Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-17
ADJUSTMENTS.

djence such as any company might be
proud to play to filled every available
space at the Lafayette Square Opera House
last night, to witness the first presentation
in Washington of Paul NJ. Potter's dram
atization of Du Mauriers story of ''Trilby."
The company that interpreted it was that
assembled by Mr.. A. NJ. Palmer, and the
players were all creators of the parts that
they portrayed. Those who were fascinated
b; i. book will be even more interested
in this play, for here the characters move
and breathe and speak as Du Maurier
would have them. The mounting, too, Is
excellent, the scenery and accessories being
il harmony with the authors descriptions.
The drama;ist has changed somewhat the
motives in the book, the most notable IN
stance being the making of Trilby abandon
Little Billee in obedience to Svengali's hyp-
motto influence, and not sacrifice her own
love for him at his mothers appeal, al
though she does tell Mrs. Baggott that she
will give him up. Then there is the change
in the circumstances surrounding Trilby's
death. But these are perhaps better for
the stage representation, and certainly in
the first instance it gives opportunity of
intense and thrilling acting on the part or
10th Svengali and Trilby. Miss Blanche
Walsh, in face and figure, makes an ideal
Trilby
1t is hard to conceive of a more perfect
Interpretation of the character. In II she
displays her versatility, too. for those who
had heretofore seen her in "AriStocracy
and in the parts she assumed during the
summer comedy season We're hardly pre-
pared for such n perfect presentation of a
character widely at variance with any
in which she had heretofore been seen.
The Tafy of Burr Mcintosh was vivid
realization of Du Mauriers IDEAL in appear
ance action and speech, and the same may
be said of Mr.. Martinettfs Zou Zou, Mr..
Glendennings Laird and Mr.. Gibbs Gecko.
Nine. Cottrelly gave delightful interpre--
ia ton of Nine. Wizard and Mr.. Alfred
Hickman was effective as Little Billee, al
though the character, either in the book
or play, is not one to excite respect or
sympathy. The interest, however, centers
in Svengali. and in his Interpretation of
this revolving and villalnous hypnotist Mr..
Wilton Lackaye has stamped himself as
possessing powers of the most superior
quality. His makeup realizes Du Maui
r:er's description, and his speech, move
ments and play of feature indicate in such
a thrilling and forceful manner the nature
of the scheming musical genius, whose
heart is thoroughly depraved, that all
thought Of his acting is obliterated and his
SvenSali seems to be real. That Nh. Lack
aye can make such character, which can
draw no sympathy from the audience,
dominate all tie others and command the
rapt attention of the audience when he
is on the stage is a triumph of art. His
death scene was horrible in its natural
ness and was entirely free from melC dra-
matte effect The old adage, that a
own country, was disproved in Mr. Lack
ayes case last night. for he was very
warmly received and at the close of the
third act was again and again called be-
fore the curtain. The audience called for
speech, but instead Mr.. A. NJ. Palmer
appeared and expressed his thanks for the
cordial reception given to his company.
Grand Opera House.-"The Globe Trotter''
has more liberal share of consistent COM
p!ication than ordinarily falls to the farci-
II " IA q t.r
comedian. 1t introduced Mr.. William Hoey
at the Grand Opera House last night for the
first time without whiskers. Mr. Hoey has
the happy faculty of getting into the good
graces of his audience on a personal foot
ing, and when, on his entrance, a gamin in
the gallery hailed him with Hello. Bill.''
the entire audience tacitly sympathized in
the genial Spcntaneity of the salute. The
first act of The Globe Trotter" gives rather
somber impression, in spite of the beauti
full sylvan stage setting that is used, and
the enlivenins influence OF several songs.
In the hands of a company of legitimate
comedians The Globe Trotter" might pos
sibly make some impression as straight
comedy; as 1t is, the effect is conglomerate.
The second act, when Mr.. Hoey appears in
feminine garb Uhe play has a not unrefresh-
ing composite flavor of "Erminie" and
"Charley's Aunto, wakens up to a lively
pace of humor. ard the third is positively
hilarious. Miss Matte Vickers is an agree
able comedenne whose German dialect and
music added much to the performance. The
author of the piece, Mr. Louis De Lange,
has evolved some very ingenious situations.
He plays the role of an effete English noble
man. 1t Is small part, but 1t fits him very
well. Mr.. Hoey did not discard THE Man
Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" along
with his beard, and the old song found a
hearty welcome, albeit the presen tation of
II partook largely of the nature of a go-as-
you-pleaSe race with the orchestra. The
production kept the audience in mood of
genia! appreciation, and without introducing
any striking novelties had good modern
flavor and a liberal endowment of wit and
humor. Some of the vocalization was not
pasSable. even fer farce comedy, but the
Kaleidoscope quality of the piece is such
that any urfavorable impression is speedily
removed
National Theater.-NIr. Frederick Ban
croft an expert in the art of magic, new
to Washington audiences, made his first
appearance at the National Theater last
night in an exhibition almost new to
his audience as he was, inasmuch as there
We're specialt.es ana spectacles not usual
with the maSicianS we have known. The
stage settings were extremely elaborate,
and the opening act was almost like a
scene frcm brilliant spectacular show
The first part consisted of a number of
conventional magic tricks, very gracefully
done, though Mr.. Bancroft does not i'm
prove his magic by the wit and humor he
introduces into his talk, for he is really a
very pleasing and skillful wizard aside
from that. The second part is spectacular
with a box trick, in which a full grown
and active young woman disappears mys-
teriously to rise in a beautiful apotheosis.
In this act Miss Katharine Gyhs gives a
graceful exhibition of club swinging. The
third part is the star part of the perform
ance, in which Onri. finely figured young
woman, does slack rope act and follows
it by a skirt dance and Juggling on a roll
ing ball, which in some particulars is I'M
equaed. The scenic surroundings add to
the beauty Of the act and the house was
enthusiastic. The performance ended sea-
sonably with more magic and mystery by
Mr.. Bancroft.
Academy of Music.-Joseph Callahan ap-
peared last night in an electrical and spec
tacular production of Goethe's immortal
Faust" and had very good house. con-
sidering that the dramatic thirst nowadays
can be satisfied only by the new and novel.
1t is hardly necessary to tell the plot Of
the play: but Mr.. Callahan has illuminated
the plot by some striking scenery, and has
introduced much sacred classic music by
two Faust quartets, so that his Faust is
considerably out of the ordinary. Mr.. Cal
| lahan's Mephsto is rather robust than
| otherwise, and he is disposed to conquer by
| force rather than by tinesse AT least
| that is the impression given by his inter-
| pretation, for Mr.. Callahan is an athletic
| devil to the eye. Quite an attractive Mar
guerite is that of Miss Beatrice Ingram,