Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-09
fact that the attractions at the other the
aters were much above the average.

NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-The
rainy weather affected the attendance at
the National Theater last night to the ex-
tent of bringing out the smallest audience
of any of the large theaters. Mr.. Joseph
Jefferson's reception. however, was warm
one. and what IT lacked in numbers it made
up in enthusiasm, as he made his reap
pearance before the footlights. Mr.. Jeffer-
son has not played a full engagement i'll
Washington for three years, but it was evil
dent last night that in the intervening time
he had not been forgotten by his friends.
A double call at the close of the first act
brought him before the curtain and elicit
ed an acknowledgment of appreciation of
the compliment that had been paid him.
Mr.. Jeffer sons work in RIP Van Wrinkle
is well known to Washington theater go
ers, and needs no comment. His interpre-
tation OF the part of old Rip is the accept
ed standard for Irvings famous character
Although the casting of the play has left
but little to be done by any one save the
star, Mr.. JeffeT son has surrounded himself
with company Of such excellence that
they cannot be kept down by minor parts,
out insist upon carrying full share of the
work. Miss Anne Sutherland, as Gretchen.
the scolding wife of old Rip, made a de-
cidedly favorable impression. In addition
to clear conception of the part she is to
play Miss Sutherland possesses physical
qualifications eminently fitting for the
character. Mr. Theo Hamilton made a
good Derrick Won Beekman, the hard and
close-f1sted old Dutchman, and in the last
act carried the imitation of the rascal to
such realistic extent as to call forth
round of Kisses from the emotional gallery
gods. Mr.Jefferson's son, William Winter JEFF
ferson, as the nephew of Derrick. maintain
ed the favorable impression he had hereto
fore created among Washington theater
goers. Master Tyler, the Seven-year-old,
as little Hendrick, realized the reports that
had preceded him of being youthful
prodigy. At one point he and Meenie, Rip )
daughter. have the stage to themselves.
-iy,d no.,
part Of Meenie satisfactorily. In the first
act and in the last act when twenty years
are supposed to have passed, Miss Blanche
Bender carries the part, while Mr.. Joseph
Miss Julia Dean, Mr.. Harry Meredith, Mr..
Walter Howard and Mr.. Dudley Mccain
made the best of their minor roles.
RIP Van Winkle' will be repeated to-
night, Wednesday. and Saturday nights
and Saturday matinee. Thursday and Fri
day nights the Cricket on the Hearth"
and Lend Me Five Shillings" will be pre-
sented as double bill.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-The Academy of
Music is sure to be crowded throughout the
week. The rousing reception given "The
City of New York. last evening leaves no
doubt that Walter Fessler knows we'll how
to play on the chord of popularity. The
play abonr DIS with splendid scenic effects
touches of real life which call the widest
enthusiasm from the galleries and emo
ticnal parts that visibly stir the audience
me plot is not new in any material degree
Inere is young man, nurtured in wealth
and thrown upon his own resources when
he has reached manhood. The ambitious
father of the girl he loves wishes to marry
her to blackleg of a family of high social
position. The blackleg makes lots of trou-
Bile. but the worthy young man goes
through the trials of life with success
Taere are strong dramatic effects. Mr.
w alter Fessler as Jack Morgan, the gam
1,ff
Sanders. showed considerable dramatic
ability. but made the mistake Of OVERRIDING
his part at times. Miss Pauline Train. as
the flower girl, captivated the house Jas.
Farley did good work as the newsboy, and
Edward Brennan. as Policeman O'Hooli-
nan, proved great success.
The scenes on the Bowery, at Grants
tomb and Claremont-on-the-Hu Hudson were
especially good: while the train wreck
worked the galleries into a high pitch of
excitement
KERNAN's LYCEUM THEATER-The
bill presented at Kernan's this week is in
every respect first class. 1t is the Hopkins'
aggregation of star specialties, and merits
the many good things that have been said
about 1t. In short it is an up-to-date per
Iormance, with specialties carefully Sc
lected and artistically INTERPRETED clever
comedy conceit entitled IA Bit of Real
Life with Mr.. ana Mrs. Arthur Sidman
In the cast, proved entirely satisfactory
Then came Will II. Fox, "Paderwhiskey.'
His Clever work ON the piano, coupled with
his quaint humor. elected warm applause
and he was recalled again and again. He
seems to get music out of the piano in
ways no one ever dreamed of, and his
tune carefully picked out with his nose
vas a difficult trick. Genaro and Bailey
lad a brand new Ethiopian sketch, and
gave a very funny cake walk. The Karno
trio, English grotesques. fully maintained
the good reputation that preceded them
and gave a finished performance Leona
Lewis, dainty little soubrette. was far
above the average in her neat s2ecialty
Ihen came the star of the evening, Papin-
Ia, the myriad dancer. This lady presents
an entirely new dance that won for her as
much applause as any performer ever re-
ce1ved at kernan's. BY clever arrange
ment OF mirrors and light effects she gave
a really artistic performance She is un-
dcubtedly the best speciality that has been
seen here this season.
B1JOU MISUNDERSTANDING excellent
OIL Is presented at the Bijou this week,
and the audiences yesterday were suni-
Gent to justify the belief that the record