Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-21
ADJUSTMENTS.

Lafayette Square Opera House.-The play
at the Lafayette Square last night was
Madame Sans-Gene," one of the most pop
rlar, If not the most popular, of Sardou's
with American audiences. Although Miss
Kathryn Kidder, as Madame Sans-Gene, has
been seen here in the character, and Wash
ington has also had Madame Rejane in the
same role in the original, Miss Kidder is still
the American, ideal of the character and her
audiences are as large and enthusiastic now
as they ever were. The play is the best pre-
sentation Of the parvenu character of Ma
poleon and his 'washerwoman court" and
one gets a truer idea perhaps of the man
himself from this play than from all the
books that have been written. OF Miss Kid
ders work only that may be said that has
already been said-she is the American Ma
dame SanS-Gene and cannot be improved
upon. Mr.. Cook makes quite natural Ma
poleon and interprets very satisfactorily the
contrasting qualities of that peculiar pro-
duct of nature. The cast has undergone
some changes, but in the main it is as be-
fore and the play runs with great smooth
ness, although the waits between acts are
long, owing to the difficulty in shifting the
heavy scenery. A fine audience in quantity
and>quality was present and thoroughly en-
joyed the performance.
New National Theater.-'The Fatal Card. ~
melodrama which has enjoyed the benefit
Of much comment, most of it favorable was
seen ICT the HTSC ume IN washington at the
New National Theater last night. The play
Is superior to the average effort of its class
In that 1t uses good English in its dialogue
end treats the probabilities of human events
with more respectful consideration than
the writer of a popular play ordinarily
deems necessary. The company, while not
the same as that which gave the piece its
original lease Of existence, includes players
of good reputation. Mr.. Giles Shine, ma
tive Of this city, handles responsible role
norfOrmanca NJ
Lavinia Shannon, also Of Washington, was
especially commendable, she receiving two
curtain calls at the close Of the fourth act.
Academy of Music.-There are all kinds
Of comedies and dramas and that sort these
days, but their projectors and sponsors are
not all as frank as are the managers of
Down In Dixie" who announce it on the
bills as 1.-The great cotton compress comedy
drama" Last night was the first for Down
In Dixie in Washington. OF course, as the
title indicates, 1t is play of the south, and
necessarily there must be local color in it.
There are darkies enough to stock a planta-
ton, but they are good singers and mu-
sicians and they are a feature of the play.
Each act contains a strong situation, and
reversing the usual order, it is the girl who
comes to the rescue of her sweetheart Mr..
and Mrs. Milt G. Barlow are two more fea-
lures. The Pickaninny Band, the Florida
Quartet, the Carolina Banjo Club and Rosee
the whistling wonder, were received with
numerous recalls.
Kernan's Lyceum Theater.-The perform
ance at Kernan's this week is well worth
seeing. 1t Is firSt-clasS variety entertain
ment, made up Of specialties to suit the
popular taste. Last night a crowded house
welcomed the company and gave each men,
Der warm reception. Swan & Bernhard
followed the curtain with a ten-minute spe.
cialty replete with songs and acrobatic
dances. Then came Emma Francis, who in
stalled herself q favorite as q song and
dance artist. Matthew and Harris put the
q md fY, hum vrffh hair ~
sketch, and F1orizell gave a marvellous and
unique acrobatic performance on q crystal
platform suspended in midair. Bingham
prov himself a master Of the wonders of
st. Clair and Goldie proved as big favorites
as ever, and Sparrow had no trouble Jug
Cling himself into popularity. The feature
Of the program was the performance con-
They presented a knock-about act that was
brutally funny. Ami and Ino did graceful
turn on the trapeze, and an afterpiece.
Lights of New York." closed the bill.
Yvette Guilbert-Yvette Guilbert has con-
quered Washington as she did New York
that is that portion Of Washington that
was represented at Metzerott Music Hall
last night, when the famous French actress
.one car hardly say singer-made her
first appearance in this city Guilbert had
supporting company, a quartet of vocal
lists and pianist, but they didn't count
for much with the audience, who went par
ticularly to see the star. This supporting
company contributed solos and concerted
numbers. and was chiefly noticeable in the
tenor. Mr.. Orlando Hartley, who has a voice
of much sweetness and good range. But
Guilbert was the one all wanted to see and
she was the one who monopolized the ap-
plause. Her first appearance Is woefully
disappointing. She has red hair a prom
inent nose, large mouth, with rather good
lips, and pointed chin. Her figure is any
thing but plump. and she seems to be loose
ly put together. She wears her clothes
dowdily, and her costume would shock the
aesthetic taste of any woman in society.
She wore black kid gloves, reaching above