The evening times., 1896-01-12
GREEN ROOM AND LOBBY.

GREEN ROOM AND LOBBY.
What the Christmas reaction is still
/ felt In the theatrical world was self
evident 10 those who visited our play
houses last week. With five theaters pro-
vidinS entertainment for the amusement
loving public of Washington, 1t is somewhat
strange that one at-least,, out of the mum :
Der, should not have been better patroniz,,d.
surely almost every Individual taste could
have been suited last week, for the manag-
ers gave the public a wide variety from
which to choose. The list Comprised high
class comedy, romantic drama, opera, melo-
drama, and variety, and from this assort-
ment, should the actual paid admissions
be counted al each theater, it would prob
ably be found that variety heads the list.
M r. CRANE is of the class usually de-
scribed as .'sterling actors'' and ne is
also great local favorite, yet it can
not be truthfully stated that the "standing
room only sign was displa yed a the La IA y
ette Square during his engagement.
1t is to be regretted that he did not give
US a glimpse of his new play, 1.-The Gov
ernor OF ofKentucky," ;" but he has reserved that
privilege for the New York public later In
the month.
Miss Morton's clever comedy, which re-
ceived its initial production here, has lost
none of its originality during the time it has
been 1unketing about the country and slight
changes and additions have been made
winch have smootned the harsh edges or "a
first production and given the play q
finished appearance.
Yet, with these advantages and tho adj
dltionai fact that the players are now per-
fecuy familiar with their lines and busi-
ness, 1t is doubtful il the piece was as favor
ABLY received as when first seen here On
Monday night the first act dragged a little
but after that the house seemed TO warm up
and the remainder of the play went swim
mingly. ~, - =
U HIGHLY seasoned British atmosphere
n enshrouded the National last week
and the fact that an English company
producing an English opera, was to appear
Grew good sized audience on Monday
night.
There is very little in His Excellcncy.'
however, which need cause an American to
Diusn Tor the composers and librettists of
ms own country, although when compared
with some OF the so-called operas which
nave been seen here this sea sou, the for
elgn article is thing of beauty and joy
forever.
Mr. Gllberts book is clever and the plot
original, while DR.. Carr has written some
music that cannot be criticised as remi-
niscent, but at the same time were IL not
for the clever people in the cast il is
doubtful IL The opera would have proven
successful. But even as il is, there is
nothing about the piece which warrants
the expense aud trouble Messrs. Hayman
ana Frohman have gone 10 TO bring a
special company to this country to pre-
sent IL.
T ND now, while on the subject of operas,
n glance at the native article, or at
least the samples that have been seen
mere, may aynotcomeaIniss. Thisseason seems
10 be particularly lacking in successful
comic operas. About half a dozen have
been presented here So far this year, and
not one of them has achieved more than a
moderate success.
Some have been OF English origin and
others were by American composers, vet
not one can be compared with the old IA
voriies, such as Robin Hood" Wang"
The Mikado,'' aud Others Of that class.
A new style has come into vogue lat
terly, and il box office receipts amount TO
anything is an indication of public ap-
pToyal, opcra-makers bad better get back
to the old methEi and leave new tangled
ideas alone. OF the operas brought out
this year the criticism has been advanced
that their music was reminiscent. Now,
if composers will .'reminis'' why don't
tuts tdht tht vi last year
songs, and not rehash the stale, unprofit-
able and commonplace airs they have pro-
vded this season.
Never perhaps, at least not in late
years, have there been SO many revivals
as this season has witnessed. De Wolf
Hopper has gone back to wang" Lillian
Russell is singing her old repertoire. Fran
els Wilson has put 1.-The Merry Monarch
in rehearsal and will produce it in Phila-
l-I,~ ~h3 I.s- .,Nrf
proven losing venture. Whether this
return to their first loves on the part of
comic opera stars is because of bad judg-
ment on their part in selecting poor operas,
or whether it is because the composers are
not turning out acceptable work, it is
hard to tell.
One fact remains, however, which must
be patent to everybody, and that is that
TO become popular the comic opera of
today must have catchy music. The plot
may be silly and the dialogue, the most
witleSs and inane ever written, but il the
music be catchy and the cotnediau's top
ical song be whistled on the streets the
next morning the composer may sit back
at his ease and prepare to gather in the
royalties.
or the operas seen here this season Bob
Roy was probably the most successful,
and strictly speaking it was probably the
DeSt hiuslCdi Stdhulohts Az AaSS
the music was almost too heavy for
comic opera, and there was hardly note
Of catchy music in 1t, and for this reason
it can never be as popular as robin Hood"
by the same authors. Although "Flcur.
d Lis is a pretty opera, what song in
1t will catch the popular whistle like "She
Is Daisy, Daisy from 1.-The Little
Trooper" And SO the fact remains that
the comedian may be funny, and
fla
and the scenery beautiful, it is the catchy
music that draws the crowd and paints /;
smile on the managers face as he stands
by the box-office window.
n PRETTY good story is going tie rounds
n Just now on a wel-known comedian
who has been playing In the West
his fall. <
Among his other failings Mr. Comedian
S very fond Of baseball. In fact he has
,een known to forego the pleasure of a
Wednesday matinee, all on account of
1all game.
Early In The fall Mr. Comedian was play
ng in Chicago, and every morning 1t was
lis custom to go out to the park, and dom
ling suit, spend an hour with the Colts. |
Tow, adjoining the Chicago baseball park
S lunatic asylum. Most of the inmates
IRE harmless fellows, and are allowed the |
reedom of the grounds. One morning the !
Ictor arrived at the park somewhat early, |
md getting into his togs at the club house, |
tarted for a spin around the park. As |
le passed the corner of the grand stand and |
quared away for center field, a wild eyed |
nan sprang down from the seats and start |,
d in hot pursuit.
Great Lordi .iunatic,,, he said. and |
ut on more speed. Round and round the |
ield they went, the crazy man gaining at |
very step. The motor was beginning to |