Evening star., 1897-03-15
AHVSC.1EyTS.

Grand Opera House.-"The Span of Life, ~
an English melodrama that has created
considerable comment wherever presented.
comes to the Grand Opera House this week.
with usual matiToes Wednesday and Sat
urday. The story of the play is laid in
England and Africa, but begins on the
coast of Devonshre, and, briefly, is that
of the persecution of young woman
and her lover by her cousin, who aspires
to possess her fortune, and to obtain which
he stoops to all sorts of vi1ainy. The ac-
ton opens with unsuccessful attempts
to ruin the hero, Richard Blunt, followed
by unsuccessful attempt upon his life.
From England the scene shifts to Africa,
where, after seven years. the hero and
heroine are found. Blunt having located a
diamond belt. Dunstan Leech. the villain.
appears slave trader at the head
of band of Arabs, and he captures Blunt's
wife and child. They released by the
hero, but are pursued by the Arabs. Find
ing that the bridge over gorge had been
removed, with no other means of escape
open. they are preparing to kill them
selves. when their friends throw them
selves across the gorge and form human
bridge. 1t is from this scene that the play
takes Its name.
The Biograph-Tt will be pleasing news
to the amusement-see of Washington
to know that the Biosraph exhibitions
which have charmed many persons in
for few weeks longer. Mr.. Jay Durham.
a well-known newspaper man, has assumed
the control of the machine and the eXhibi-
tions will be conducted much on the same
lines as they have been in the past. An
entire new list of pictures will be secured
although a few of the old ones which have
been SO successful will be retained and the
exhibitions will be enjoyable in the ex-
treme.
Mr.. Croffut's Lecture-Mr. w. A. Crofut
loI;1 ipfn tinp 1anfII on .
Bernudas. Cuba and Iucatan. at Typo
graphical Temple last night. the proceeds
of the entertainment being for the benefit
Of the Newsboys' Home. The lecture was
under the auspices of the Secular League,
and was we'll attended. The Illustrations
used were well adapted for the purpose and
ELECTED applause, especially when the pic
lures of the leaders of the Cuban insur-
gents We're thrown upon the screen. Mr.
John Hutchinson. the only survivor of
the Hutchinson family of singers and
who has not appeared in public for long
period of years, gave a couple of selec-
tionS that We're apprecia ted.
ben Hur'-Mr John p Clum of Cali
fornia Will deliver mis- celebrated lecture on
Ben Hur' at the Carroll Institute Hall
tonight for the benefit of the relief fund OF
John A. Rawlins Post, No. l. G. A. K.
The lecture will he profusely illustrated
hy 21 handsome pictures, and will
he given by Mr.. Clum for the first time IN
tns city.
Soldiers Home.-An entertainment will
be given at Marble Hall. Soldiers Home.
tomorrow evening for the benefit of the
relief fund of the Legion of Loyal Women.
There will be vocal ard orchestral music.
camp life, illustrated with musical effects:
fancy dancing and recitatiors and pa
triotic drill by sixteen young misses. Mr..
VIM. H. Comfy and other excellent talent
will participate in the program. the Home
is easily reached by the Brightwood avenue
cars at Boundary and 7th street. which
transfer to the Soldiers Home line. The
object is worthy one, the entertainment
will be attractive and there should be
large attendance.
The Vitascope-The wonderful vitascope
is cozly established in VitaScope Hall. adj
joining Columbia Theater. and has proven
here as it has elsewhere, a most delightful
and taking form of amusement Every
evening last week the hall was packed to
tha doors. and standing room was at a
premium. Although the vitascope made its
first appearance at Roster & Balls New
York theater. scarcely more than a year
ago. it has attained a Worldwide reputa-
tion and has a score of imtators. under
various names. All of these infringing
graphs and scopes 1t Is said. will be
brought to grief by the owners of pending
vita scope patents. the issue of which is but
a matter of short time. The hall has
proven Inadequate to accommodate the
evening crowds, Notwithstanding the fact
thai its seating capacity has been twice en-
larged- No seats are reserved. and the
wise ones come early to secure seats. Every
one who mas seen these exhibitions catches
the Vitascope fever