Evening star., 1897-05-11
AMUSEMENTS, A

NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-Mr. Stu
art Robson has performed a work of i'm
portance in giving to the stage Opie Reeds
story, The Jucklins," dramatized by Daniel
l.. Hart. 1t is one of those pastoral crea-
tions for which MIR. Reed has become 70
widely and deservedly admired as an
author, aad the dramatization and the per
formance are both calculated to present the
rugged pictures of sentiment to excellent
advantage. Accustomed as it has long been
to Mr.. Robson comedian of the spright-
ly and dapper sort, the public cannot fail
to regard his appearance in the garb of
South Carolina farmer. He does noS seek
10 divest himself of the pecu iarities of style
which have made him unique, but he sue
ceeds wonderfully we'll in accommodating
them to the part which he assumes. One
of the most beautiful characterizatons that
the stage of this city has seel in /, long
time Is that of Mrs. Jucklin," the keynote
of whose character is sounded in the line
Shc comes from the stock that stood at
the stake" The part is played by Mrs
Samuel Charles with rare discretion. L.
requires either great skill d very lucky
inspiration to depict SO happily character
in which the most rigid devotion to chosen
standards of right is unmarried by any
variation from g-ntleness of demeanor. The
characterization is lovable as it rs ad-
nllrable Mrs stuart Robson plays the role
OF the heroine of the piece, and does it in Il
manner which her previous successes make
II unnecessary TO describe. Mrs. Robson
Is one OF the actresses with whom good
work is taken as matter of course The
play is well cast and the story is told with
the simple directnCss which appeals with
so much force. 1t is a surprise that play
e. of Mr.. Robson's qualities should have
undertaken to put on a play of this tyne
and stranger still that he should have done
II in SO satisfactory manner.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
he. rod of TT
fayette Square Opera House by the Castle
Square Opera Company served to attract
large audience last night, that was not
disappointed in the expectation raised by
the announcement that Jakobowskis tune
| full and popular work was to be presented
| The opera was, as is the case with all the
productions of this company Handsomely
staged and richly costumed. Some Of the
principals were not over-familiar with the
| lines and music, but of course this will he
| overcome tonight The work of the chorus
| was strong and we'll DONE and all of its
numbers that are known so well were
| given hearty recognition. Several rev
members of the company We're introduced
| last night. Grace Golden and Bessie Fair
| BARN were excellent. the former winning
| an emphatic encore for her lullaby song in
| the second act. Miss Fairbairn Is a splen-
| did actress and made distinct hit as the
| Princess. One of the good bits of work in
| the opera was that of Gertrude Quinlan as
| Javotte. who made a very fetching SOU
4
| ers. a Washington girl, gave the small part
| of Cerise very aeceptably. Probably the
! best acted character in the production was
| Arthur Wooley's Caddy, and although the
| memories of Francis Wilson in the part
| have not yet hegun 10 grow dim, Mr.Wooley
| filled the requirements with great success.
| VIM. Wolf Ravey was also good. The
| most satisfactory number in the whole OPP
era was the solo Of John Sheeka1 in the SEQ.
| ond act. Rarely has the song been given
| in Washington with better effect, and Mr..
! Sheehan's effort was by far the most artis-
| tic piece of work that has been done by
| any member of this company during its
| present stay in Washington. Melville Stew
| art and Raymond Hitchcock were both
| good in their parts. ''Erminie'' will be
given all this week, with the usual matt
| neeS.
| ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-The Cummings
Stock Company opened a season of summer
drama at the Academy last night with De
Miles Lost Paradise" There was a fair.
SIZED audience. and not much enthusiasm
was manifested over the play which deals
with labor troubles, with which Washing.
tcLians are not. as a rule, familiar, exec d
through the newspapers. Whatever lacl