The morning times., 1895-11-26
FASHIONABLES saw KlLTS
Rob Roy at the NATIONAL Merry
World at Aliens.
and Irrepressible Widow Jones
Plays of the Week.

/
Rob Roy" DeKovcn and Smiths tune
full Scottish opera. was produced by the
Fred c. Whitney Opera Company at the
New National Theaser last night before
the largest and most fashio ma Bile audience
that has gathered in that house this sea-
| son.
| Mr.. DeKoven has given the piece
score that borders closely upon gra nd
opera in. the strength and quality OF its
music. Some OF the solos and choruses
| the modern comic opera. notably the en-
| semble at the end OF The first act and
Juliette Gardens heather song
| TIE opera is magnificentiy staged. and
! the scenery and costumes are handsomer
than any seen here I'm some time.
| Rob Roy" has won a great success ON
| the intrinsic merit Of Its music aIuue, and
| yet there is bot an ,atr In the entire opera
| that VIII be whlstled on the streets taday.
| Much of its popularity has been gained
| through the excellence Of the cast, for such
people as Lizzie Naenichol, William Pruett,
Juliette Gordon and. Richard Carroll would
make any opera fUccessful. Miss Mac
nichols popularity among the people OF
her native city was fully attested by the
storm of applause which greeted her ap-
pearance.
| MIR. Pruett, another washInetonian, sang
! the title role with all the fervur true
Highland chief should possess. Mr.. Carroll
as the trembling Mayor of Perth proved
himself capable comedian.
Miss Gordon as Janet, the mayors daugII-
! ter carried her role well, although she
slightly toyed with the key in some of her
| solos.
The chorus was evidently selected for
| its musical ability, aud contains a large
number of well trained voices.
The Merry World" which was presented
at the Grand Opera House last night, is
| well termed by The SPONSORS OF the or
ganization, "A dramatic pousse cafe, con
taiuing everything but plot"
1t Is a burlesque OF stage fads, acted
| with spirit and genuine sympathy, with
the witty absurditcs OF its authors, aud
is costuIned handsomely.
The whistiiug OF Louis GranGt, in the
uewsboy exhibit, was marvelously tunerul
and elaborate, pleasing the upper galleries
particularly well.
Madame Sans Gene" satirical re-
view OF Sarduu's play, as enthusiastically
received by the pnblic, was in the hands
OF artists whu rapidly developed its weak
points. amid bursts ut appreciative laughter.
ii iss Amelia Sununeryil!e acted the sprightly
washerwoman charniiDgly, adding greatly
10 the value nf the performance by her sweet
toned. welltTained Voice.
The Jolly exhibit y Around the Comic
Operas" touched sharply the light musical
performances, ror which the houses where
the legitimate drama is being seriously
treated, are deserted. De Wolf Hopper
was treated 10 ridiculous take Off, Della
Fox and her troopers of last season initiated
to perfection, De Kovens' opera heroes and
heroines made to criticse their own actions
scathingly. David warfieid, Willard sinims,
and Frank Elafr introduced excellent
specialties, and Ia petite Adeia ide, a vision
of grace and youth, danced like q fairy.
"TrilSy,' was saved tor The last keenly
satrical in tone. and revealing every flaw
of the unstinted apprubation with which
/ IL has been received.
The Merry World, is bright, full Of catchy
airs. admirable dancing. and all around
fun, and Will undoubtedly play to crowded
houses
May Irwin and the widow Jones'"
! fresh from their long run in New York
! opened for a weeks run at the Academy
| or NJ Gsic last night TO house that was
| packed to the doors. While Miss Irwin
has u company with her that contains tie
! Dames of many prominent comedians, her
| fund of natural hun.or is. nevertheless, SO
| pronounced that she completely over
| shadows them
The play itself strays very little out
| of the ordinary. One leaves with the iTD-
preston that it. would not be good but
for Miss Irwin"
Miss Irwin introduces the song which
| received such great reception in New
| York, Il Want Yer, Ma Honey" 1t is
| almost as god as the air that made Miss
| Irwin SO fa.noas when she was with Peter
! Daley, Mamie. iCoRie Kiss Yunr Honey
| Boy. The chorus has not quite the same
| swing and dash 10 r., bat is sufficient To
1 ar no foot aud hapfs of the 1vGlpn..a
| a-Moying. The New Bully" forced Miss
| irwin to respond to many recalls.
| Tue play itself has not mach tn IL. being
| iust sHrh a conglhnieration as the Country
| Sport" and uther plays by the same author.
John c. Rice very ably supports Miss
| Irwin as Billy Bike, =" the proniuter." Ada
| Lewis, IS Felicity Jones, makes perfect
new wcuan." Joseph NJ. Sparks deserves
/ especial mention for the style in which lie
carries orr the part uf Michael Mccarthy,
the Maine farmer.
Dcnman ThOmpson's famous play. ''Old
| Homestead was performed last night be-
fore an audience which taxed the capacity
OF Manager Albaugh's beautiful LaIay-
| cite Square Theater.
| The play is not new to Washington au-
| dicnces. but people will go TO see it as
long as there are actors 90 interpret
simple story of New England life.
THE scenery is rev, novel and home
Ike" and the stage lighting and eiectri-
cal effects perfect, notably in the last
| scenc of the first act. which presents
| sgdden thunder shower. This was as near
natural as it is possible.
Tie company is an exceptionally strong
| one, the various actors for the most
| part having appeared together number
| of years.
| Mr.. George Wilson, weli-known far years
| as Il member of the Boston Museum Conn
pauy, enacts the part OF Joshua Whit
| comb as naturally as if he had been born
the character. VIII Cressy and Charles
| Clark as Cy Prime aud Seth Perkins, the
| two old boys, were excellent
Fred Clare as Happy JACK not only sinss
well, but his assumption of the difficult
| part of a tramp is excellent, and lie fits
the part to perfection. j. j. Morgan as Eb
| Gauzy aud C. NJ. Richardson as the fiddler
| are splendid presentations.
| R. J. Jose, he of the sweet tenor voice,
| long a feature of minstrelsy, sang hum-
Der of songs, assisted by 4 double quartet
| OF male singers.
| Miss Marie kimball as Aunt Tilly Whit
| comb was wen received. Miss Lillian
Stoue, Miss Luckstone and Blanche Dayne
performed their parts in natural nian-
uer and to the liking of all.
| OF the stage sets. Grace Church by night,
| with its splendid chimes. and the old Kitchen
at the homestead with its country dance,