Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-28
Two More Houses Will Open Next
Week.
TRAGEDY ANDVAUDEVIILE PROGRAMS
Robert Downing to Present a New
Drama, david laroque."
SOME GE n E r A l. GOSSIP


iarly and affectionately called here in his
native city. will give us the first taste of
legitimate work, his first performance be-
ing "Virginius.' and during the week will
also present "Othello'' and THE Gladia
tor in all of which he has been seen
before and always with satisfaction. Dur
Ing his engagement he will also present
for the first time any stage a new play
called David Laroque." Bob recognizes
that Washington is good city in which to
produce new play, for If it meets with
the appreciation of an audience here it Is
pretty sure to have success elsewhere. 1t
is hoped that Downing's new venture will
prove both an artistic and money making
investment.
The Grand Opera House will present a
high-class vaudeville program. the manage
ment believing that those who are just
turning from their summer vacation want
TO be amused and do not care to have their
intellect taxed before cold weather.
Glen-Echo-on-t he-Potomac will still keep
up its high standard of attractions. and if
the Fadettes are to leave next week they
will be replaced by Will Haleys Military
concert Band, organization with which
every Washingtonian is familiar and which
has earned a high reputation by its excel
lent work.
Bob Downing repeated story the other
evening which he had heard over In New
York about Nat Goodwin. who has been
spending the past few months in London
The story was told Mr.. Downing by a re-
cent arrival from the other side. and is
thoroughly CHARACTERISTIC of the clever
comedian Goodwin has always had a
great fondness for the old historic places
In the suburbs. One day he was out at
Hampton Court The weather was warm
and fine, and the roads somewhat dusty so
he was nothing loath to turn into one of
the many inns with which the palace is
surrounded and quench his thirst He or
Oered a fOamlng of 'bittpr beer
sat down at a little table In a small and
very dingy room. The only other occupant
OF tne apartment was a somewhat military
looking gentleman, long past middle age.
After scanning his features intently for
some little time. the gentleman left the
table at which he sat and drew his chair
ing:
Have 1 not the honor of addressing Mr.
Goodwin. the American COMEDIAN"
You have" was the reply in a friendly
tone. but you have the advantage of me-
you before"
No" answered the stranger. II don't
think you ever met me, and the fact Is /
only knew you through photograph in
the possession of professional friend of
mine
Goodwin. perfectly ready to fraternize with
fellow actor.
Il am stage director of the Standard"
answered his new acquaintance readily.
''Oh. indeed. Let us shake then and have
friendly glass together, Mr.. -''
wilkins put In the stranger
Well Mr. Wilkins. my afternoon is my
own. and suppose you have time to spare.
Suppose We have little lunch together
Ell? What do you say?"
With all my art said Mr.. Wilkins IT
don't start back to town until $50 O'Clock"
Accordingly Goodwin ordered In a sumP-
tuous lunch and a bottle of old port. to
which Mr.. Wilkins and he did ample JUS
tice. chatting about various topics but
horses and horse racing he fonnd Mr.
VS. chief forte. After glass of grog and
cigar. Goodwin's new acquaintance got
up. looked at his big silver watch and said:
Its nearly time to start Will you ride
back to town with me. Mr.. Goodwin?
Have you a conveyance, then?" asked
the comedian.
and see it, 1 think everything is ready for
the back trip
Delighted at the prospect of drive home
ward through picturesque Surrey lanes,
Goodwin followed his friend out to the
courtyard where a large coach was in
waiting.
Times upr' said the rugged-faced man
In the yard, "and there's six insiders and
two outs"
Are you going to ride inside or out?"
asked Mr.. Wilkins of the actor.
"Oh. don't mind" said he; but where
aresyou going to sit?''
Me? Oh. 1 drive, you knows was the
reply.
Drive: you drive the stage?"
Yes. I'm stage director of the Stand
ard. he answered. with chuckle. Don't
you see the name painted on the side of the
''bus?'"
Sure enough, there were the words THE
Standard in big letters on the stage coach.
Goodwin grasped the situation. the joke
and the fact that he had been made fool
Of but he did not return to the city in that
conveyance. He just took the next train
and kicked holes in himself all the way
back.
hpr dah har
star. has more than made good all of the
pleasant thirgs that were thought, said
and written about her. Bert Riddle, who
n.anaC ed her during her trip south In
speaking OF his star. said Miss Blair's
power seems to lie in her ability to attract
her own sex. as the crowded matinees will
attest during her engagement wherever she
may be playing, especially If East Lynne
is being presented Camille is good sec
ond. but the first named play easily out
classes all others as a tear producer. In
fact, the Saturday shower is incomplete
without ii, and II is Eugene Blairs won
derful power to move her audience to tears
that makes her popular with her own
Sex There seems to be nothing In the
world which does a woman much good
as a good cry, and with the sorrows of
poor Lady Isabel before them they simply
revel In misery Well, Eugene cries and
sorrows with them, and there's the mutual
attraction. Many a woman has been
known to say after afternoon of tears:
cried all through the play and 1 declare
In New Orleans last winter at a Sat
urday matinee 1,ISO women saw Eugene
Blair play East Lynne and there wasn't
man or one dry eye in the house-nor
was there hat in sight. The law there
eensibiy makes each lady take her hat off
when she comes into the theater and hold
II or get IL checked. and what a happy law
that Is and how happy all of the men in
New Orleans are. But between the acts
bless your heart, every woman puts on
her hat again, and then the styles have
full sway. They certainly have no idea of
letting all tier art and beauty languish
all of the time"
Mr.. b. Frank Gelest gave an organ re-
citai at Madison. Ind. en- the 18th instant
which was. according to the Herald of that
city, "a brilliant success in every respect -
The paper continued: 1T was, indeed a
rare treat to all lovers Of good music and
the delightful privilege was most thor
oughly enjoyed by an unusually large au-
oience- Mr.. b. Frank Gebest's organ Sc
lections were grand Too much cannot be
said in praise of the beauty and power Of
musical gems of such high order The
pleasure which was afforded Mr.. Gebest's