Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-05
ADJUSTMENTS.


Charles Klein and Harrison Grey Fiske.
was given its first Washington presentation
last night at the Grand Opera House, with
a very good audience, which did not all set
there in time, much to the annoyance Of
those who were prompt. When it did all
get in, and caught the spirit of the play.
it was well satisfied, If not vociferously SO,
for this play is not loud, but deep. The
plot applies to and grows out Of the prac-
teal politics of any city in the land. but
now especially of New York. John Strait
ton (Afr. Courtleigh). "reformer," by the
way, has been elected district attorney by
the ring" and he Is engaged to be mar
ried to Grace Grainerd (Ndiss Annie Irish).
daughter of Matthew Brainerd (Mr. Frank
MordaunO. contractor. grown rich on
his pull" and a leading man in the
ring" but not suspected of dishonesty by
Stratton. Stratton marries, and he and his
wife are greatly interested in the story told
them just before the wedding, by Helen
knight (Miss Lizzie Hudson Collier). whose
sweetheart, Frank Pierson (Mr. Morgan). Is
In Sing Sing for forgery, confessed by him,
in order to get large sum of money from
the ring" whose leaders agree to get him
out and pay him for thus saving them.
They refuse to act and he tells his story,
and Stratton is at once hedged in by his
sense of duty as an official, his love for his
wife, and her appeals to him to save her
father.
In that is the intensity of the situation,
and while 1t is powerful enough, in a way,
it lacks the profounder depths of many
other plays in very nearly the same lines
Of the emotional. The sentiment never
sinks to the level Of the sensational. al,
though in the hands of less capable and
artistic players 1t might easily do so, and
1t is probably this sense of the plays pos
sibilities in that direction which produces
a sense of something lacking, when they
devotion themselves.
The cast Is unusually strong. Mr.. Court
leigh is an excellent study; Mr.. Mordaunt's
Brainerd Is the strongest character In the
play, and he fills its requirements admir-
ably; bright in action and in talk are Mr.:
Able and Miss Adele Richie. and typical
ward heeler'' is Mr.. Odell Williams Dan
iel McGrath The young women in the
cast are most attractive personally, ann
their gowns are as pretty as fashion plates
Mr.. Fawcett's General Ruggles Is a blutf
and natural character, and Mr.. Eddingers
tough" is tough. In many respects 1.-The
District Attorney" is out of the rut of plays
of its class and the interest in it grows
constantly, with final elimination. Wnich
Is prompt, efficacious and untheatr1cai, al
though amply dramatic to be In Keeping
with what has preceded 1t.
New National Thea1er.-"Lady Clarcar-
ty" was produced at the New National
Theater last night and meri.ed the mark
of appreciation literally bestowed by
large audience. The play is one of the
Taylor though by no means the best, and
Is distinguished by discretion in the en-
ployment of Dramatic effects as well as
literary finish. It differs from the line OF
productions with which the Kendals have
identified themselves in the American mind,
being strongly romauic-indeed, almost
melodramatic. The Intelligent presentation
which it enjoys in it's every detail prevents
the impression of hackncyed heroics which
might occasionally arise. The play Is
mounted with remarkable liheraiity, the
settings for each scene taking rank as
genuine works of art. 1t is TO the sulnptu-
Gus and tasteful scenic display that the
performance owes much Of its success with
an intelligent audience, such as the Ken
dals. because of the high standard they
have maintained in majority of their
productions, may always expect. Neither,
Mr.. Kendall nor Mrs. Kendall IS familiar
to play-goers in the lines of charac ter
portrayal which they essayed last night,
and it is rather tribute to their trfumphs
elsewhere than a derogation of their merits
here to say that both are more happy in
other things The excellence Of the pro-
cast enable this production of Lady Clan
carty" to command indisputable |recogni-
ton as a noteworthy artistic enterprise.
Academy of Music.-"The County Fair"
which opened at the Academy last night,
is standby. and the interest in it is al
ways alive. The Abigail Prue made so
great by Neill Burgess is now quite ac-
ceptably taken by Marie Bates, and Abigail
goes right along as favorite with every
body who meets her. Otis Tucker was done
to the life by Mr.. LIE Brasse. and the ire
pressible Tags found a fitting exponent in
Kitty Beck. H. F. Roberts, another Wash
ington artist, rides the winning horse, and,
of course. is the biggest man on the track.
The race was a success. the singing at the
husking bee and all the other well-known
and popular features of this most popular
play came out distinctly and in excellent
form, and there was no mistake made by
q n in oil nd ixyfn
the players the evidence of its approval in
loud and continued applause
Buffers Bijou Theater.-Mr. Dan McCar-
thy's temperance took place last night
and the house was crowded The romantic
Irish drama, THE Pride Of Mayo" was the
play, and it possesses many points of inter-
est, and opportunities for good acting are
numerous. Mr.. Mccarthy, as the hero, was
full of vivacity and humor, and captured
his audience with his natural and consci-
entious acting. The supporting company is
a good one; Miss Lou Ripley, the soubrette,
being exceptionally bright and pleasing.
and Charles Saunders. One of the attrac-
lions was the dancing Of Master Sproesser
and Miss Sadie Humphreys, the little
Washington favorites. Saturday afternoon
d tssns will be a special matinee for chill
Kernan's Lyceum Theater.-The Russell
Brothers Comedians was the attraction at
Kernan's Lyceum Theater last night, and,
as usual, an immense crowd was in attend
ance. Last night the stars were in the
best of humor, and furnished such an
amount of humor that the audience en-
deavored to keep them on the stage
throughout the evening. The remainder of
the company Is above the average. Little
Bonnie Thornton is one of the best serio-
comics on the stage, and does her work
very cleverly. Will H. Fox Is another
clever performer, with original, grotesque
ideas. and with much musical ability
Among the other specialties are Whiting
and Shepard; Hastings and Marion, in
their sensational road to ruin race scene,
and Thomas O'Brien and Clara Havel, in
the newsboy's courtship. The program con-
Guided with a farce in two scenes, called
"Clarice,' in which James Russell, as the
prima donna, and the entire company ap-
peared.
1.-THE Redemption Tonight.-For the first
time Washington music lovers will have
the opportunity of listening to Gounod's
oratorio. 1.-The Redemption" tonight and
tomorrow evening, at the First Congrega-
tional Church. This is the first choral work
Of Gounod that the Choral Society has pro-
duced, and it will prove interesting to all
who are more familiar with the great COM
poser's better known composition, his opera
Faust" The music is tuneful throughout
and in addition to this the subject is one
which, especially at this season, will appeal
to many who would not be attracted per-