The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1896-01-21
GREETED The GUILBERT
Fashion in Fine Array Saw and
Heard the Chanteuse.
LIS Strong Pay-At the Other
Play houses

bert as she appeared before the footlights
at MetZerott Hall last night.
| Her effect upon her audience is that of
the essence OF an ocean of champagne. She
| sparkles from the tip OF her Titianesque
coiffure 10 the soles of her feet.
She is neither pretty nor ugly, but the
wonderful mobility of her features makes
her face one moment positively beautiful
and another absolutely repulsive. Eyes
and mouth are marvelously expressive, she
knows how to use her hands and arms-oh,
that our American singers and actresses
might take n lessonfrom her in that respect
| and her movements are graceful in the eX-
| IRENE.
Her art-for Yvette is n artist in her line
| lis unique. She has not much OF singing
voice, though the Organ is exquisiteIy modu-
lated, and she uses ii admirably. II is what
| her own countrymen would call 'trai-
| nantc," and had she chosen the stage in
| stead OF the "cafe chantant,' 1t would
have been worth great deal TO her there.
The secret OF Yvette's success would be
hard to define. Her whole personality is
| engaging. She puts herself on good terms
| with her auiie nee almost from the very mo-
ment she appears before them. She gives
| them a little smile and nod OF the head,
| rs If she wanted to say: I'VE are bon came
rades, you and ]" and they are.
Her selections are as varied as Is the
| expression OF her features. The majority
are "risque," some more so thai Others, but
| her manner OF presenting them partaIes
| nothing OF grossncss. IL is the movement
| OF the lips, the twitching of the mouth, the
| lowering OF the eyelid or the arching of the
! eyebrows, a furrow on the smooth forehead
| or those hands and arms that are suggestive,
descriptive of all that is Intended To be I'M
derstool.
.gass -, f,f thsa
poor druDkard was pathetic, but not dis
gushing, and infinitely more so her render
ing or that poor outcast, La PierreuSe,
while the story OF La Lisette,' that de-
lightful old lady who takes the story OF
the love OF her youth, was cha rming TO a
degree. ON the other hand, there was any
amount OF suggestiveness in ga Fart
Tou,ours PIaisir' and Clair de Lune." As
for "Linger Longer, Loo" and Her Gold
en- Hair Was Han ging Down Her Back, they
were unique specimens of what an artistic
"chauteuser can do with songs of that
sort.
Her audience liked Yvette immensely,
which is more than can be said about
her supporting company. II is very poor
frame for SO fine a Centerpiece.
meodrama in four acts, called The
Fatal Card was produced for the first
time i'll this city under the direction of
Mr.. Charles Frnhman at The New National
Theater. II is the work of Haddon Cham
bers and b. C. Stephenson, distinguished
English playwrights, and has met with
phenomenal success in London and New
York.
A large audience witnessed last nights
performance, and the general verdict was
more than favorable, as is usually the case
in all pla Us bearing the Charles Frohman
trademark and given under such happy
The plot is distinctly melodramaiic In
character, but the absence of the perennial
ciap-trap and cut-and-Gried situations and
the clever untangling OF the main thread OF
interest lifts the play far beyond even the
best OF recent successes.
The part OF the hero was in the hands of
George Aliston. WHO delivered IL with force
and fcrvor. Kisses greeted Edwin Holt
as the villain and afforded an evidence OF
the strength of his conception.
The familiar and every welcome face
of Giles Shine in this, his own city, evoked
generous reco cnition, andhe gaveto tie part
he invested all the art and dignity 3ccu-
mulatcd in a long ard honorable career ON
the stage. His charming wife, Miss La
vinia Shannon, who is temporarily repiac-
ing Miss Amy Busby, on account OF the
latter siilncss, wasscen to unusuaiadvlntage
in a part bringing cut all her womanly
qualities. She is an actress OF even char
actcr ard fills every role she undertakes
with grace and finish.
TIE humor of the play was given its
flavor 10y Miss Anita Rothe, as Aunt Pene-
lone who is seeking the Londs OF wedlock.
She trod the ground between the sublime
and the ridiculous with rare discretion, and
gives evidence OF Possessing keen dramatic
dscernment and abundant ability.
Two bits" were ceveriy handled by
Mr.. James Eearney, native of Washing
n linz f.f sra for Mr.
Frohman was productive OF smcothness and
satisfaction.
The scenery and costumes were appro-
priate and The Fatal Card" should draw
large audiences.
Madame Sans Gene opened to but fair
business at the Lafayette Square Theater
last evening. The audience, however. was
apprcciative, and demonstrated the pleasure
II derived from this magnificent production
by repeated applause and curtain calls at
the close of the first and second acts.
So much has been written in description
and praise of this play and cast that any
further attempts seems unnecessary. Miss
Kidder's delineation OF the ennobled laun-
dress is without a superior in conception
and performance
Mr.. Cook places before his audience Ma
poleon Bonaparte with all his selfishness and
cunning, his ambition which sacrifices all
for his own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, and his dis
position to overlook his personal
honor in protecting his position in further
ing his interests, a conception OF this great
character which can only have come from
long and earnest study.
The Lefubore of Mr.. Harold Russell was
exceptionally well played, as was also
the Fouche of Mr.. Wallace Shaw. Mr.. Rob-
ert Drouet as De Neipperg was very sat
isfactory.
The performance was artistic from every
standpoint, all the minor parts being filled
by efficient people. The costumes worn by
the ladies in the second and third acts were
very beautiful. especially the gown worn by
Miss Kidder in the third act, white bro
caded silk of the pattern of the Empire, with
diamond ornaments.
The stage was beautifully set in each act.
and all the minor parts were sumptuously
dressed.
Mr.. Gus Hills popular New York Stars, |
that have but to announce their coming to be |
assured of success, were at kernan's last |
night and will continue to appear there the |
remainder of the week, with usual NATL |
neeS.
The bill this season is unusually long. and |
every number introduces an artist of far |
more than ordinary ability in his or her |
line. The curtain rises on Swan and Bam- |
bard. two Erotesque comedians, who pro- |
woke lots of mirth in a rough manner. Miss |
Emma Francis is seen In several excellent |
song and dance numbers.
Lots of applause is given to and fairly won |
by William c. Matthews and Nellie Harris |
in number commendable for its original |
Foot to tt,tr God I,x-k