Evening star., 1897-06-15
AMUsEMENTS,

Fast has had career which, although
brief, is sufficiently checkered to be in har-
mony with the title in more senses than
one. 1t is q play with q history-another
OF the multitudinous instances when first
night failures have eventually become
established successes. It is by the Paul
tons. the gentlemen whom the libretto of
"Erminie' brought to favorable attention
as adapters. and whose variations in the
theme Of "Pygmalion and Galatea," under
the title Of 'Niobe," proved so DELIGHTFULLY."-
witty and Ingenious IA Man With a Past"
has way of rushing into complications of
plot with an abruptness eQualed only by
the suddenness with which the extrications
occur The audience manifested unstinted
hilarity over the whimsical tribulations Of
Horace, the blameless young man COM
PEELED to assume the responsibilities for a
too susceptible godfathers misdeeds and
relationships. Mr.. Al. Lipman was Horace
and MIR. Jas. o. Barrows was the genial
sinner who caused the trouble. Miss Kath-
crime Grey was again admirable as the
young wife, who, believing that all men
have "pasts," welcomes any scandal which
may attach itself to Horace as relief
from uncertainty. Mr. Lipman has made
a host of friends in this city, and his work
this week will add to the number. Bar
rows is himself again-human. lovable and
irrepressible in his humorous vitality. Miss
Grey displays wonderful fiexibility Of style.
She Is as good in the role of the tender,
a6oring young wife as she was in the part
of the vixen in His Little Dodge" Mr..
Geoffrey Stein. too, displayed versatility
as character actor. Last week he gave
an excellent impersonation Of a cockney,
and this week he plays the role of an in
dignant Portuguese gentleman with no less
skill. In both cases his conscientious per-
formance was the more creditable because
the parts which he took might easily have
been slighted as minor characters. The
entire cast played with spirit and evenness
throughout the piece.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera, The
Gondoliers," presented by the Castle
Square Opera Company. held the attention
of large and appreciative audience at the
Lafayette Square Opera House last night.
"The Gondoliers'' is well known to all who
favor light opera, and brought up TO GATE
in the very entertaining way In which 1t
was last night makes one of the most en-
joyable of this type of opera. The cast
was not all that could be desired, either in
the way Of acting or singing, but the cho-
rus did magnificent work, and was re-
warded with liberal applause. In volume
and tone the chorus came up to some OF
the grand opera choruses that have been
heard, and exceeded some to great meas
ure AS usual. the work was handsomely
staged. the first act being an especially
pretty DIT OF stagecraft, and the costumes
were bright and fetching The vocal hon
ors or the evening were again handed
down to Joseph Sheehan and William G.
stewart, who were the two gondolers. In
the second act Mr. Sheehan induced burst
of applause by his solo, Take It," that
threatened the roof, and he was nearly
forced to repeat 1t for the third time. Mr..
Sheehan is easily the best tenor that has
been heard here for some time in light op-
era, and In artistic ability stands at the
head of the Castle Square Company sing
ers MIR. Stewart received emphatic rec
ognttfon of his solo in the second act and
his beautiful baritone well modulated and
full of sweetness, did ample justice to all
his numbers. The duets of the two were
much appreciated Reginald Roberts, as
the lost prince and attendant upon the
grand duke, had duet with Miss Alice
Judson. and the two were forced to re-
spond to an encore. The comedy work in
the opera was supplied by w. P. Carleton
and Nath. B. Cantor, in the parts of the
Duke Of PlazaToro and the Grand In
quisitor, respectively. Mr.. Carletons voice
is good, rich. musical bass, with consid-
cradle hexibility, and his quiet efforts at
fun were seen and liked. Arthur Cunning
ham also won an emphatic encore for his
solo. the first in the opera. The male parts
in the opera were much better taken than
were those of the other persuasion. Miss
Gertrude Rutledge showed evidence Of
having the best voice in that portion of the
cast and her one solo was the cause for
such emphatic applause that she was
obliged to repeat it. Miss Judson's voice
did not appear to be at Its best, although
she looked very pretty, while Miss
Golden's impetuous manner and explosive
method detract from her attractiveness as
singer. Miss Chamberlain won rather a
forced encore for her solo in the first act.
Miss Natalie Olcott made a pretty F'ian-
etti and =gives promise of better things.
At the conclusion of the performance last
night, in honor of Flag day, the Columbian
Anthem, by w. ]. Newton and E. Berliner.
was sung. Mr.. Stewards strong baritone
being heard in the solo. So well did this
take that the curtain was again raised,
and the same singer started MY Country,
IT'S of Thee" and the audience at its con-
clusion cheered heartily. THE Gondoliers'
will continue all the week, with the usual
matinees. Next week grand double bill.
consisting of "Pinafore" and "Cavalleria
Rusticana," will be given.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.-The third
week of vaudeville at the Grand Opera
House began last night with a well-filled
house The bill for this week includes an
interesting assortment Of specialties, all
SO we'll done that they win applause right
along from rise to fall of the curtain. Al.
Stern, the clever imitator. opens the ball,
and he is followed by o. K. Sato, the funny
juggler and II may be said that Sato is o.
K. Isabella Hurd makes her first appear
ance here, and after her comes Mile
Oceana in some remarkable feats of aero
hot Had To