Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-07
ADJUSTMENTS.


the present time. attention rests pleasant
ly, almost affectionately, in Robert Man
tell, who appeared last night at the Grand
Opera House. He is an actor Of conscien-
tious methods, and one who has won loyal
admirers from all classes, from the cush-
ions of the parquet to the polished benches
of the gallery. The play last night was
''The Corsican Brothers," one which pre-
sents the element of romantic heroism, to-
gether with a touch of the gruesome, in a
way that permanently endears 1t to the
popular fancy. So long has its mystery
been paraded to the public that it would
be not surprising to find q disposition to
take 1t seriously no longer. But the fasci-
ration holds. Possibly it is due to the art
of tie actor, who charms by what he sug
gests, rather than by what he does He
has personality at once commanding and
genial, and he invests the performance in
which he appears with an interest which
survives the deficiencies which may pre-
sent themselves in the supporting cast
1t is a matter for regret that there are
not more plays of the class in which MIR.
Mantell appears to advantage. While the
old ones are still welcomed by the never
depleted ranks of the unfamiliar, it would
be pleasure to his old admirers to see
him oftener in new roles.
Lafayette Square Opera House.-When
an audience has seen and heard Mr.. W.
Father" by Miss Martha Morton, it won
ders If 1t is "a purpose" play. and If so. is
the purpose to teach fathers to keep their
hands of their daughters when they mar
.ry, or to teach the men that a father-in-
law can be as d.sagreeable and as super
ffuous i'll house as mother-in-law was
ever accused of being. AS Miss Morton
has never INDUCED in parents-in-law of
her purpose, she has no personal interest
IN the matter. She has, however, written
play, which, in the hands of Mr.. Crane
and a capable company, as presented at
the Lafayette Square Opera House last
night. is at times funny, at times pathetic
and all the time interesting. How It would
be in the hands Of players less capable is
a matter Of doubt. For surety it Is not
many others of Mr.. Cranes pieces. The
play had its initial production here last
spring, and then was taken to New York,
where it had an extended run. Wherever
it has been produced since it has been well
received. The cast includes Miss Annie
O'Neiil, Mrs. Kate Denim Wilson, Miss
Eleanor Barry, Miss Dallas Tyler, Miss
Carlisle "a s,,,; Miss u Mont ague, Mr. VIM Boag,
Mr.. Percy Brook, Mr.. De We're and Mr..
Tyler, and 1t is scarcely necessary to say
that what they did was we'll done. Mr..
Crane is always in touch with his audi
with hearty response. The audience was
q fashionable one, and thoroughly enjoyed
itself notwithstanding.
New National Theater.-The audience at
the New National Theater last night was
only fair in it's numerical proportions, not
withstanding the fact that w. S. Gilbert
was the name with which the management
conjured. His Excellency" proved to be a
clever literary coEceit, not In Mr.. Gilbert's
best vein, but still wealthy in those too
rare gems of dramatic composition|deas.
Although 1t would be fattery to say that
the music, by DIR. Osmond Carr, is ordi-
nary, the company has been selected with
view to its singing capacities rather than
with the regard to developing the comedy
upon which the attractions of the piece
mainly depends. The result Is depressing
waste of material Good voices have moth
Ing to do that is worthy Of their capabil-
tiles, and much of the humor is lost for
want Of natural ability for it's interpreta-
tion But with all these disadvantages, the
sparkle of Gilbertian wit makes it's way to
the surface, and there are many enjoyable
scenes. The most prominent member of
the cast was John LIE Hay, who, by means
of the exaggeration in his makeup and by
his humorous powers, created a large share
OF the evenings fun from minor role.
cantatrice, and Mabel Love is a graceful
dancer. Julius Stiger has very good pres
ence and sings WELL but there is nothing in
either the cast or the piece itself which
compares to the disadvantage Of what is
being done with far less flourish in our
own country.
Academy of Music.-It was vaudeville
night at the Academy last night and 1t was
good show. The Trocadero Vaudevilles
with Eugene Sandow, the strongest man
In the world, as the star, include excellent
specialists in all branches. then Sandow
completed the program with his usual feats
of strength, with a new one-the Tomb of
Hercules, in which he lifts all his para
phernalia and attendants, a weight of $500
pounds.
aDce somewhat out of the ordinary was
given at kernan's last night by Sam T.
Jacks my Uncle" Company. The greater
part of the evening is devoted to bright
whose reputation for getting up and par
ticipating in breezy entertainments is well
known. The play, which consumes more
than half the evening, deals with the
pranks of young man with his rich old
uncle. There is ample opportunity afford
ed for funny situations, and broad jokes
all of which are taken advantage of. The
company interpreting the play is capable.
George Beban was the comedian and
proved equal to his part. A short olio fol-
lowed the play, during which Raymond
and Clark, the acrobats and the singers
contributed ten minutes Of wholesome en-
tertainment. Lew Palmer, the monologue
artist, was also heard, and the California
Lancers was danced by the company Of
pretty girls.
Delorme's Gil eat Painting.-Hubert E. De-
lorme's famous painting, 1.-The Black
smith, will be on exhibition at Veerhoff's
galleries tomorrow. This picture is prob
ably the most noteworthy that has been
exhibited in this city for some time. 1t is
rena rkable for its coloring and drawing
and the bold treatment of the subject. The
galleries will be open all day and evening.
"Battlefelds of the World.'-Rev. W. A.
Spencer, D. D., of Philadelphia will de-
liver lecture at the Metropolitan M. E.
Church tonight, at o'clock, on the Bat
tlefields of the World" The lecture is for
the benefit of the Sunday school and G. A.
r. Representative ]. A. Picker of South
Dakota will preside.
Facts Worth Knowing.
Sound moves about 743 miles per hour.
The Chinese invented paper 10 B. c.
The first watches were made in 1746
Rome was founded by Romulus in 752 BIC.
Only one person in 1000 dies from old
age. i.
An inch of rain means 100 tons of water
on every ere.