Evening star., 1897-03-10
AMUSEMENTS.

terday afternoon by company of Wash
ington singers, under the auspices of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, and
produce under the direction of c. E. Macom
ber of Boston, showed that the capital city
has a number OF excellent singers, who are
rot only capable of singing good part In
performance of this kind, but of acting 1t
as we'll. The opera itself is hardly up to
the capabilities Of the company presenting
II. the members of which took advantage
OF every chance offered them yesterday az
ternoon for good work both in acting and
singing. The performance was given under
the patronage of Mrs. Hobart, 1t being the
first entertainment which the wife of the
Vice President has SO honored; Mrs. Ad1ai
Stevenson, Mrs. John G. Carlisle. Mrs. U.
S. Grant. Mrs. Richard Olney. Mrs. Calvin
s. Brice, Mrs. John Sherman. Mrs. Dan.
Lamont, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Fuller, Mrs.
Walker, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Lindsay Mrs.
Blanchard, Mrs. German Mrs. Caffrey.
Mrs. Quay. Mrs. Westinghouse, Mrs. Logan,
Mrs. Scranton, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Huff, Mrs.
Newcomb Mrs. Virginia Miller. Mrs. Claude
Letter. Miss Harriet Lane johnson. Mrs.
Boardman. Mrs. Charles B. Bailey and Mrs.
Ferdinand Horstman. Besides these ladies
number of well-known society people oc-
cupied boxes or seats in the orchestra,
while nearly every Daughter at the capital
heard the opera from one portion of the
house or the other.
The opera is the production of Henry c.
Coolidge and Thomas w. Surette. 1t
made particularly appropriate selection
for this society on account Of the memories
connected with the opera, and 1t may be
said that as whole the production was
enjoyable.
Mrs. Nellie Wilson Shir-Cliff headed the
cast as Priscilla. and brought to the part
her attractive stage presence, splendid
voice and dramatic ability that made 1t
a r. nj lpnS cir a
Miles Standish made a hit. and acted as
stage manager, insuring smooth perform
'ance at the outset The part of John Al.
den was taken by Ellis L. Howland of
New Bedford, Mass. whose tenor voice
was heard to advantage, while w. II. Con-
ley took care of all the fun to be made out
of the part Of Hatebad Higgins. Paul
Evans as an Indian and Bernard Ryan as
Gov Bradford rounded out the male por-
ton of the cast. Among the ladies, Miss
Grace Lewis secured favorable recognition
Ter her Interpretation of the part of Res
ignation. the sDinster, while Misses Edna
Scott Smith. Edna B. Doe and Corinne
MacFarland made a trio of attractive Puri-
tan maidens.
f The chorus was good. although the men
were far outshadowed by the girls. The
latter showed spirit and the effects of good
training, while the male chorus showed
raggedness and gave evidence of not hav
ing attended the rehearsas as faithfully
as could have been the case.
The young ladies in the chorus were:
Misses Esther Heiskell, Suzanne Hosford.
Edith S. Birney. Myra Carter, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Winter, Elsie Raymond Du Bar
ry. Estele Du Barry, Cora c. MiIward,
Frarcis Blackstone. Marie Young, Amy
Kane. Louise Ball. saidee L. Dinsman.
Alice Hill. Marie s. Cassin, Connie Hill,
Miss Williamson. Kate Roy, Gertrude Bur-
CESS. Cora Perkins, Annie Mayhem, Mary
P. Smart, Marcie Mcclellan, Mesdames
Burgess, Stearnes, De Pew.
rhar rIa
mer Avery Hughes. Samuel c. Jones. John
70. N. Hall. NJ. II. Jones, Malcolm Springer.
F. s. Emmons, H. L. Chorlton, W. l..
KeeS I.srs F. b. Mi,sn, Lsateh; Frank % Coffin Charles
Hurst. E. s. CLAWS, w. L. Hurdle. jr.,
Fred E. Young, Elliott X. Pennebaker,
Fred r. Roberts, lIoratio Alger Rench.
Perrie II. Maxwell. F. NJ Ball P. w.
Roberts jr., and E. .. Loucks
The opera will be repeated this afternoon
at O'Clock. The proceeds of the two per-
formances will De used for the benefit Of
the Continental Hall fund.
THE Old Homestead. THAT really sweet
and wholesome play "The Old Home
stead,' filled with its honest oil New Egg
land Characters, its strikinSly realistic sur
roundings, its tuneful and joyous double
quartet OF farm hands, with their old-fash-
ioned melodies; its impressive church choir,
and Its home1y and restful beauty pervad-
Ing everything and everybody, will return
to the Lafayette Opera House next week
for its farewell visit to Washington 1t does
not seem natural that such an old-time ia
vorite should be withdrawn from public pat
ronage. but a new production from Den
man ThOmpsOn's pen is awaiting preSenta-
tion, and what will probably be the best
effort of MIR. Thompson as a playwright
must have d clear field. Next week, for
the last time, the original supporting COM
pany will be seen in the familiar charac-
tiers. and In honor of this farewell, The
Old Homestead will appear in an entirely
ajnin alI he Iictfn
roundinSs and stage effects for which the
piece is noted. The sale of seats begins
tomorrow morning.
Miss Francis of Yale"-There is no
doubt that nine-tenths of the human race
would prefer to laugh than to be serious
over any subject. Thus the play which
will cause a night of continuous laughter
and pass ones time away as if by magic
Is always the one that the masses are
looking for Michael Morton's Miss Fran
els of Yale which is to be presented in
this city at the New National next week,
is described as being the very embodiment t
of all that constitutes intelligent humor
1t Is a play evolved from a new theme,
original in conception and construction,
novel in method, and in It's entirety the
very fever neat of fun, without the horse
play and clap-trap which generally ac-
company so many of these so-called farce
comedies. Miss Francis of Yale does not
come with a long record of New York pre-
sentatioB, but does come with the same
| cast exactly as will present the play at one
of the prominent New York theaters in a
very short time. The presentation will be
given here under the immediate suDervis-
ion of the author and with correct details
and effects which will accompany the New
York presentation.
Creston Clarke.-Creston Clarke in his
new romantic drama, THE Last of His
Race" will be the attraction at the Co
lumbia Theater next week. The play was
written for Mi. Clarke and for months
has been in active preparation under his
personal supervision, and the young star
is enthusiastic over the dramatic and liter
airy merit Of his play. 1t is historical ro-
nance of that period in France dominated
| by the brilliant rule of Marie Antonette
The characters are finely drawn, the heart
| interest is strong and the dramatic situa-
| tions particularly good. Mr.. Clarke has
heretofore been identified with the Shakes
| pearean and classic drama, but recogniz-
! ing the tendency of the public toward ro-
mantle drama this season, Mr.. Clarke de-
| termined to produce his new play, and ap-
pears in the dual role of father and SON.
| characterizations offering the highest op-
portunities for his admirable versatility
| Miss Adelaide Prince in the strong feminine
| leading roles will appear in a series OF
beautiful gowns That brilliant young
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