recog-
milton by the audience of her undouDted
talent. Miss Tyree is a Washington girl,
who has won her present position by pure
merit and hard, honest work. She has q
brillian future before her. Herbert Kelley
as the mutual friend of all parties, an easy,
good-hearted bachelor was remarkably eff
fecttve, and Mr. w. j. LIE Moyne gave one of
those delightful high-comedy characterize
tons as the admiral that. only ne can por-
tray. Miss Annie Irish makes the most out
of the role allotted to her. and so do Mrs
Charles Walcott, Walter Hale, Charles Wal
colt and Ernest Tarleton. Fritz Williams
does wonderfully clever piece of work.
Academy of Music.-A large audience at
the Academy of Music last evening enjoyed
what was undoubtedly the most interesting
melodrama presented here this season, the
new electrical play of Shaft No. q" It is
claimed for this piece that the electrical eff
fectS are the most wonderful ever presented
en- any stage, and the production last even
ing went far to sustain such claim, despite
the fact that 1t was the first presentation
of the play. AS may be inferred from its
title the play is one in which mines and
miring occupy most prominent part. The
hero and heroine are saved from death in
the mine by electricity, the destruction of
the villain is effected by bolt of lightning,
Wonderfully represented by electrical ap-
planes, and the hero, after being convict
ed of the murder of the villain. Is saved
from death by electrocution. The company
is a competent one, and Frank Losee, as
Jim Rathburn, the hero, does some good
work; Carrie Elberts, as the heroine, max
ing effective support. Marion Elmore
as very voluble Irishwoman, made hit. W.
H. Murphy, as the tool of the villain sang
ard danced himself into high favor. The
play will be repeated at every performance
The Bijou Theater.-The large audience at
the Bijou Theater last night was fully war
ranted. for the performance was good in
every particular. The play was the "Strug-
gle for Life" a melodrama up to date.
The plot is carefully constructed through
out in details, and commands the respectful
attention OF the audience. 1t is the old
story of woman's wrongs, with smooth
villain with some two or three equally bad
friends, the soubrette and a comedian or
two to make matters lively. The company
supporting Is far above the average, and
so good that it is impossible to Individual
lie. Again tonight.
Kernan'S Lyceum Theater.-Another first
class variety entertainment is that present.
ed at Kernan's this week, known as Fields
Vaudevilles. The program is quite lengthy
ard all Of the specialties are first-class.
The feature of the entertainment was the
singing of Miss Phyllis Allen, who sang sew
eral popular songs in rich contralto voice
and received several encores. Charles Ga
lette exhibits some trained monkeys that
do lot of funny business. and the Weston
sisters contributed a clever song and dance.
Fields and Hanson, who are always good,
I'D laughable sketch, and Carroll and
Kinds gave an Ethiopian sketch Of geat
merit Joe Flynn sang himself into favor,
and La Fluer did startling gymnastc act,
concluding with backward dive from the
top of a 25-foot ladder A roaring after
piece closed the program.