The morning times., 1896-06-16
OLD FAYORITES WELCOMED
Comedy Company Opens the Sea-
son in Confusion"
Fred Bond and His Companion Play
ers Given II Housing Hand by
Crowded House.

The clouds which hung over the Washing
ton Stock Company's plans during the past
few days broke yesterday, and after "A
Sudden Shower" some Confusion and Il
flood OF merrment the opening uf the Ma
tiopal summer stock season was manifestly
success. A large attendance, of a per-
sonnel of sufficient distinction TO recall
some OF the good evenings of last winter
Observation-Disclosures onyofthe pleasure
felt in the return of the old favorites.
AS the curtain went up after the overture,
there in the center of the stage on u high
stool. surrounded by all the parIphernaiia
Of an artists studio. sat Frederic Bond.
gave him IA cheering yOiey In welcome. He
was presently joined by Bretta Marti- She
was I; stranger, lat. won hrg way TO favor
before the end Of The evening. Her con-
quest is one OF Eeauty. for she certainly is
that with no qualifying limitations. but she
has yet to learn how to manage her sweet
voice and do justice TO the grace that is
somcw here in her arms and hands.
The third party OF. the first appearance
was William Boag. II was Mr.. BOag's first
appearance in this stock, but lie was no
stranger to the audience. He was made
welcome.
These three acted a pretty little studio
episode. by Lindsey Harris, called "A Sud
den Shower" lupresented Miss Maru as
q fiaDcce of a faithiess drone and the sweet
heart OF Il faithful lover. Mr.. Bond as the
artist won his friends by his own clever
individuality, and Mr. Boag made OF the
roue new character study for the long
list OF Eenere portraits he Is gathering 10
himself.
The principal, or longer piece, was Der
rick's rafting comedy, 'CoDfusion." The
lujicrous errors which it is the farceurs
license 10 build ous Of iinprobabiility fCf
the sake OF the genuine Eearty fun they
createare well known. The ludicrous coin
plications Of the neglected wife's dog, al nd
the slavcy's~ baby, The maiden auDt's de-
utar Sc Stfs sI,at t,pr
lor's innocent contribution to the general
turmoil are still as potent us ever to stir
house Ia .roars.
The audience welcomed Mr.. Bond as
Blizzard, and Mr.. Boag as SuDberry, in
spite OF the first demoDstratioD. Miss
Chapman was given a rousiDg hand as
she came on as Mrs. Mumbleford. Agnes
FindIey as Lucrctia. Mary Sanders as
band, were all victims Of separate out
bursts Of applause. II WAS not until the
last act that another familiar came for
ward. In professional brown trousers.
black gloves. bla ok trimmed spectacles
and other characteristic appurtenaDccs of
seedv physician. the house recognized
John Findley. Ditto is the only word
did exceilently in q well conceived ser
wants part.
.'Confusion went with a go-bang style
that kept the naturally predisposed jollity
of the audience at concert pitch. The
season is announced for only two weeks,
but il the attendance keeps up to Il paying
mark it will work tie indefinitely extendeS
limit OF the engagement. Should the ell
gaEeinent he extended into third week
there is 10 he a capital surprise which
viii be announced Sunday.
r burlesque of the popular opera. billie
Taylor has been selected by Manager
Reynolds for the third week of the sum-
mer season at the Lyceum, and n great
many good things are given. both in the
theater, and later in the garden.
Beside the bur!esque. in which there are
a number of very pretty girls who can
dance and sing. the program includes such
artists as Miss Down Griffith, Mr.. E. ].
Holland and others. Miss Griffith was
very pleasing in song and dance. while
Mr.. Holland performed some wonderful
deeds on the trapese and bar. The Misses
Tyrene and Evalene gave an excellent
exhibition of singing aud dancing. They
made one of the hits OF the evening. Miss
Maud Harris, both as Phoebe. in the bur
lesduc and as song and dance artist
In the vaudeville. was charming.
Others OF the program Were: Miss Dollie
Lafferia. who danced the Sailors Horn
pine very cleverly; Miss Clara Cole vocalist
and dancer: Miss Ada Il. Downie. also in
song and dance; and Mr.. Harry La Marr.
the eccentric comedian. Beside these there
was n grand American march. prettiIy exc
cuted, and q number OF living pictures,