The Washington times., 1895-02-17
COMING TO THE THEATERS.

Mr. John Drew will begin weeks engage
ment at the National Theater on Monday
evening in Henry Guy Cartoons new play,
'The Butterflies" Mr.. Drew stands in the
foremost rank OF light comedians, and 1t is
not difficult to explain the cause OF his un
questionable popularity. BE delivers his
comedy lines in racy, nonchalent manner
that is characteristic of society men. club
men, and men about town in real life. There
does not seem to be any other actor at the
present time who can reproduce this man with
the same degree of naturalness that John
Drew impartsto 10 every.character he assumes.
When the grease paint is OF his face there is
little or no suggestion OF the.acto about John
Drew. He does not pull his moustache at
home as he does on the stage, or roll his eyes
in the same doleful way, or even slick down
the hair on the top of his head.
Nobody who has not seen Mr.. Drew put up
his right hand, and with the palm polish the
hair on the upper right side of.his head with
sometimes quiet little flip with finger or
two over the hair on the left side would fancy
that ii was anything but chronic habit at
tached to the mans whole life. II is habit,
but il is a habit OF the stage, and it bothers
Mr.. Drew nowhere else. The plot OF ''The
Butterflies tells Of a young society man who
has squandered his money in idle living and
at last buckles down to hard work and wins
the girl he loves. The girls mother is poor,
worldly ambitious, and intent on marrying
her daughter TO a man with money. The
scenes are laid in a iashi enable hotel at st.
Augustine, Fla, ana at fashionable Lenox,
Mass.
AT Buffers Biiou Theater all this week,
opening on Monday evening, on which occa-
sion the stage mechanics Will have their first
annual benefit. Charles H. Hoyt's merry
farce-comedy, "a Bunch of Keys" will be
the attraction. The very funny hotel scene
in this piece is acknowledged to be the clever
est ever put on any stage. Tho plot OF this
rafting satire is the same as ever, but a lot OF
new lines ard business have been introduced
so as to give it freshness. and an up-to-date
/ performance is promised. The three princi-
pal characters are in the hands OF very clever
] people. Ada Bothner, q soubrette, in Teddy,
| is very bright, and her impersonation of the
drummer in the last act is one of the best
parts of her performance. Charles w. Bow
ser appears as Snaggs, which is his original
creation. The Grimes OF the company Is
Harry Foy, who Is new to the theater-goers
here. He does clever singing and dancing
speciality. Besides the regular Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saturday matinees an extra
holiday matinee will be given on Washing
toms Birthday. Souvenir photographs of
Ada Bothner, IN the character of Teddy. will
be given TO every lady and child attending
any OF the matinees.
A rare treat is promised Washington in the
production of grand opera to be given by
Abbey, Schoeffel d Grau's unriyaled aggre-
galion of world-famous singers in the Grand
Dr.ar IInrac oh md
noon and night of February %. This series
OF performances will mark an epoch in the
music history OF this city. Never before has
such brilliant galaxy Of artists been an
nounced for an appearance here.
Thursday evening, February q, Wagner's
great musical drama, 'Lohengrin, will be
sung with Nine. Nordica in the role of Elsa,
and N. Jean de Reszke as LohengriD Fri
day night, the 22d. one OF Giuseppe Yerdi's
later works, '-Otello," will be given with
Nine. Emma Eames Mrs. Story as Desde-
mona, and Signor Tamagno as Otello. NJ.
Maurel. who created The part, will appear as
the subtle lago. His Characterization and
powerful acting of the part makes 1t the
greatest Iago of the age.
At the Saturday matinee. the 23d. Gounod's
ever-popular opera, Faust" will be pre-
sented, with Madame Melba as Margherita,
VI. Jean de Reszke rs Faust and NJ. Edouard
de Reszke as Meflsto; Saturday night, the
-Out mdSocucL OpeId, MduOu, MIG.
Sybil Sanderson in the leading role. II will
be remembered that il was her wonderful
voice which SO charmed Massenet that he
wrote this opera and created the heroine for
her, and she was the original Of the char
acter.
Besides those already mentioned Nine.
Scalchi, Sig. Ancona, NJ. Plancon, and all of
the regular company will sing in the different
performances. The original singers. scenery
costumes, ballet, and accessories of the New
York productions will be here. Sig. Bevignan
and Sig. MancinelI are the conductors.
The grand fairy spectacular ballet, "Cin-
derella," will be presented at Aliens Grand
| Opera House on next Wednesday afternoon
at 2 O clock and at s O'Clock in the evening.
The performance will be given with all the
best effects of staging, charming costumes,
calcium lights, the magic fountain, the ponies,
the golden chariot, and other requisites for
| the spectacle.
Among the many beautiful features OF the
scenery will be the grotto of the fairies. the
fairy queen in her shell car, dance OF the
fairies, Cinderella going to the ball in q
| chariot drawn by Alsatian and Craggie, two
real ponies, belonging to little TilIie
| Schneider; the grand ballroom in the third
act, and minuet by the whole court, and
| twelve special dances, each by different
fairy. There is, of course, the home of Pedro
and Cinderella and the trial of the slipper.
! The cast of characters includes Edna
Hurst. Alice Norris, Laura Laupp, Ralph Lee
Gait. Nellie Hunt. Charles BehreLs. Ethel
Tucker. Annie Pearle Evans, Maud Sharpe,
Mark Lansburgh, Johnnie Campbell, Joseph
ireland, Eugene Walter, Winnie Hurst. Ar
| thur Benzler, Arthur Klotz, L. Stanford Hen
dricks. and Harry Klotz. The production is
under the direction of Prof. Sheldon.
When a vaudeville organization contains
SO much real talent as the New York Stars,
which comes to the Lyceum next week, it
cannot help but be appreciated by the lovers
of refined variety. The company is composed
| of European as well as American artists who
have been selected especially for this organi-