Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-29
ADJUSTMENTS.

the New National will open tomorrow
morning for the sale of seats for the en-
gagement of Mr.. Robert Mantell, which
begins next Monday. There is a world of
rich dramatic material in the intrigues
end secret battles of the French court of
century and a half ago. Among those
who have delye into this mine of romance
with success is w. A. Tremayne in his
play, "A Secret Warrant" Robert B. Man
tell produced the drama, and plays the
dashing character of a captain of Kings
Guards with all the aplomb and vigor that
distinguish his stage work. The period
Of the play is 1920, when the Due d'Orleans,
as regent, ruled France. In reality, HIS
mistress, the INSCRIPTIONS Lady Gabrielle.
was power behind the throne that worked
the destines of the kingdom. by the strength
OF her beauty and an indomitable will. In
this play we see the bold captain scorning
the advances Of the woman, and thus be-
coming the object of her hate. The nat
ural consequence is that she obtains let
tire de cachet, and casts the soldier into
prison. How he escapes and finally turns
the tables on the woman Is wrought out
by the author in an ingenious and effective
way. AS for Mr.. Mantell, as Louis de
Bea umont, he fills the picture with his
virile. splendid personality, and another
great silhouette of romance is added to the
gallery that he has made famous in the
last ten years.
THOS. O. SEABROOKE.-Thoma @.
Seabrooke, the well-known comedian. has
returned to the comic opera stage. This is
just what the public desire to see him most
In, and this fact has been demonstrated by
the crowded houses that have greeted him
In his new opera, Papa Gou Gou." Sea-
brooke is regarded as one of the most unc-
tuous. versatile and clever comedians row
before the footlights, whose sole duty 1t Is
to make people laugh. and he certainly ac
complishes this mission. The opera in
which he plays the title role. Papa Gou
Gou," is from the pens of J. Cheever Good
win and Charles Alfred Byrne, with orig
inal music by William Furst. This trio
are well-known as the makers of good
comic operas, and in Papa Gou Gou''
they have the biggest success they have
ever achieved. The book is bright, witty
and most interesting. The music is light,
tuneful and catchy. To sum the whole
thing up In nutshell, Papa Gou Gou''
was written to sparkle and amuse. The
company supporting Mr.. Seabrooke is a
competent one. and they are all well cast
for their respective roles. Everything Is
new-scenery, costumes and properties. At
ter playing at the Lafayette Square Thea
ter next week the piece goes to New York
for a run.
I'll TROVATORE."-"'Th Fencing Mas
Columbia this week. Scenicany it is con-
spicuous, and the cast of principles, to-
gether with the large and capable chorus
give spirited presentation of De Koven and
smiths charming romantic opera comique
1t is one of the best productions the Castle
Square Company has given us, and the
opera will undoubtedly run through the
week to large audiences. A popular ladies'
and children's matinee will be given on
next Saturday, as usual. Next week this
favorite organization will be seen in a most
pretentious production of the standard
grand opera, I'll Trovatore." which will be
presented on a scale of magnif1cence never
before equaled in this city for the prices of
admission charged. The cast will include
Grace Golden, Lizzie Macnichol Gertrude
Rutledge. Joseph Sheehan, Melville Stew
art William Wolff and others.
EUGENE BLAIR.-Eugenie Blair will
present next Monday night her splendid
portrayal of Mercy Merrick in Wilkie Col
ms powerful story of THE New Magda-
len, which has been considered by many
as his masterpiece. Miss Blair has won the
nlshest commentator for her rendition of
TINS character. and it may perhaps be said
mat Its creation is her greatest achieve
ment. She is in every way fitted for the
development of this absorbing and intensely
interesting heroine, whose pathetic history
was the talk of both continents when the
story was first written, and its dramatiza-
ton has served to maintain its wonderful
hold upon the theater-going public An
other interesting presentation will be given
the latter part of the week, when Miss Blair
will offer for the first time here her own in
depreciation of the role of Carmen" 1t is
an undertaking worthy of this clever wo-
man, and all of her admirers will be deeply
DESTROYS of witnessing her handling of this
fascinating character. The New Magda-
LEM will be given Monday Tuesday and
Wednesday nights and at the matinee On
Wednesday, and Carmen will be present.
ed on Thursday and Friday nights and at
the Saturday matinee, with the Saturday
nights bill to be announced.
UNDER THE POLAR STAR"-"Under
the Polar Star" a romantic spectacular
melodrama, depicting and reciting the adj
ventures OF number of hardy explorers in
the northern sea, comes to the Grand Opera
House next week. 1t is a big production,
probably the most elaborate ever seen in
this city, and of the kind that enlists the
keenest enthusiasm of this master mind of
stage craft. Three of the acts take place
on the ship Polar Star, and among the ice
bergs of the far north, the first act occur
ring in Brooklyn. In the three exterior
scenes of acts two, three and four, the
stage will be unbroken, and a vast cyclo-
ramic perspective is obtained by the use of
over 800 feet of painted canvas encircling
the rear and sides of the stage. In front OF
this the various scenes are set. The story
of the play reads as follows: Silas Hamii-
Rabon and intrusts the command of his
Brooklyn Heights, an ardent, enthusiastic
and firm believer in the possibility of the
discovery of the north pole. AS he is TOO
he enlsts the aid of scientist, Achille
RADON, and entrusts the command of his
ship. the Polar Star, to his brother, John
Hamilton. His two nephews, Harry Carrie
ton and William Brandon, officers in the
United States navy, ere respectively first
officer and surgeon of the vessel. Wash
ington Post, a newspaper man, and AleXy,
an Esquimaux guide, are other important
characters in the expedition. Before sail
ing, William Brandon, who is in love with
Helen Blaine, poisons his uncle, Sias-her
guardian. who knowing him to be a scoun-
drcl had determined to prevent the arrang-
ed marriage. The blame of the murder
falls upon Harry Carleton, Brandons
cousin, and his rival.
THE BLACK CROOK COMPANY.-Man-
ager kernan's attraction at the Lyceum
next week win be Jermon's Black Crook
Eurlesque Company. This organization
made a very favorable impression upon the
patrons of the Lyceum last season, when 1t
was voted the 'best in its class" This
season Manager Jermon has really sur
pa Used his past efforts, his company being
equipped with every essential necessary
20 success. The opening satire is entitled
Americans Abroad" which is desc ribed
as very charming bit of wit and music,
tremendously blended. The olio which fol-
lows includes Mile. Mureal. the gay Paris
ienne, in a specially which is pleasing and
unique; Gilmore, Gardner ana Harris, the
versatile trio; Larry Smith and Mamie