Evening star., 1897-01-30
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vertise him. We have no other actor like
him il these particulars.
Lafayette Square Opera House-In fash
ionable circles certainly, and as q rule
among all earnest Washington playgoers,
there is always a buzz Of excitement when
visit from John Drew is announced.
This is more than usually in evidence just
now. for Mr.. Drew is not only coming to
the Lafayette Opera House for week, be-
ginning Monday night next, but he is bring
ing the greatest success of his entire ca
reer. and what is admitted to be the daiu-
test and most fascinating play of recent
years, the much-written-about Rose
mary 1t is from the pens of Louis N.
Parker and Murray Carson, and recently
completed a season of five months at the
Empire Theater, New York. We are prom
ised a play-and the reputation Of Rose
mary" gives color TO the promise-that will
disarm the cynics. convert the blase thea
tergeer, delight the judicious, charm the
poetic ally. inclined, give exquisite thrills to
matinee girls, young and old. and bring
genuine pleasure and relief to those who
problem plays. stage women with
'pasts," and other noxious things that
have assailed true dramatic art in this end
OF the century. Rosemary" is an exquis-
lite little love story, admirably told, abound
ing In humor, carefully blending its pa
thos, full of character contrasts and ex-
employing all the subtleties of what has
been called "the tragedy of comedy"
In which John Drew has appeared since he
beca me Charles Frohman's star five years
ago; and his work as "Sir Jasper Thorn
dyke, the middle-aged English squire, who
sacrifices his whole life to a beautiful mem-
ory and hallows his after years with a
sweet romance, is admitted to be the clev-
crest characterization this polished actor
has yet placed to his credit. Mr.. Drew's
support will. as heretofore, be headed by
Miss Maud Adams, though this will be her
last season as his leading lady. Next sea-
son she herself will be a star Others in
tne company are Arthur Byron, Harry Har-
wood Daniel Harkins. Grahame Hender-
son, Frank E. Lamb, Ethel Barrymore
Mrs. Deloss King and Mrs Annie Adams.
There will be matinees Wednesday and
Saturday.
New National Theater-Primrose and
Vests new big minstrels, who appear next
week at the New National Theater, lead in
the minstrel business. 1t takes two cars to
sories used by Primrose and West in pro-
duc1ng their entertainment, entitled Min
streisy, Past and Present" Regarding nov-
city, character and magnitude no minstrel
orsani5ation % ever announced has such a
decided advantage as Primrose and Vests
la test venture. The object of such a COM
bination Of white and colored talent is to
as far as practicable, the ad-
vancement made In negro minstrelsy since
the original band Of so-called serenaders
introduced that pleasing form of whole
some entertainment. The co3tuming and
scenic details for the new big4show this
year are said to outrival the most extrava-
gart investment in that direction ever
made. The following are some of the
analgamation of talent: Headed by the
king Of versatile comedians, Geo. H. Prim-
rose; the prince of interlocntors, William
H West; the emperor Of entertainers Geo.
Wilson: Jimmy Wall, the singing comedian:
the Miller Bros famous diorama, the
most entertaining speciality feature before
the public. presenting Incompatible me-
cha nical scenic marvels; Messrs Howe.
Wall and Walters, the musical comedy
kings. in a brand new departure; the Vocal
Corrs: VIM H. Window, the phenomenal
alto; Charles Kent, the eminent baritone;
Arthur Williams, the operatic tenor: Frank
PitZker, the wonderful baritone; George
Robinson, the lyric tenor; Ed. Dickens, the
finished basso profundo; John H. Davis,
secoI tenor. The great first part, as pre-
ser ted by this great company. Is a revela-
these experienced managers.
John L. stoddard.-Next week will be
marked by the return Of John l.. Stoddard,
to inaugurate another season Of his lee
lures, which have become a time-honored
institution in this city. Coming directly
from brilliant success in Boston. Mr.. Stod-
dard will bring out at the Columbia Thea
ter three of the lectures in the new course
prepared for his seventeenth season.
AT the opening occasion on Monday even
Ing Mr. stoddard will treat Of Heroic and
Scotland" The destinations OF
the land of Scott and Burns are unde-
nfable, both as to their natural charms
and their rich literary and historic asso-
Citations. This lecture will also be given
on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday evening the course will
be continued by a tour through rural Eng
land The average tourist finds himself
nrst in that country, and gets there en-
joyment scarcely exceeded in other lands
WI yuyifh ta11
guide, become there travellers Of the imag-
nation find potent charm In the revelations
given, both in present experience and In a
study OF those places which have become
familiar through the works of Snakes
peare and others. This lecture will be re-
peated on Thursday evening.
On Saturday evening, to be repeated also
on the following Monday evening. comes
lowstone National Park. 1t is Mr. Stod-
dard's first essay in treatment of his own
country. and the enormous crowds called
out everywhere especially for this lecture
attest both the interest In an American
subject and the ability with which the lee
turer has treated it. The Illustrations for
all the lectures are remarkable, but those
for the American lecture surpass anything
Mr.. Stoddard has before possessed.
Grand Opera House.--"True to Life" Mr.
Mckee Rankin's new play. produced SO
successfully in New York city, will be the
week. In the play Mr.. Rankin will appear
himself as an ex-convict, and Miss Nance
Nell; the clever young actress. who
seemed to set the whole of New York
crazy. will assume her original part, and is
likely to startle her audience, as she did
while In New York, by the rendition of her
role. The play is by Mr.. Rankin himself,
written in his best vein, and is pronounced
the best piece of property he has ever
owned. Even the old "Danites" is said to
be what Is termed q back number COM
pared to 1t, for It ia an up-to-date play.
dealing with emotions and responsive
echoes Of the heart, which bring tears to
the eyes of its listeners, and touches that
chord of human Kindness
which compels one to believe that we are
not all as bad as we are painted There is
also sufficient comedy Of a bright and
sparkling nature to relieve the pathetic
portion OF the play. Mr.. Mckee Rankin in
a sterling actor, and will be we'll supported
by shiny and competent company headed
by Nance O'Neil.
Bijou Theater.-Theater-goe at large
Will no doubt be glad to hear that the
funny tramp, Horatio Irving Booth will
stop In his peregrinations and lay over for
rest, the freight car in which he travels
being Side Tracked" at the Bijou Theater
next week. The play is well-known as a
good, rattling, sensational comedy, full of
fun. fire and ginger. and having been en-
tirely rewritten and strengthened, played
with fine cast. composed Of well-known
and fully proficient professionals Is maxi
ing more of hit this sea son than ever The