Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-15
ADJUSTMENTS.

night at Albaugh'S and there was q great
audience in quantity and quality to see the
Jersey Lily bloom as Esther Sandraz," the
titular character in a workover from Belot
by Mr.. Sydney Grundy. And here 1t may
be said that either Belot CT Grundy is at
fault, for the play is weak and ineffectuai.
Efervescent would be the better definition
probably, in the sense that it works along
through each act without any appreciable
evidence of life, except an occasional buo-
Bile rising to the surface, until the climax
is reached, when it goes off with rush
that almost takes away the breath of the
audience. A very powerful company might
give the play a temporarily enduring exist
ence, but the ordinary human eGdeavor
cannot immortaliZe 1t. So much for the
play in general. In particular, Mrs. Lang
try is Esther Sandraz, who loves and is
loved by Henri Vandelle (Mr. Frank ii.
Fenton), who in turn casts his mistress
aside and marries Henriette Miss Beatrice
Selwyn), simply for her money, her parents
arrar ging the match. She in her turn loves
Olivier Deschamps (Mr. Oscar Adyc). After
Nandelle marries, Deschamps applies to
him for position as superintendent OF his
quarries, nor knowing who his wife was,
and latec Esther SandraZ applies for the
position of companion to Nine Nandelic, III
response to an advertisement. One would
naturally think that when these two posi-
lions are filled something is going to hap
PEI, and it does, but not expected.
Deschamps, who is a good young man.
and who takes the place because he is
forced to do SO to protect his old sweet
heart, prevails ipon Esther VINO holds
her place merely TO torture her old lover,
to leave with him, and just as they are
about to get out Vondelle, thinking 1t is
his wife who is clipping, appears with
revolver, and shoots at the couple, killing
Esther. When he discovers what he has
done he runs off to kill himself, leaving
Deschamps and Henrietta to the curtain.
This series of incidents ought to make a
powerful play, but Mr.. Grundy hasn't made
it so. In the lighter parts, noticeable in the
second act, Mrs. Langtrys work is par
ticularly attractive, and would be so even
IL she were not a really beautiful woman.
That she has greatly improved during her
stage experience is evident in all her work,
but it can hardly be said that her dramatic
ability lies along the lines of the strongly
emotional. OF the other players the strong
est parts We're taken and well done by Nir.
Adye and Miss Selwyn, while the comedy
was very acceptably presented by Mr.. }.
w. Piggott and Miss Ethel Hope Nj.
and Mime. Fourcanade. "A Happy Pair
with Mrs. Largtry and MIR. Lowell as Mr..
and Mrs. Horeyton, closed the perform
ance, where again Mrs. Langtry'S power in
the pleasant om-hand style of acting had
an opportunity of development. Her gown
ing was beyond adverse criticism, except,
perhaps, by envious fair ones who cannot
gown themselves as she does Esther
Sandraz" again tonight.
New Natiora al Theater.-NIr. Sydney
Grundy has given the public many good
plays, but his fame is likely to hinge itself
very largely upon Sowing the Wind
which was produced last night in the lin
ished manner which a F'rohman organiza-
ton almost invariably attains. The play
wright moralizes in this work. but it is not
done in the conventional and long-winded
phrases that make the suggestion of NOR
alizing at once distasteful. The point is
Nsrix H,illi thn
Torrance as a whole; the central idea
that of the widely different standards by
which the misdeedS of men and women are
judged. is clearly impressed, the purely
dramatic element in the interest being at
the same time skilifully preserved. The
play is bold in its thought, but delicate
and judiciouS in its method of expression
The players are uniformly efficient and the
production is characterized by the even
excellence which is so gratifying, not to
say essential, in legitimate production
of the higher type. Mr.. ]. II. Gilmour and
Miss Mary Hampton did full justice to
the important roles intrusted to them.
Academy.-"The Hustler drew the
laughs cut of a good audience at the
Academy last night and kept on drawing
until the curtain went down on the last
act. 1.-The Hustler is a variety ola po-
drida, with the outline of a plot. and a
whole grist of specialties in music, dancing
and furry business by skillful artists.
John Tierney is the Hustler, and when
Tierney hustles the world moves, and
with him are Watson and Hefferman, VINO
see that it keeps moving. Miss Hernandez
in songs and dances; Miss Mayo, with her
banjo and dances; the Hustler Quartet;
Smith and Clark, in acrobatic fun; Miss
Hutchings, in song: Miss Miilington, in
dance are features of the program and
enter into all their work with Il spirit
which can hardly result otherwise than
successfully. There are many clever hits
and sharp sayings. all through the per-
formapce and they have a tonic quality
=; ctip lIote 10 gll,lipppn
Buffers Bijou Theater.-A real comedy
drama, with just enough villainy, heroism
and fun combined to please would be n
fair criticism OF True Irish Hearts, which
is now filing weeks engagement at the
Bijou. The play has been seen before, al
Though since it's last appearance 1t has
been rewritten and several new characters
introduced. AS Lany flanagan Edward w.
Rowland made a success, and the singing
and dancing are the features of the snow.
AS Kitty Brady Miss Lillian keene did
some clever character work, and her songs
and dances were greatly enjoyed one OF
the attractions of the performance is Prince
Tinymite who claims to be the smallest
man in the world. He is thirty-one inches
in height, nineteen years old ard weighs
twenty-one pounds. Again tonight.
Kernan's Lyceum Theater. - Kernan's
Theater was crowded last night, and it is
but just to say that the show deserved it.
The Irwin brothers have the reputation of
being first-clasS caterers, and the bill they
presented last night was pleasing in all re-
spects. 1t is a succession of surprises
throughout, and the audience is kept on
the qui vive all the time. The two Amer
lean Macs are funnier than ever. Luigi
Del Orc gave finished performance upon
musical instruments, and Benetto and Gam
non twisted themselves into any number
of peculiar shapes. The National Trio
jumped into popularity by their clever rem
dition of popular songs, and Carr and Jor-
dan contributed an original sketch. The
feature of the entertainment was John
Whites trick mules, which cut capers and
proved themselves very intelligent ami
mails. Again tonight.
The philharmonic Club.-Among the chief
attractions at the concert Of the Philhar-
monte Club next Thursday is to be con-
sidered the appearance of Mr.. Victor
Herbert as cello soloist. He is perhaps the
most interesting and versatile genius be-
fore the public A grandson of Samuel
Lover the famous Irish author of Handy
Andy" he is also a composer of unusual
excellence. Besides his delightful songs,
orchestral compositions and an oratorio, he
has composed prince Ananias," the opera
which has just been given fifty consecutive
performances at the Broad" ay Theater by
the Bostonians, and which will be heard
in this city in March. He is now at work
Of nd for Nine Melha