Evening star., 1897-06-08
AMUSEMENTS, A

COLUMBIA THEATER-Last night the
Columbia Theater Stock Company Offered
another novelty, a French comedy done
over into English, under the title of His
Little Dodge" 1t has been played il Lon
den with prolonged success and Is, in
deed, a jolly bit of nonsense, in which do
mestic complications are treated with a
breezy hilarfty which gives unmistakabl BILE
proof of its Gallo origin. 1t presents the
theme of hypnotism in a new aspect, and
proves that even the occult may have It's
comic side. The part of the husband, who
sends his wife into mesmeric slumbcrs in
order to indulge his romantic disposition, is
played by Mr.. Al. Lipman, and it is the
best of several good things he has done
during the summer season. The role of
the wife with a tendency to- jealousy and
excesses of aspcy1ty was sDlendily per-
formed by Miss Katherine Gray. James O.
BarrowS WAS, II Is 10 De assumed, follow
ing an ideal conceived and crystalliZed in
the production of the piece. The French
temperament loves eXaSgeration, and Is
sometimes led into allowing mere distortion
to take the place of ciayar caricature En-
giish tendency, too, is ID accept any thing
that is abnormal is :unny. The American
taste, where it has reached any degree of
cultivation demands human nature; the
type may be exceptional; it may be en-
phasized to bring out pecuiiarit;es, but, ex-
cept In cases where the interest Is avow-
edly fanciful. 1T must contail a suggestion
OF the sympathy and fellowship mich
exists between all human creatures. Mr.
Barrows Character Hon. Manderville
Hcbb. was in the main more grotesQue
than humorous. Bet * was a e-dispell-
ing entertainment, and the audience en-
joyed it heartily the laughter and ap-
plause demonstrated. MIR. VIM. Boag play
ed character part with spontaneous vim,
and Mr. Geoffrey Stein ard Miss Carrie
Berg portrayed the comic gardener and
the piquant house maid with ability. 'One
Touch of Nature a one-act emotion al
drama. preceded His Little Dodge" The
theme is beautiful one. although it
might have been presented effectively with
less elaboration. In this piece Ir. Henry
Bergman played pathetic role, that OF the
father who discovered his child but can
not not reveal his identity very forcefully; and
Mr. Alfred Hickman shone to especial ad-
vantage. Miss Grace Mae I,amkin was
also very admirable.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA. HOUSE.
The eighth week of the engagement of
the Castle Square Opera Company at La
fayette Square Opera House opened last
night with Willard Sponsors ever-bripht
ever-popular and ever-tuneful opera THE
Little Tycoon" Although THE Little Ty-
COON has suffered much at the hands of
musical critics, 1t continues in favor, and
will continue to be favored by that large
class which always attends q production
of comic opera. There are many pretty
numbers in the work. and all of them were
given last night, with very few exceptions
In the best possible style. Patrons of op-
era at the Lafayette during this engage
ment have come to look for remarkable
scenic effects. but the last scene in the
opera last night, that Of the garden Of Gen.
Knickerbocker's residence, eclipsed any at
tempt in stage setting that has been made
so far. In this scene the costuming was
elegant and tasteful. and a ripple OF ap-
p!ause broke out even before the lights had
been turned up to fully disclose the beau
ties shown. The chorus did splendid work
throughout. but very few ragged edges
being shown even for first performance.
Mr.. William G. Stewart, who has not
been heard here since he appeared as VAL
entine In Faust" returned, and was
warmly received in the part of Rufus. HIS
solo In the second act was the vocal gem
OF the evening, and won for him an en-
thusiastic encore. Mr.. Stewart is easily
the best baritone the Castle Square Com
pany mas. and his work Is always finished
and artistic to q high degree He and MT.
Joseph steehan captured the vocal honors
OF the evening. the latter coming In for q
large share of applause, and gaining par.
dcular favor by his first solo. Raymond