Evening star., 1897-02-02
AMusEMErTs.


poster always invokes a generous frame Of
mind on the part of the play-going public.
Not only does their experience justify the
expectation that they will be amused, but
the personality of the actor is such that
the beholder somehow rejoices in his sue
cesses as he would in those of a friend
And Miss Maud Adams. with her pictures
of artlessness, so artfully portrayed, has
reached that enviable point where she COM
mands the interest of theater-goers in her
own career, as well as in the fortunes Of
her stage characterizations. All the play
ers who presented Rosemary at the La
fayette Square Opera House last night, as
well as the piece itself, were greeted with
numerous marks of approval. 1t is difficult
10 describe Rosemary" excepting by a
paradox. viewed from one standpoint, the
impression is that of a curtain-raiser in
four acts; from another it is a monologue
with three prefaces. Those who love a love
story Tor the story's sake will regard the
closlng scene. In which the old man lives
over cherished incidents which might have
meant so much, as a matter of pure super
erogation; and the folk who yearn only
Ior the emotional and sympathetic, those
VINO measure the merit of a dramatic per-
formance by the extent to which 1t wrings
their sensibilities, will VOW that the last
act Is the vital element of the whole per-
formance And the practical person will
piece could be spared without depriving
Mr.. Drew of important opportunities to do
excellent work. The play Is so simple that
II 1t possessed some reason for existence 1t
might become a classic. But it points no
principle In human affairs; 1t has no sug-
gestlons for the guidance of men in the
subtle relationships of life; it tells nothing
OF their rewards or retributions. And
oiten as these qualities are ridiculed, espe-
ciaily In the present era of superfciality,
tney are essential, unless the play Is to
become, as Is the case with Rosemary"
merely an elaborate device for trif1ing with
the moods of an audience 1t q closes
enough of intellectual force and artistic
apiity TO cause it to be long remembered
Dy the spectator; but the recollection will
Suggest no alternatives of action In lifes
rar reai crises; the mind is left neither wiser
nor weaker, nor better nor worse It re-
tains only picture. Harry Harwood was
auihiranie a., as the gruff sea captain. and
MISS Ethel Barrymore was Charming as an
nauea r,al.erale but comely country lass. The
performance is an attractive one and Mr.
Drew gives gratifying assurances Of his
apllity 10 step securely beyond the line of
parts to which he has hitherto confined
himself. ~ .oiiiiieu
r, Bl1ou Theater.-The attraction at the
blJou this week is made up of a
sn7.o sle.er company of comedians, coupled with
iaales. ia They produce a melodrama full Of
intense interest, which is called ..SiSe
!. :.racked, and serves the purpose for which
WAS was written: that of entertaining the
peoPie. ASIDE from the usual interest n
good melodrama enthuses, this particular
one one oiIers excellent opportunities of pleas
ing I'll classes. There is enough sadness tn
appeai 10 the sympathetic, and fun enough
10 saus1y those who go to the theater to
iaugh. The interest in the play last night
centered about Mr. E. H. O'Connor
washington boy, who will be remembered
ior ms clever work when member of the
l. 1rov 81
sayed the role of Horatio Irving Booth a
new ideal tramp, and gave the work an ex-
preston OF naturalness that won for him
berore his well-deserved success as an
in honor of the appearance of Mr.. O'Con,
nor, draped the private boxes with the
colors of the Carroll Institute, and the
members of that well-known organization
We're out in force to give their friend a
hearty reception.
kernan's Lyceum Theater.-The New
York Stars scintillated at Kernan's last
night, and frightened the dispositions of
those fortunate enough to witness the per
1ormance. AS variety show, pure and
simple, 1t excels in point of merit the great
majority of shows that are before the pub
lie. There is long and highly entertain
ing program. 1t starts off with clever
sketch, entitled Scenes in a Bowery Res
taurant,' and Messrs Ward Bradburn and
Murphy bring out roars of laughter. Then
comes Bonnie Lottie a dainty soubrette
who trips the light fantastic in becoming
fashion. The HATS contribute musical
specially in an artistic manner, and Frank
ID. Bryan Is high-clasS entertainer, with
his original comic songs and parodies The
feature of the entertainment was the sketch
work of Eddie Giguere and Blanche Boyer.
The former is already well and favorably
known as the singer of many voices. His
falsetto notes are pure and well defined,
and his range Is marvellous. Mile Ami per-
formed daring feats on the high trapeze
with as much ease and gracefulness as
though she were on the ground. John i.
Drew was as clever as of old in his dane
ing, but mars his performance by his side
talk. Conway and Leland, with only two
legs between them, rode a bicycle and pro-
voked rOarS of laughter. Murphy and Nc
Coy, in Hibernian speciality, were pleas
ing, and the show closed with clever ex-
hibition of marionetteS, operated by the
DeaveS.
New National Theater.-It would seem as
though time and the usual considerations
that have an effect upon any theatrical en-
terprise that is kept before the public for
any length of time are powerless to detract
from the drawing power of Primrose 4
West. These two have been associated in
the minstrel business ever since minstrel
show consisted merely of the old-time plan
tation songs. the regulation first part and
perhaps one or two specialties which were
then generally regarded as being out Of
their sphere In a minstrel show. Judging
from the reception which their minstrels
met at the New National Theater last night
they are good for score of years yet. and
the show which was put up by them was
the same entertaining, amusing show of old
that has delighted so many people in the
past; in fact, 1t is about the same that was
given here three or four years ago. on gen.
eral lines, with new jokes, however, rev
business and new songs. Besides these the
program contains a number Of novelties
and altogether is complete minstrel ag-
gregation of the present day type. In the
first part the magnificent setting is retain
ed. Mr.. West occupies the interlocutor's
seat, with George Wilson and Mr.. Prim-
rose as the end men. Among the songs
sung In this part were Just Behind the
Times" by its author, Charles Kent, and
Father She's My Sister," also by its au-
thor, w. H. Window. There's a Bully
Gone to Rest was sung by Mr.. Primrose,
and during 1t his pickaninny cake walkers
are introduced. Mr.. George Wilson's topi-
cal song Was we'll received and the local
verses made a hit. Among the other features
of the first part are on-wielding turn
by Johnny Whallen and a song and dance
medley by Jimmy Wall. Among the spe-
cialties are an exhibition of club swinging
by the Ben Mowett Club; buck dancing. by
Henry Williams; George Wilson, with his
endless fund of witty sayings; Jerome and
Alexis, contortionists, and a musical spe-
cialty by John Howe, Jimmy Wall and Will
lam Walters. The entertainment is brought
to close with a phantom march, under