Evening journal., 1897-12-17
"DANDY DICK" THE RACER.


IL is probable that no social organi-
zation affords its members and friends
more genuine pleasure in such a short
period Of time than does the Whining
ton Dramatic Club. For the season of
1898 the officers are ex-Mayor Aus
tin Harrington, president; Martin r.
Walker, secretary and j. Chester Glib
son, treasurer. Mrs. George w. Sparks,
Miss Eleanor G. Walton, ex-Mayor
Harrington and Christopher J.. Ward
constitute the executive committee.
The presentation of Dandy Dick,
an original farce, in four acts, by A.
w. Pinero, at the Grand Opera House
last evening was the initial perform
ance of the clubs ninth season. The
stage decorations were under the SUI
pervision of Mrs. J. Ernest Smith, and
were simply lovely.
AS attendance at these presentations
by the club is by card only and limited
to the members of the organization
and their individual friends, the audi
ence is never large. Those who are
present as auditors are friends rather
than critics of those who are acting
and this happy animation leads to
most satisfactory results, as il serves
to put the amateurs more at their ease
and the auditors in complete sympathy
with them in the work of affordng
an evening Of elevating amusement
The cast last evening was as follows:
The Very Rev. AugUstin Jedd, ID. d.,
dean Of st. MarVells, Christopher L.
Ward; Sir Tristram Mardon, Bart,
William N. Barnard; Major Tarver,
William Gideon Jones, Jr.; Mr.. Darbey,
Deanery, Martin E. Walker; Noah Top
ping, constable at st. Marvell's, Charles
M. Curtis; Hatcham, Sir Tristram' S
groom, James Fulton Nields; Geor-
giana Tidman, a widow the deans
sister Miss Eleanor G. Walton; Salome
and Sheba, the deans daughters, Mrs.
George w. Sparks and Miss Adelin
LObdell Jones; Hannah Topping, for
merly in service at the Deanery, Miss
Agnes Y. Richardson; Trilby, the dog.
James Booth Roberts was coach and
general director.
Mr.. Wards pOrtraiture of the dean,
WHO was denounced as the owner of
the race horse, Dandy Dick" was ex-
ceedingly clever, as we'll as droll and
dry. AS a sporting character at the
races Mr.. Barnard showed to splendid
advantage Messrs. Jones and Pening-
ton, lovers of the dean's daughters,
took their parts well, as did also
Messrs. Walker and Curtis, the latter
being especially good in the interpreta-
tiOn of his funny part. AS an English
groom Mr. Nields could not possibly
have done better Miss WaltOn's repu-
tatiOn as an actress is so well-known
that she requires no word of comment.
Whatever she attempts to do is well
done, and her fine acting, dashing man
ner and beautiful costumes won the
entire audience. Mrs. Sparks and Miss
Jones took their girlish parts we'll, the
latter being an especial favorite by rea-
son of her cleverness and beauty. As
a former servant at the deanery, Miss
Richardson won everyone by the nat
ural manner in which she delineated
| the character and received a hearty
encore The pug dog acted consistently
and dog-lilAe .throughout his short part
and spoke hiss little piece in The
| ciioiqest language of pugdom.
Bveryb3dy was cohraimeift6d for the
cleverness Of stage work and, taken
altogether, 1t was probaly the most en-
joyable entertainment ever given by
the club.