Evening star., 1896-09-22

tic. Mr.. Graham. in the comedy role of Ross
Bolter. made a hit at his first appearance
and Kept up the good impression through
out the evening. He was ably assisted by
Miss Bella Vivian, Violet Moore and Becky
Kaufman, two bright little girls; while Miss
Ida Bell. as the American girl, was a prime
tavorite from the beginning. The plot to
the work Is rather complicated and ii is not
on new lines. 1t deals with a secret mar
rage between Jasmine and Philip. and the
rejected suitor about to foreclose q mort
goge on the old place when the play opens.
The actor-manager. Ross Bolter comes on
the scene and through his aid and intelli-
gence Jasmine is led to openly avow that
Philip Is her husband. The subsequent acts
are full of dramatic incident and follow the
history Of the young couple through the
poverty of the mother and her twin chill
dren, the fight Of Philip for the earldom
which rightfully belongs to him, and the
plotting Of the rejected suitor. 1t ends,
however, in the recognition of the children
ard the union of the family, after Philip
has obtained his estates. The play Is laid
very much on the lines OF the modern novel,
but is pleasing withal. giving ample opportu-
nifty for the principals in the cast to show
their abilities in both the pathetic and
humorous sides of the characters. ''The
American Girl" will continue all this week,
with the usual matinees.
Academy Of Music.-Jolly. tovial. genial
"A Gay Old Boy" opened the week at the
Academy last night to a full house. AL
though the play has been seen here before
once and Mr.. Hart many times, the COM
bination does not seem to have lost any
thing by acquaintance, but rather to have
added attractiveness for Washington thea
tergoers. The play is a musical farce written
for the purpose of amusing and II does
all that its author had in mind for II to DO.
Joseph Hart is given ample opportunity for
the display of his wit and humor, and the
rlay abounds in new airs and funny situa-
tions all the way through. Mr.. Hart, as
who falls in love with the pretty actress
and marries her before the limit set by his
wife's will has expired is side-splitting. and
Is ably assisted by the members Of his COM
pany. He is well backed up by Miss Nellie
Hartley. Miss Carrie De Mar and Fleurette
while the special turns and songs are up
to a high standard. One of these. a new
song entitled THE Bad, Bad Nigger,"
proved to be one of the hits of the evening,
and Fleurette's dancing was also a feature
The handling Of the orchestra by Mr.. w. H.
Machette, the musical director OF Mr.
Harts company. contributed in no small
dances. "a Gay Old Boy" will continue at
the Academy all this week. with the usual
natinecs.
Annie Lewis Benefit-The sale OF re-
served seats for the benefit to be rendered
Miss Annie Lewis at the Academy Of Music
next Friday afternoon was begun today.
Miss Lewis has been III for more than a
year. and, although her physician enter
tsins strong hopes OF her ultimate re-
covery. he insists that she spend the COM
ing winter in the mountains of New Mexi-
co. where, 1t is hoped the change OF air
will greatly benefit the popular little act
ress and hasten her recovery. There is no
need to introduce Annie Lewis to Wash
ington theatergoers. Besides being a native
of this city, she has achieved signal Sue
cess in the role of a soubrette, and her
many friends and acQuaintances in this
city will gladly welcome the chance to
show their appreciation OF her talents.
The benefit, aside from the fact that the
Lewis the desired trip to the SOUTH will be
one that will be fully worth the money
| expended by those who may attend. There
| will be good actors and actresses galore.
| and each and every one is we'll known and
| appreciated in the capital city. Among
| these may be mentioned a few, such as
| Joseph Hart and his talented wife, Fred
eric Bond. Fleurette, the dancer, and a
| hest Of others from Baltimore and Phila-
| delphia, as well as this city. The perform
| ance Will take place exactly at ] o'clock
| and the program will be completed by G
| O'Clock. This will enable those who come
frcm the cities named to catch the 3 O'Clock
| train, SO as not to miss their own evening
| performances. From the length of the pro-
gram some idea may be derived of the
| show which will be presented, and, al
| though many more presented their names
| as participants in the benefit than could
possibly be given a place. the very best
| were chosen. and the result will be one of
! the most enjoyable performances ever given
| in this city, either as a benefit or a straieh,
| theater attraction.