Evening star., 1897-01-13
AMI SENENTS.

Mr.. Polk Miller's EnteEtainment--A large
ard fashionable audience greeted Mr.. Polk
Miller al the Lafayette Square Theater
las night in his entertainment styled an
evening of story and song on old Times
Down South" Mr.. Miller is well known as
a delineator of the characteristics of the
Old southern negro and is probably without
peer in this line. He is also a musician of
no little merit and his songs to his own
accompaniment on the banjo were not the
least enjoyable feature. Mr. Miller is as
rear perfect as it is possible for a white
man 10 be in his limitations of the tones
dialect, gestures and other characteristics
o. tine old-time negro, and this may be
due in some measure TO the fact that dur
Ing his boyhood he was constantly associa-
ted with this class of the colored race and
became familiar with their every action
through close study and natural aptness
for imitation. Mr. Miller was introduced by
Senator Daniel, who referred TO him in the
most glowing terms of praise and said thai
ne was the greatest one-man show on
earth The first half hour of his enter
tainment was devoted TO description OF
the plantation type. and this was followed
Dy music. stories and limitations that were
not only enjoyable, but instructive as well
reminding those in the audience who were
familiar with such scenes of their early
days, and teaching others, who had never
passed through the experience of meeting
q genuine southern ''Garkey" what that
character really was. Mr.. Miller was assist
ed by Mr. Frank W Cunningham, the we'll
KNOWN Richmond tenor who sang a num-
Der OF solos in an extremely pleasing man
ner Mr. Miller viii repeat his entertain
meht FRIDAY evening at the National Rifles
Armory-
Richard Mansfeld.-At the I.ofavat,a
Square Opera House next week Nr Pin
ard Mansfield. an actor of subtle oogerzand
great originality. the most versatile pIaver
on the English speaking stage, will he seen
In several characters, in wht.a h.. Is al
ready well known. and in new one ,ha.
OF soidler OF mediaeval times in the ro-
mantle play of Castle Sombras aIr
Mansheid VIII also appear IN two Shakes
pearean revivals. King Richard IIT' and
the Merchant OF Venice" IN which he
has not appeared in this city for a mum
Der of years The new play hat Mr.. Mans
heId Will give is described as a romantic
comedy. and is by H. Grenoush Smith
editor Of the London Strand Magazine Mr.
Mansfield In the role of Sir John Somhras
is man of pale and somIer mien, but
possessed OF infinite goodness of heart a
gentleman and a lover. The arrangement
OF the repertory for Mr. Mansfielrs en-
gdgement Is announced as follows: Mon
day evening. The Merchant az Venice"
Tuesday evening. "A Parisila I:omanc e :,
Wednesday matinee. The new play Castle
Sombras: Wednesday evening Shakes
peare's grand tragedy King Richard Ill :"
which will he given here in the same .Ioh-
crate manner that characterized the pro-
duction Mr.. Mansfield made at the Globe
Theater, London, in 1889; Thursday even
ing. Beau Brummef' will be presented
This same comedy will be repeated at the
Saturday matinee. Friday evening "A Pa
risian Romance with Mr. Mansfield as
Baron Chevrial. will be offered DIR. Jekyll
and Mr.. Hyde" reserved for Mr.. Mans
fields final presentation on Saturday even
Ing The sale of seats opeaed this morn
ing, and IL is pleasant to note the interest
that is felt over Mr.. Mansneld's coming en-
gagement.
OTIS Shinner.-There are but two actors
upon the American stage who have ever
been ofhctaily recognized by any of our
great institutions OF learning: one is Joseph
Jefferson. the other Otis Skinner who
opens weeks engagement al the New Ma
tional next Monday evening, and Mr.. Skin