Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-22
ADJUSTMENTS.

COLUMBIA THEATER.-The Columbia
Theater Stock Company appears to have
entered on crusade against precedent.
Its CHIEF aim seems to be to convince the
veteran playgoer that he has not seen all
the light comedies worth mentioning, as he
is sometimes prone to imagine. Whether
all the farces which the summer season is
bringing forth would stand the test Of win
ter prices and winter competition is
purely problematical matter, and has no
bearing on a discussion of the merits Of
the enterprise for present purposes. From
week to week the career of the company
has been a succession Of triumphs, each per-
Torrance showing more to commend than
to blame. Jack Robinson Is the third in
the series of new productions which has
proved so enjoyable ard creditable an
enterprise. The piece is rollicking, breezy
affair, with much in common with other
farces. the title roll being mythical
character invented for his own Grant
purposes by a husband who likes to
relieve the monotony Of life in Hart
ford, Conn.,. by occasional excursions
to New York city. kilograms signed
family, and the search through the me
tropolis for Mr.. Robinson constitutes the
motif which leads to those predicaments
which prove that the way of the trans
gressor may be not only hard. but exceed
ingly funny. To say that Jack Robin
son - In its present state is a well-cut and
satisfactorily polished gem of comedy
would be extravagant: but the crystal of
humor is unquestionably there, and further
attentions with a view to Increasing its
symmetry and briiancy will doubtless be
bestowed. Yesterday evening was one of
surprise so far as the company was con-
cerned. James o. Barrows stood forward,
as usual. with conspicuous yet unostenta-
tious humor. but the author has. rather
ungallantly, left little or nothing for the
ladies of the cast to do. Mr. Godfrey Stein
played the part of an eccentric Portuguese
gentleman in most admirable style. and
won an enthusiastic recall. Something of
the same sensation that experienced
when "hundred-to-one shot comes in a
winner at the race track was created by
the success which young Mr.. jefferson
achieved in the character of the near
sighted. studiouS juvenile, who for $3.50,
is induced to masquerade as the deeply
suspected Robinson" The part was COM
ically made up and very well acted. Mr..
William Ingersoll and Mr.. Bert c. Thayer
we've introduced members of the
ganiZation in the characters of two young
men of the genus extraordinary, who get
luiicrously entangled in the meshes of
their own deceptions. Mr.. Ingersoll is a
clever actor. with jocuad. good-fellowish
manner, which is certain to win him
friends. Mr.. Thayer has animation and
grotesque s1ale Mr. Walter s. Craven.
the author of the play. has given it the
benefit of experience afforded by work done
for Roland Reed, and has every reason to
ltel SIdtiutd tHe Hl5n.leT III WHICH last
nights production was received.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
Prom the lightest of light opera to the
heaviest of grand opera is big jump, but
the Castle Square Opera Company accom-
plished it at the Lafayette Square Opera
House last night in the double bill of PIN
afore'' and "Cavalleria Rusticana," and ac-
complished it in such way to leave the
impression that the present week is the
best of the engagement of the company
here. While the company has eSSayed
grand opera twice before, its work
then not quite up to the standard desired,
but last nights performance was in every
way an artistic success that should rank
the Castle Square Company high among
such organizations. The cause of this mer-
tied praise was undoubtedly the singing of
Lizzie Macnlchol. Joseph Sheehan and
Grace Golden. Joseph Sheehans singing of
Turridu was the most artistic piece of work
he has ever done here, and deserves to rank
with the best who have been heard in that
part here. Miss Golden's Santuzza was ex-
celent, both dramatically and vocaly, the
intensity and power with which she sang
her numbers proving that she is capable
of good work. Miss Macnichol had IL brief
score in the part of Lola, but she sang il
effectively and she acted the part to per-
lection. William Wolff was not an ideal
Alto, and 1t is believed that Mr. VIM. Stew
art would have been more pleasing in the
part. Still. Mr.. Wolff showed his verSatil-
ity and deserves credit for conscientious
work. Lizzie Fairbairn made excellent
Lucia, in keeping with the remainder of
the cast. Every one expected a firstclass
"Pinafore,' but even these who are the
nest familiar with the good work of which
the company is capable were hardly pre-
pared for the excellent performance that
was given William VOLTS Dick Deadeye
was the best piece of work in that charac-
ter that has been seen here. while Joseph
SheehaI fairly outdid himself in the part
of Ralph. his magnificent tenor voice being
heard with splendid effect in all his num-
berS. Bessie Fairb3lrn in line with
the rest of the cast and made enjoyable
Buttercup as one could wish to see and
hear. Arthur Wooley, as Sir Joseph, came
in for a large share of the popular favor,
while Frank Wooley, as the silent marine,
kept his audience in a continuous smile.
Arthur Cunningham made good Captain
CCrcoran. and A. Lieblee was good as the
hearty ''bosn'' and gained emphatic en-
core for his song "He is an Englishman"
Miss Judson made pretty Josephine, and
it Is no wonder that both Sir Joseph and
Rackstraw were in love with her. The
chorus was up to the requirements of both
the operas in every sense of the word In
'Cavalleria'' 1t did work that grants 1T the
right to rank with many grand opera COM
panies, while in "Pinafore" it fairly out
shone itself Director MoGhie, to whom a
lions share Of the credit belongs for the
excellent work of both cast and chorus all
this season, brought out on the piano the
harp effect in the intermezzo from the
"Cavalleria." and the encore given him
showed the appreciation of the audience
MS Spienulu WOrR Win the COMPARE
lively small orchestra at his command
Joseph Sheehan will sing Ralph in Pima
fore tonight. and after that performance
the part will be taken by Reginald Roberts
Miss Macnichol will also alternate during
the remainder of the week with Miss Fair
BARN in the role of Buttercup.
KERNAN'S LYCEUM THEATER.-The
new Henry Burlesque Company is the at
traction at kernans this week A
spicy comedy skit entitled Pink Dom
II os" opened the performance and gave
the audience chance to see the
company, which is composed of a number
of pretty girls In the olio Miss Mollie
Written sang a number of popular songs,
Clifford and Hall were entertaining. in a
ten-minute sketch entitled THE Singing
Lesson" and the OBrien sisters were a
captivating duo of songsters. Brooks and
Brooks cracked number of funny Jokes
and engaged in an assault at repartee.
Billy Barlow after an absence of two years
returned to make new hit in his eccen-
trio singing and dancing, and Carr and Nc
Leod, the minstrel kings, contributed a
musical act said to be the strongest be- /.
fnr thn