Evening star., 1896-02-11
ADJUSTMENTS.

lard and an excellent company entertained
good-sized audience at Aliens Grand
Opera House last night. There was
charming curtain raiser, dramatization
of Richard Harding Davis story. "Her
First Appearance" under the title Of '"The
Littlest Girl that was splendidly put upon
the stage and was excellently done, and
then came the three-act comedy, "Lost-2i
Hours" which told the story Of Mr.. Dick
Swift, who took advantage Of the absence
of his wife to indulge in some of the pleas
ures that he had enjoyed during his bach
elor days. His wife's unexpected return re-
suits in a series of complicated situations.
verything is untangled In the end. and the
husband and wife are happy. Mr.. Hilliard
has part that peculiarly fits him. and he
plays 1t splendidly. Grant Stewards David
was an excellent characterization patterned
distinct individuality, and the Solomon
Goldstein of Harry Rogers was a clever
piece of work. Miss Ffolliott Paget's abili-
ty is well known, and she has rarely been
Of Mrs. Dacre. the woman of the world.
Miss Stella Kenney, as the trusting wife,
was effective, and Miss Frances White
house. as the maid, was bright and breezy
Churchill. by Misses Sydney Cowell and
Eleanor Grey, were thoroughly unique and
j st.fied the appellation given them by Mrs:
Dacre of the Brownies. The dialogue of
the play IS bright and at times witty. The
situations are extremely amusing, except
the climax to the second act, which is
hardly up to the standard. The audience
was liberal in its applause, and seemed to
erjoy the piece heartily.
Lafayette Square Opera House.-If Nell
Gwynne," which Mile Rheas programs an
nc unto was written expressly for her by
Mr.. Paul Kester, had been produced under
more favorable circumstances than those
with which it Is surrounded, it would sure
ly have been popularity recognized as one of
the dramatic achievements Of the period
AS 1t Is there Is no difficulty in recognizing
in the play n mastery piece of work one
or the very best of numerous productions
in which the dazzling artificialities of life
at court constitute the chief inspiration. 1t
suggests Beau Brummell," but 1t has
dramatic strength which that play does not
equal in any point Of it's action. 1t has,
Eere and there, a remin!scence of Mime
Sans Gene" and, indeed, it seems possible
that 1T would have taken rank with that
play, had 1t been given the lavish mount
ing and the excellent cas-. which it would
so we'll have fitted. The ingenuity with
which the author reaches the climaxes in
the play proves nim to be a tasteful con-
structionist OF the wit it is not easy to
judge, for in repartee as much depends on
the manner of the saying as on what is
actuaily said: The supporting cast has evil
IDENTIFY had the ben Eft of patient elocution-
ary training. But tie elaborate care with
which the emphasis is measured out syl-
liable by syllable, gives the impression al
tlmes or the raw recruit from the school
or acting rather than the finished per-
former, whose end eavors might be so hap
ply bestowed. Mile Rhea herself, although
she h?s passed many years in this country
speaks with an accent which interferes
greatly with the enjoyment of her work
But IL spite of this drawback ard Of the
fact that her talent is lachrymose rather
than genial, she won the audience to her
POI ltrayal of the rollicking orarge girl and
Interpreted the scenes provided for her in
manner which prompted enthusiastic cur
tain calls. On Thursday, Friday and Satur-
day, Mile Rhea will play Josephine"
National Theater.-Mr. Sol Smith Russell
appeared in two new plays at the National
Theater last night He also made a speech
amidst applause. This speechmaking sof
Sofs has come to be a part of the play and
Is always an enjoyable feature, as much to
MIN as to any one else. The first play was
a. little one-act affair, Mr. Valentines s
Christmas" dainty bit of an old bachel-
cr's dream OF his sweethearts Of bygonc
years. 1t was poetic, pretty and pathetic
put the audience present lost much of it's
caused by late comers This was followed
by An Every Day Man." a three-act do
mestic comedy by Miss Marguerite Mering-
ton, which is interesting by reason of Mr.
Russelrs presence In 1t and not by it's own
qualities. Mr.. Russell Is, as usual a guile
less hero. The play does not bring out Mr.
Russells best points do the others we
have known him in. although in whatever
| quaintness and pleasing innocence that come
as breath of fresh air into a crowded
room. Mr.. Russell was happily supported
by Miss Radcliffe, Miss Fernandez. Mrs.
Fanny Addison Pitt. Mr.. Mackay, Mr. Hud-
son. Mr.. DeEham Mr.. Woodward, Mr.. East
Mr.. Lowe and Mr.. Allen. OF these Mr.
Mackay. Mr.. Hudson and Mrs. Pitt are our
summer comedy. company friends while
Mr.. Denham and Mr.. Lowe are Washing
tonians of years standing. The stage set
tings were unusually fine and quite artistic,
the lights In the first play lending most
pleasing effects to the rich, dark furnishing
of the old bachelors apartment
Academy Of Mus:c.-The audience at the
| Academy last night was treated to quite a
| novelty in stage presen tation and costum-
ing, to wit: Bonnie Scotland" piotur-
| esque drama in four acts, by Sidney R. Ell
| lis. AS the name indicates. the play, is
| Scotch. the scenes are all laid in Scotland,
| and the incidents grow out of one of the
| famous and frequent feuds among the clans.
| Mr.. Frank Lander and Mr.. George Khnt
| well represent the clans. McFarlane and
| Colquhoun and Miss Selma Herman and
| Miss Violet Black are their pretty sweet
hearts. Robert V. Ferguson. a Washington
| boy, was excellent as Herbane McWharry,
The play is strong in situation and incident,
! and the costumes are historically accurate
| and interesting in this era of the dress suit
| drama. The music and singing are quite
| Scotch, and the audience can almost see
| the heather.
4 IL
| drew's P. Z. Church there will be an enter
| tainment by the original Swiss Family Bell
| Ringers, assisted by well-known local tai
| ent The program will be we'll arranged,
| and all the numbers will be attractive The
| Swiss Family are the best of the bell ringer
organizations, their work being more varied
| and artistic, and they have always received
| the highest praise for the excellent effects
| produced The local talent will include
| well-knowi vocalists and instrumental per-
| formers. whose efforts cannot fail to please
1t Is expected that the church will be
| crowded.
Kernan's Lyceum Theater.-This week T.
| e. Miaco has company at Kernans, and
1t fully represents his ability as manager
| Although this is the second appearance OF
| the, show this season, there is enough novel
| ty introduced to warrant those who saw II
| before to make the journey again. The
| specialtes are above the average, and the
burlesque full of spirit. The curtain raises
| on The City Club in Gay Paree," intro
| ducing all the favorites. Tom Nolan has
| a budget Of new songs, and Miss Minnie
Bronson sings herself into popularity with
| out any trouble. Bryant and Fulton prove
| themselves popular merry makers, and give
a sketch that is very funny Paula and
| Dika, the French dancers, are excellent
Fields and Woodley close the olio with a
| sketch, and then comes a spicy afterpiece
"A Tempting Town." well produced. The