Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-02-27

ST. Louis in search of characters, but
large part of the time was spent in Mary
land, near Boonesboro'. the scene Of the
play. the scene painter was also sent
down there. when the time came, and the
scenery in this play Is exact reproduc
ton of the country round about Boones-
boro. Maryland Calverts home. 1.-The
Liacs." studied from old house of
that name. The play practically writ
ten for Mrs. Leslie Carter the character of
Maryland being one for which she Is pc
culiariy fitted by temperament and tradi-
lions. for she is a southern woman, Sensi-
tive. high-spirited and warm-hearted. Hav
ing written the part for Mrs. Carter. the
playwright was determined that she should
play it, and he made the rounds of the
play houses in New York, with very dis
heartening results.
FiraIly Max Bleiman was induced to
take 'old of it, and since then 1t has been
has Undoubtedly made the play the bril-
liant Succe 50 that ii is. The part of Mary
land is difficult one. requiring strength,
perseverance and hard work, as Well as
highly strung emotional nature, a SYM
pathetic character and real dramatic ge-
MUS. The play is not a one-woman af-
fair, however. 1t is fine play In itself,
we'll written and well staged, with an in
tensely interesting plot, and every mem
Der of the cast has been carefully selected
and trained. Herbert Kelley Is the lead
ing man, assisted by Odell Williams.
Other members of the east are John W.
Caull and John Kellerd.
New National Theater-Sol Smith Rus
sell is very much akin to the proverbial
perennial delight. His visits are always
events out Of the ordinary for several rea-
sons; primarily because his talents are
very much out of the ordinary, and, sec
ondly, because he draws audiences which
may be classified in exactly the same way.
There are great many people in this
part of America who regard 1t part OF
their religious duty to go to see Sol Smith
Russell, referring to him with reverence
touched with familiarity. These add them
selves to the hosts OF regular theater-goers
during his visits, and the usual result Is
every seat sold and the standing room
only" sign out. A new comedy, reported
TO be the comedy success of the season,
Will be the bill for the entire engagement.
The play was written by the very clever
playwright, Martha Morton. and Is called
"A Bachelors Romance" Mr.. Russell will
be supported by Arthur Forrest, George
Moreland, Fanny Addison Pitt and others
of equal reputation. The engagement be-
gins on Monday evening inauguration
week.. March /, and will continue for one
urday natiEees.
Academy of Music-''The Great Diamond
Robbery" an American melodrama, by AL
friend and Wheeler, which is owned AMI
exploited by Messrs. A. NJ. Palmer and
Edwin Knowles managers of the principal
theaters in New York. Brooklyn and Chi
cago, will be presented at the Academy of
Music all next week. with the usual mat
Trees. During its seventeen months eX-
istence this great play has made for Itself
an enviable reputation. The same unap-
proachable cast and magnificent scenic in
vestiture which delights the looker-on in its
successful annual tour will be seen as
originally presented. The plot recounts a
story of thrilling adventure. telling In a
mastery manner the finding in New York
of a large collection of costly jewels, the
property of a Russian nobleman. They are
In the possession of an old banker and his
wife. formerly the mistress of the Russian
nobleman. who desires to own them. To the
banker his wife's vicious character and her
design are suddenly made clear. She muir
ders him by poison, secures the jewels and
fastens the crime upon young clerk. In
the succeeding acts this young man and his
sweet heart are found to be In the tolls of q
group of conSpiratOrS actuated by various
motives. The police and public press de-
ceived by the skillful accumulation of false
evidence. are against them rascally
political boss and a receiver of stolen goods,
of the Mother Mandebaum type would
seem to possess sufficient power to battle
justice. An alert detective of the central
office, however. devotes himself, despite the
opposition of his .superiors and at great
personal risk TO the prodigiouS and ro
mantle task of clearing the reputation of
the falsely accused young man and sorely
tried young hearts and recovering the dia-
nonds. The original metropolitan COM
peny includes Madame Janauschek, Mrs.
Annie Yeamans. Fanny Cohen. Louise Clos
Ser. Cora Edsall, Jos E. Whiting, Geo. c.
Edward Ames. j. II. Cesar. James Bev-
ins. Ed. A. Locke, Edward NJ. Bartlett.
This cast Is the which will present the
highly Interesting drama next week.
The Grand Opera House.-One of the fun
niest of funny men on the stage today is
EDDIE Foy, who will appear at the Grand,
covering the usual performances inaugu-
ration week every night. with daily mat
inees and especial midnight performances
en- Wednesday. Thursday and Friday. Mr..
Foy has revised and entirely new version
of lon the Earth big spectacular ex-
travaganza. Like old wine. Mr.. Foy i'm
proves and ripens with age and his per-
Torrance is full Of that righteousness that
cheers the heart and mind of the auditor.
This year Manager John W. Dunno has
surrounded him with a splendid company Of
artists, including such well-known people
as Mary Marble. Mari de Campi ALLYN Es-
tee. Gertrude and Agnes Saye Oscar Hall,
J. 4. Sullivan and forty others of the best
known and most capable artists he could
get. ''Oh the Earth is full of new and
taking songs. fine business, beautiful seem
cry. elegant costumes and all that goes to
make the performance and the production
complete In every sense. 1t Is one Of tie
brightest musical and spectacular comedies
ever produced in the country. and 1t will
be seen at the Grand next week with all
the accessories that went to make the orig
n al production such big success. Eddie
Foy is the prince of good fellows and fun
makers, and "Of the Earth gives him the
greatest possible opportunity to display his
Wonderful and versatile talents that have
made him such favorite with all classes
and kinds of people.
BiJou Family Theater.-Considerabl in
terest has been excited in theatrical circles
by the latest managerial venture Of Mr..
Robert Whtesell of the Bijou Family
Theater. Mr.. 7. Miaco's "Pantomime and
Spectacular Variety Company Is the prop
erty bought. and the long experience of Its
new manager In that class of works makes
his success and that OF the production as
sured. Since purchasing the show a con-
siderable amount of money has been ex-
pended in renewing and reorganizing it.
with the result that II now ranks high in
the list of such productions. New paper
and novel forms of advertising have been
devised, and Mr.. Whitesell has completely
fitted II with handsome scenery and beau
tiful costumes. Mr.. Fred Wilson, who is
one of the best known and liked business
men I'm the city, will be put in charge of
the company while on the road, and Mr..
j. Randolph, the veteran manager, will
have charge of the business end. The show
has been booked along the famous Mischler
circuit. through Cincinnati and Cleveland
to New York, where 1t will close at the end
of the season for the summer Baltimore
is the next booking after this city, and an
extensive tour Of Pennsylvania will be
made Cyrene. the dancer. has been en-
gagged a special feature, and the Miacos,
fhn rtf nvv1 shAr lr...~