Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-20


might attend so prosaic an occupation re-
moved. He does not permit syllable of
obscurity. Not only has he studied the
precedents set by eminent interpreters of
the role, but he has thought for himself,
and the result is a most lucid and logical
portrayal. He develops flesh and blood
character, whose impulses and methods
are clearly to be traced. With a vigorous
works clearly and consistently on the
theory that Hamlet's "antic disposition
was an assumption, and occasionally in
PRODUCES action which binds closely into
the thread of the story speeches which are
ordinarily treated as mere declamations.
The unusual touches which he gives are
the more delightful because they are not
simple exhibitions of audacity but evil
dences of close and respectful study OF
the work which he has undertaken.
He is rather more effective in agitation
than IN Iepose, but he is at all times grace
full. The scenery is in keeping with the
careful spirit which marks the entire enter
prise Some of the stage settings are UNI
sually elaborate. The subordinate members
OF the company show gratifying compre-
hension CT the exigencies of their roles
Mr.. Hebert Pattee is intrusted with the
responsibilities which attach to the part nf
Laertes, and acquits himself handsomely
The part Is one which in several scenes
divides attention with the star himself and
Mr.. Pattee bore himself in manner which
permitted no comparison to his discred:t
mere is quiet humor about J. l.. Saph-
ores Poionfas which makes him a note
worthy element of the performance Miss
Lucia Moore depicts the melancholy career
OF Opnena In manner which is duly Win
some IN one phase and duly narrowing in
tne olher, and Chas. D. Herman very con-
scientiously projects himself as the ghost
or 1ncarnates himself as the king, as cir
cumstances may suggest. The production
is capable and most sincere undertaking
througnout. one which cannot fail to COM
mand the interest of every lover of Shakes
perian drama.
The National Theater-"The Midnight
Bell, which some persons say IS Hoyt's
pest production, was the attraction at the
National last night, with Digby Bell and
Like great many others of Hoyt's plays,
The Midnight Bell' is not entirely new to
Washington. OF THE Midnight BeIi'' and
Of the other two Bells not much more in
Erase can De said than has already been
said. However, this much may be said,
that Mr.. Bell has but set, or pair, or col
ie seton. or group of whiskers on Deacon
lIdd which are off in color, off in shane
ara ought to be off in fact. The support is
new to the Bells, though George Wright is
the original Martin Trip, type of New
england boy that Deacon Tlbb would he
CAD to exterminate. Miss Viola Miles is a
tvpical young school mistress; Miss Strick-
land, tom-boy girl, all heart and mischief.
MISS Dudley, snappy widow; Miss Bios
sem, pretty village maiden. ard Miss
oven owen a valuable hired help. Among the
clergyman; Frank Davis, a plain villain:
herman H1rshberg. a well-dressed LAWYER:
Gage Clark, an emotional bank teller: ". p
Sne,don, an honest bank president. ami
1t will be observed of very good neonIe'
which will make 1.-The Midnight Rell'' y
play whose popularity will probably remain
public. the
Academy or Music.-It has been a long
TO- n.-
this city. for he has kept himself very
close to the metropolis and its Immediate
nelghporhood of late. He returns to wash
, , with somewhat depleted com
and ability. His bill for the washington
week Is old Lavender" one of the strong
est character roles in which he has ever
t a1reu' me play itself is frail in it's tex
lure! lure though Astounding in villainy, hero
ISM, Jun and pathos but it is old Law,
ender' himself who holds the Interest
throughout. The portrait is that of a
repropate brother of a successful banker,
VINO, IN MS convivfal moods-kept secret
from his brother, also his EMPLOYERS
Drawn into the confidence of a connie of
young sharpers. who use him to secure
.ne payment OF a forged check. For this
act OF careiessneSs he is DISCHARGED from
ms position and sinks to the gutter He
becomes wharf loafer, living in an old
shlp's galley on the DOCKS caring only to
quench his everlasting thirst. But amid ali
his degradation, with all his deeeneracv
ne retains his prime characteristics. his
dignity, his high-sounding loquacty, his
cavaliers manner There is in this part
no trace of the brogue that has made Mr.
Harrigan famous That lack leaves = VOID
tnat Is felt by those who have seen and
heard him in his other famous parts such
as .Muliigan" and Reilly" Yet "Old
Lavender is. perhaps, a better part than
either Of these. with more chances for fine
acting and shading, and Mr. Harrigan
niahes the pest or these opportunities Some
OF the old members Of the company re-
main, but Mrs. Yeamans, John Wild ana
Ada Lewis are regretted for their absence
Miss Hattie Moore. however, does splendid
work in the part that would be filled nv
mrs. feamans If the latter were with the
company. She portrays a deaf old Eng.
ilsh-wonan, who keeps a sailors boarding
house. and she earns many hearty rounds
OF applause for her careful work. Other
parts IN the cast are competently taken,
Mr. Dave Braham, jr., should be specially
mentioned for his cleverness in the iuveniIe
role OF Dick, the Rat" The house last
night was very appreciative of the good
Work cone, and surrounded Mr.. Harrigan's
return with cordial atmosphere of good
feeling and approval.
Grand Opera House-The BartonKev
Kodak Comic Opera and Vaudeville Com.
pany. being snap shots at opera, comedy
ard 5urlesque, with James Barton Key as
,..n,a director and Mr. Watty Hydes as
musical director made its first appearance
!ast night In Washington at the Grand
before Il fair-sized audience only. There
are four features in the bill, to wit: ."The
Rose Of Auvergne." by Offenbach, with
MISS Edith Howe, Mr.. Chas. ]. Campbell
and Mr.. Fred Frear it the cast "a Fakir's
Cinch, musical Ta-ra-ra, with Mr. Bert
Clark and Miss Louise Hamilton in the
cast; The Girl from Hoboken," largely by
George X. Fortescue, with Walter Howe as
assistant, and last, Charity Begins ar
Home, one-act opera, with Messrs. Seth
Crane, Fred Frear and Charles Campbell,
and Misses Ethel Du Fres and Edith
Howe In the cast. The star of the largest
magnitude in the bill was George Fortescue.
who twinkled rather too long; Fred Frear
was next in order. and the others followed
doing the best they could with the material
they had to do it with.
The Biograph.-The s. r. o. sign was out
at Wizards Hall last night, and Mr.. Dur
ham, the biographer. had a great many
people to lecture to. The attraction was
lot of new pictures, including a pillow
fight by four children at early morn,
horseless fire engine at twenty-five miles
an he UT, whirling through the streets of
Hartford. the sound steamer Middleton
under full Roadway, an ocean liner leaving
New York, a new lightning express train
at eighty miles an hour. two new Joe JEFF
ferson RIP Van Winkle'' views and lot
more. Surely no more interesting and I'M
l. lar