Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-25

October 1 to prepare for several profess
sioral engagements later in the season.
Thompson, Josephine Burton and Irma G..
Callahan. In addition to the informal mu-
scales to be given by the pupils of Miss
Katie V. Wilson at her studio each month.
arrangements are being completed for a
public recital at the National Theater the
last of November A full orchestra has
been engaged to assist the soloists, which
will be announced later.
Robert Mantell is reveling in his new
play. If ever an author painted dashing,
daredevil soldier, Mr.. Tremayne has hit
the picture. In "A Secret Warrant he
gives Mantell role which is a prototype
Of Dumas DArtagnan, and to add to the
romance, has made the hero in love. 1t has
been said that Mr.. MantelL can make love
and fight better than any player now upon
the American stage. The qualities his
forte and enjoyment. If his coat of arms
could be quartered to his liking, it would
contain a woman, a napier, an ostrich
plume and a dice box; probably the sword
would occupy the first quarter. Both on
and off the stage, Robert Mantel is the
typical soldier of fortune or chevalier, and
gives us class of drama we enjoy. 1t is
strange that we have so few romantic
actors, but then, the incroyable, like the
tragedian, must be born.
Mr.. Wilton Lackaye has made quite
success in his new play, "A Royal Guest
Lackaye an opportI nifty to do some spien-
did Work in line such as he has not been
seen in since he made his big success in
Svengali Mr. Lackaye is one of the most
versatile actors on the American stage,
and it would be impossible for him to do
anything badly. Still, in this new venture
he has found character, it is said, COM
ensurate with his high ability, and which
is not repulsive to the audience. Mr.. Lack
aye will bring his new play to the National
Theater the 25th of next month, and his
host of friends will then have an opportu-
nifty to judge Of its merits for themselves.
The average theatrical program has any
thing but an agreeable appearance. Its title
page is usually typographical nightmare,
and the sheet is only tolerated for the in
formation it contains in regard to the play
and its characters. The programs how
ever, for the National and Academy this
season are neat little booklets, with a
frontispiece that is artistic in design and
well printed The size is a handy one. and
the reading matter, aside from the program
and notes of the play, is well selected and
is changed each week, so as to be prac-
tically up to date. -''1 .r3s---s
Mrs. Ffske's play, Tess of the D'Urber-
villes, which will be seen here this season,
begins at the point in the story where
Angel Clare asks Tess to become his wife
and go with him to Brazil. With rare
dramatic SKILL all essentials in the story
that precede this incident are concentrated
in the first act in dialogue and action. in
which the various characters are thrown
together One of the remarkab BILE things
about this play, it is said, is it's concrete
quality. 1t embodies all the elements that
makes the original so fascinating.
There is enjoyable outlook in the
coming theatrical season at the Soldiers
Home Theater- The summer months gave
ample opportunity for the tiieater to be
prepared for tie winter anusements which
are scheduled TO take place there, and
many improvements have been made that
will add greatly 20 the comfort and con-
venicnce OF both players and audiences
durirg the coming season. new lot of
scenery has been especially prepared, cleo
tric lights have been placed both in the
auditorium and on the stage, while the
new opera chairs, originally planned, are
he!nS put in the gallery and auditorium
The company that will have charge of all
the dramatic entertainments at the home
Fas been reorganized this year, and is now
in shape to do some very creditabie work
IL is under the management of MIR. Robert
w. Test, with Mr.. G. Il. DAILY as stage
manager; Mr.. William S. Hutchinson, as
master of properties; Miss Grace Ross, as
secretary. ana Mr.. Harry English as an
additional member OF the executive COM
mittee.
Mr.. Test, while west the past sumner
devoted great deal of time and attention
to the selection of plays for this season.
and associated with ard obtained the ad-
vice of many well-known professional act
ors and actresses. 1t has been his object
to select new plays. and not to use OLD,
WORKOUT sketches that have been worked
ever so often that they are thoroughly
well known. MIR. Test made a trip to chi
caGo, and while there obtained the follow
Ing ING plays for presentation this winter:
The Conspiracy; Number 12Sr' Queer
Decidedly Queer "a Game of Cards. "a
Russian Honeymoon" "All Is Not Gold
That Glitters' "a new play under this ia
mil:ar nance, The Gutta Percha Girl"
Il Zoo Il d -
Whose Is It?' Baby Bad Advice
played by Mr.. John Hare under the name
of "A Day at Lydeham," and a few old
favorites that have not yet worn out their
welcome.
The opening performance will take place
at the home October %. when The Con-
spiracy will be presented, with a cast
containing Miss Grace Ross. Miss Laura
Edith Griffin, Mr.. Harry English, Mr. c.
T. DAILY, Mr. VIM. S. Hutchinson, Mr. r.
W. Test and Mr.. Edward r. OConnor.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-De Koven and
Saith ) Fencing Master Is the next
weeks offering at the Columbia Theater
where the success of the Castle Square
Opera Company IS now fully assured. The
comp2nys presentation OF this dainty, de-
HGhtful and sparkling opera will be in a
style CT richness and beauty rare even for
the notably fine renderings they give, and
the business VIII doubt be on a par
Will TIE altfIcllCn. Inc opera contains
many beautiful numbers, and all will be
sung as only this company can render
them, while the chorus. always fully COM
petent, viii do their share with the en-
sembles, finales and choruses. The story
relates the adventure of 4 young girl,
Francesca, whose father is a fencing mas
ter. He has educated her as a boy teach
ing her fencing among other manly ac-
conp:ishmenJs. She takes his place as
master-at-arms. She loves Fortunio, right
full heir to the throne of Milan. Out of
this grows a most interesting series Of
incidents, that finally result, as all such
love affairs should do, Iaost happily The
scenery and costumes will be something
beautiful. and the whole performance an
event to be long remembered. The cast
will be as follows: Francesca, Torquato's
daughter, brought up as boy, Miss Grace
Golden; Torquado, fencing master of the
M-lanese court, Mr.. Arthur LebIee: Pas
Guino. private astrologer to the duke Mr.
Raymond Hitchcock; Galeazzo Vicoate
Duke OF Milan, Mr.. Arthur Wooiey; Count
Guido Malespina, Mr.. Joseph Sheehan:
Marchesa, Miss Bessie Fairbain: There
sa. daughter of Milanese money
lender. Miss Gertrude Qu:nlan: Pietro, an
innkeeper, Miss Gertrude Rutledge; Mi
cEaele SteEo Doge of Venice, w c. Brock
meyer: A gondolier. VIM. Marriott; For
tLnio a rightful heir to the ducal throne.
Mr.. William G. Stewart.
NATIONAL THEATER.-Stuart Robson
Will inauRurafe his