The evening times., 1896-02-19
COMING TO raE -FHEATERs.
CRISP COMMENTS
BY (OMpETANT CRITICS.

In view of the many sfarcical and gencr-
ally light order of stage productions that
have moIopol lizct. thu ztnhuon OF theater-
soers for some time pas ,if is ute refresh
Ing to welcome a play sgicfi as For Fair Viz
ginia'' premises 10 p,ose at tie lafayette
Square Opera House ntSEweek.
This Is the pay that lasf season created
such a surprise at the View York Fifth
Avenue Theater when IL Was pTesented for
the first time and met with exceptionally
high favor. -
Without the aid OF sensational or conveu-
tional methods, the althor, Mr.. Russ
whytal, secured results that place his name
among the most worthy OF American dram
atists. For Fair Virginia belongs to
no particular class OF dramatic offerings.
1t occupies a unique and interesting po-
sition as a play calculated to win the heart
lest approval of all classes OF amusement
patrons.
Intensely dramatic, throughout sue
cession or vigorous actions, IL affords
wide range for comedy success. and the
author has taken Advantage of the oppor-
tunities with cOnsunmate skill and delicate
liberties.
For Fair Virginia is a Southern play
with iust enough reference to the late un-
pleasantness TO make it paiatablc. Mr.
whytal himself and Mrs. Whytal. together
with all the members OF the original cast
and every detail OF Tie beautiful scenery
and artistic features employed in the New
York and Chicago triunlpbs, will add
interest to the production.
The National will present as its next at
traction, Charles Hoyt's famous farce
comedy, "A Trip 10 Chinatown" which
has the credit of having surpassed all pre-
yious runs of any play of any character
known to the stage OF a Metropolitan
theater. -
For 656 consecutive nights "A Trip to
Chinatown, crowded Hoyt's Theater in
the city of New York. Author Hoyt brings
to the National next week for this engage
ment the original New York cast in its en-
tire,y, Including Harry CoTor as Welland
Strong, Geraldine McCann. Myra Moreila,
George Richards, Jose shalders, Sadie
Kirby. Madge Deane, julius Witmark,
Richard Kari and Harry Gilfoil.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Ma
tional has almost lmitless resources us
far as scenery is concerned, the manage
ment, in order TO make tits production
perfect, will bring carioadol scenery rom
the New York house, making the production
Identical, even TO the smallest detail,
with that given at Hoyt's Theater.
Among the new musical numbers that
will be heard may be mentioned the Pretty
Widow" Keep Knockin',' Put Me
Off Mt RuffalO," "Reuben and Cynth1a,
Dearest" "Excepting Jack" "Only One
Girl in the World For Me. "a Night at the
PLAY, 1.-The Sunshine of Paradise Alley"
and many other selections original with
this play, including, OF course, the ever
welcome ION the Bowery," written up
to date.
Primrose & Vests big minstrels will be
at the Academy next week. Every season
since its organization Primrose & West have
visited our city and found always substan-
tial welcome.
Their repeated success is owing to the
fact of the united excellence of their organi-
zation, the rtistic merit of each performer.
the refinement of their entert rtainment, the
novelty and pleasing attractiveness OF their
introductions. and, whether vocal or instru-
mental. the superiority OF their music.
Another potent factor offheir success and
reason OF recurring weteome lay in the fact
that their announcemdntswere always real
lied by the expeciaDt pablic, whose con-
fidence they have thus won and retained
Their enteri ainment this season is said to be
especially attractive in sweet songs, in
PRODUCTIONS. original aud entertaining.
The organization Of *hites and blacks,
headed by Primrose 4 West, is said to be
the greatest agsre gaiiea ever gotten to-
gether They include the highest min
strelic talent available comedians, musi-
clans, vocalists and sIIecialty artists.