Evening star., 1896-10-10
AMUsEMENTS.

win, COmedtenne OF remarkable clever
ness and popularity. and who entertains
her large following with fun in its best,
brightest and most exhilarating phases
comes to the Lafayette Square Theater
next Monday evening for an engagement
of one week in John J. McNally's cleverest
and most successful farce comedy, 1.-THE
Widow Jones'" Miss Irwin was never bet
ter fitted with a role than in 1.-The Widow
Jones'" The leading character brings into
play all her finest qualities as q come
dienne, and she invests 1t with the delight
full magnetism. unfagging good humor,
spontaneous high spirits and ready wit
which are part of herself, and unimit-
able. Aside from her fine abilities as
comedienne, Miss Irwin has no superior in
the line Of vaudeville entertainment. Her
delightful bits of comic recitation, her
part of the history Of the stage. AS a de-
lineator in song of the southern darkey she
has no equal. Last season her singing of
The New Bully" and II Want Yer, Ma
Honey" as side issues in 1.-The Widow
JONES', created sensation. The former
song. 1t may be mentioned, she still re-
tains IN her repertoire. To it are added
veritable gem in quaint negro melody, and
Ma Onl1est One fitting successor to
.! Want Yer. Ma Honey" There are plenty
OF other new songs and entertaining fea-
lures In THE Widow JONES'" and, as Miss
Irwin is surrounded by company of play
ers who are not only clever comedians, but
skilled vaudeville artists as well, they will
De given with all one effect. In the sup
porting organization are John c. Rice. JOS
N. Sparks. Jacques Kruger, George w.
Barnum, Charles Church, Roland Carter,
Ada Lewis. Hattie Williams, Sally Cohen,
Eta Gilroy. Kathleen Warren, Margery
Teal. Clara Palmer and Mabel Powers.
There will be Wednesday and Saturday
matinees during Miss Irwin's engagement.
Sunshine Of Paradise Alley."-"The Sun
shine of Paradise Alley will be the next
attraction at the Lafayette. The play
boasts OF no plot to speak of. 1t is COM
posed OF four acts-pictures they are called
IN the program-and in and through these
the occupants Of the alley live and move in
hanr,, tnelr everyday sort of life, sometimes
Happy. sometimes sad. but always, until
the close. with the stain Of poverty and
arlnk upon them. 1t is to remove the
former by banishing the latter that the
daughter Of Widow McNally directs her
eiinot' ana merely gives wholesome
ooJect lesson In the cause Of temperance
Grand Opera House-Rich and Maeder.s
Comedians In the musical farce comedy "A
Pair OF Jacks" will appear at the Grand
opera House one week, commencing Oc-
to1er % " The play Is by H. Grattan Don
Later On" ETC., but this is conceded to be
MS best effort, His treatment Of "A Pair
oI Jacks Is conceded to be so exhilara ting
humorous. yet refined. that theater-
goers caa readily enjoy it's rich fun. The
acton Is amazingly rapid, and complica-
tlons follow each other in such quick sue
cesslon as to make the laughter continuous
There will be a full accompaniment of
songs, dances and new and novel special
ties. There are large number of minor
incidents in "A Pair of Jacks" which keep
Things moving along happily, and the gen
eral result Is OF most satisfactory char
acter. Among the people whom the man
agement have engaged for this production
are Sol Aiken. Udelle and Pearce. Dave
Andrada, Geo. Ricketts,, Jessie West, Julia
Aiken, Marion Gray. Nellie Blanchard
ana nora }. Stanley. who posses more than
the ordinary amount of ability in their
lines, and the sure to add much to the gen
uine fun of the comedy.
New National Theater.-Hoyt's "a Tenn
perance Town" will be the attraction at
the New National Theater next week
Academy Of Music.-Wm Barry will be
seen at the Academy of Music next week
The Bijou Theater.-The attraction at the
Bi5ou Family Theater next week. with
daily matinee, Is the Atkinson Comedy
Company in an entire new version Of
Peck.s Bad Boy" play which has de-
lighted thousands Of grown people and
made millions of children merry. 1t
Dot Karroll. who assumes the charac-
ter OF the Bad Boy" Fred Wenzel. who
has been connected with this play since
II nrst went on the road. still plays the
fNAe u ehS hutCH 1ICCefyndn, ana the
rest Of the cast includes W. H. MCPHERSON
Fred. Anderton, Bert Hale, Master James
Barber, the hoy TENOR" Will McDermott
J. c. Welsh. Carrie Gay, Julie Franks
Louise kerlin, Wilma Rogers and Abbie
Heath.
tells beautiful and realistic production,
THE South Before the War;" has been Sc
cured by Manager Herman for his attrac-
ton next week. when his play house should
be filled with an audience of large proper
tions as this attraction is without doubt
ore OF the largest and best that will visit
this city. 1t Is made up of both white and
colored persons, with the latter predom-
mating. The singing by four quartets Is
without an equal, and with large chorus Of
jubilee singers, the colored camp meeting
with all the characters that usually attend
such gatherirg gs. combine to create one
continuous peal of laughter and through it
all runs romantic story of deep interest
that Is picturesque and enjoyable. All are
given opportunity to display their various
talents in singing and dancing. car load
of scenery is carried, ard the production
has been one continuous success wherever
produced. A parade starts at II o'clock
Monday morning from the theater.
Willard Holcomb, the dramatic writer OF
this city, appears on the list of contribu-
tors to the new volume on American
Actors Of Today" just issued from the
press of Thos. Y. CroWell & Co. 1t is made
up Of critical sketches Of leading American
actresses and actors Of the day.. from the
pens of representative critics and dramatic
writer's Of the country. Mr.. Holcomb takes
Clara Morris for his subject. and in terse
al ticle, not sparing of just criticism, classi-
fes her as the leading realistic Camille OF
the American STAGE.
Last Appearance Of the Dogs and Ponies
1t would undoubtedly be profitable for the
Sipe Doman & Blake dog and pony show
to remain in Washington for another week
for this very clever entertainment has
made an immensely big hit with our amuse
ment-loving public. Tonight, however, will
witnes sthe closing performance. All the
dogs and ponies have become favorites, anG
1t was not an uncommon sight after the
performances were over to see several hun
dred people remain to caress the pretty lit
tie dumb actors. The privilege given the
children to ride the ponies after the show
| has proved a very pleasant feature. 1t /:
expected that the show will return tt
Washington next season.
Rev. DR.. Stafford's Lecture.-Dr. Stat
fords lecture at the new Gonzaga Colleg'
Hall tomorrow night will, without th'
slightest doubt, attract the largest au
| dience that that structure has yet held
| The subject is 1.-The Catholic Church
Our Age and Country" DIR. Stafford ha!
been heard in Washington on a variety O.
| themes, but the one chosen for tomorrow
night will give him unlimited opportunite!
| to show his abilities in rhetoric and elocu