Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-30


with the business at the theaters, but some
good entertainments have been furnished.
Mr.. Wilton Lackaye has developed the
greatest popularity, and while the fact that
he is a native of Washington and that the
people are naturally proud of his achieve
ments had something to do with his sue
cess, yet his business rested upon the solid
ground of artistic endeavor. OF all the
actors that the capital city has sent out
Mr.. Lackaye has proved the most versatile
degree and has probably originated more
characters than any actor of his years on
the stage. And all these creations have
been successful, most of them to such a
degree that no other actor has been able
to equal Mr.. Lackaye's work. In his pres
ent play, "A Royal Secret" Mr.. Lackaye
has a fine opportunity to display his versa
tility, but it does not by any means afford
full scope for his powers. One Of these
days he will, 1t is hoped, secure a play that
will fit him in every respect, and then he
will add to his fame and make a fortune.
Miss Camille D'Arville's company did ex-
ceptionally good work, which was appreci-
ated. OF Miss D'Arville herself nothing
need be said as her capabilities are well
known, but she has unusually we'll
trained chorus, ard the voices are well bal
anced- The Castle Square Opera Company
set the standard for operate chorus,
but Miss DArville's force, while not so
large. sing equally as well and with nearly
as much volume.
In the second act of THE Serenade,' -
there is seen suspended from a perch on
the stage right very life-like parrot,
which girates, fiutters its feathers, and
apparently repeats the refrain OF The
Sere,rade." One of the biggest laughs in
the opera is furnished at this juncture,
w hon nah he
monastery wall. pistol In hand, trying 10
discover the whereabo of the would-be
singer After the prop parrot has delivered
himself of the refrain. Barnabee says.
We'll. he's not much of a singer; / don't
like his technique" and then discovering
the parrot, exclaims, why, it's polytech-
n.que- Now 1 understand what they meant
when they said Alvarado was bird" OF
course the effectiveness of this scene de-
ponds upon the manipulation of the bird
Ore night bird, bird cage and all fell to
the ground just before the scene above
mentioned. and on one occasion the bird
was not manipulated SO that the attention
of the audience was called to it, and at
another time the supposed polly failed to
give the cue to the comedian. During the
first production of this opera in New York,
Barnabee and Mcdonald received note
from an old lady in East Orange. New
Jersey. who said that she had bird that
had been carefully trained by her for a
number OF yearS-a pet cockatoo, which
The letter was at first thought to be the
emanation of a practical joker, but one
day both Macdonald and Barnabee were
aroused from their late morning slunbers
by the Old lady. who had come over, with
her cage and cockatoo, and who wanted
TO try it on the suffering singers. 1t took
strong argument to convince the old SPIN
ster that such bird would be considered
as excess baggage, and she went away rail-
ing at the ingratitude and lack Of perspic-
acity in managers, who failed to appreciate
the drawing qualities of a live bird.
Miss Florence Wraglapd, who has been
seen here this week, is Virginia girl,
who has been on the stage only about two
years, during which time she has been
connected with some excellent organiza
items She was with Lillian Russell when
she presented the Little Duke at the
Lafayette Square Opera House, and did
well in minor part. She went into bur-
lesque, because it paid better, but her am
bition is for the legitimate, and the intel
Hgence with which she read her lines In
dicates that she possesses the ability to
do that line Of work. 1t seems rather
strange that young woman who Ia re-
lated to several clergymen should adopt
the stage as a profession, but Miss Wrag-
lard believes that one can earn an honest
livelihood there as we'll as in the pulpit.
Mr.. AL Stern of this city whose imita-
ticns of actors have been so successful,
has made quite q hit in New York. Next
week he will go to the New Harlem Music
Hall. Mr. Stern's many friends here are
gratified at his rapid progress on the pro-
fessional stage.
Fanny Davenports new play. "A Soldier
OF France, has made pronounced hit in
Boston: 1t is given the most elaborate set
ting, the scenic effects and the costumes
Being said to be the most gorgeous that
have been witnessed. Careful attention
mas been given to historical accuracy of de-
IA cd I.
study involved must have been very great
Miss davenport Interpretation of the her
olne, Joan of Arc is said to be maryelously
eHective, and her work throughout the en-
Cre play Is highly praised by the severest
critics at the hub. In every act she is
given opportunity for the exercise of her
best powers, and this is improved to the
fullest extent, and In no former character
that she mas portrayed has she so thor
oUSnly shown the wonderful range of her
dramatic power. She is ably supported by
Nr Melbourne Macdonald, who as the
KING jester, brings out into strong relief
the heroiSrn and Self-sacrifce of the char
acter.
Mr. Hal Reid says that much Of the
story of his play, Human Hearts, is
founded on fact and not entirely a product
OF his skill, and that the Incidents were
brought to his notice while soiouruirs in
the back hills OF Arkansas with a hunting
party or friends Because of q most un-
timely seven days drenching rain they
We're compelled to abandon their camp that
mad become uninhabitable and seek shelter
with neighboring mountaineers family
III was In that mountain house shut away
from civilization We know it, that he
found the central characters of his play
and 1t was there that lie extended his So
1ourn for period OF three months to study
the strange. homeiy life, the quaint char
acters and the drawing dialect so uncem-
mon 10 our ears. From these simple peo-
pie he learned the story of lives made sor-
rowful through villainy, and by which he
Was enabled 70 give the intense human in
terest. representing all kinds of hearts,
and plot not unreasonable and happen
inSs that seem entirely natural, together
with an opportunity to contrast the purest
and noblest sentiment and action with the
most ignoble and basest feelings.
Mr.. Hans F. Roberts, who has been for
the past four years with Augustin Daily
during which time he has made rapid
strides in his profession, so much SO that
he was the understLdy for Jimmie Powers
has severed his ccnr ection with Mr.. Daly's
company and cast his fortune with Mr.
Chas. Frohman. Mr. Roberts Is now with
Mr.. Al. Candy as assistant stage man
ager Of the Circus Girl Company. which
Is rehearsing at the Knickerbocker Thea
ter and will open in Boston early In No
vember. He is fully equal to the re-
eponsibiiities of his new position. and the
change has been advantageous to Mr.. Rob-
erts both from financial and professional