Evening star., 1897-04-03

stageland will he the engagement of Mr..
John Hare at the Lafayette Square Thea
ter for the week beginning Monday even
Ing next. This distinguished and most de-
hghtful of all English comedians is now on
his second American tour. directed by
Charles Frohman- Recently played a
brilliant engageT ent of two months at the
Knickcrbocker Theater New York. with
the very same plays that he will present
here and it Is needless 20 say that they
will be given in the very same complete
manner Mr.. Hare has brought all his
scenery and stage accessories from his
London theater- John Hare spent week
in Washington last season and there are
no more pleasing memories than the re-
suits of that engagement
Mr.. Hare's second entrance to the favor
of WSshingtouiaDs will he made in a play
altogether rew here. The Hobby Horse" "
Its respeciabihty a literary achieve
ment and as a sample of the highest type
OF Stagecraft VIII scarcely be questioned
in advance when it is stated that Pinero
Is its author. 1t deals with the entangle-
ments of an old husband and Young wife.
both of whom are visionary philanthropists-
The husband is an enthusiastic follower of
the turf, and cCnceives the idea of estab-
fishing home for decayed Jockeys. The
wife is emotional and impulsive crea-
ture. who longs TO penetrate the slums of
the great cities, rescue the children from
the poverty and degradation which sur
round them and turn them loose in the
bright and happy country. In the effort OF
each to carry out the respective schemes
of philanthropy. the complications in the
home fer decayed Jockeys the adven-
lures of the young wife in the poorest
parish In London, the mistakes of a love-
sick curste, and the necessary side issues
devoted to Cupid's work, are found ele-
ments of diversion for an evenings delight
full entertainment with the best form of
histrionic Grt as its basis. The Hobby
Horse. which calls for the entire strength
OF Mr. Hare.s company, will be presented
rlirVcr -Tiar- n
Thursday evenings and the only matinee
Saturday, will be very interesting occa-
sions. indeed. for on them John Hare will
revive Tom Robertson's celebrated comedy
Caste. which when we'll played has
always bean a favorite of extraordinary
proportions.
Sydney Grundy's ever-delightful comedy.
"A Pair of Spectacles." the brilliant
cess Of last season. will be given Wednes-
day and Saturday evenings. with Mr.. Hare
In his original character of Mr.. Benjamin
Goldfnch, and Mr.. Charles Groves as Uncle
Gregory-in fact. with about the same cast
seen here last year. II will be preceded by
when George the Fourth Was King" for
the first time In Washington. 1t is pretty
ore-act play, written by Francis w. Moore.
and affords good opportunities for four of
Mr.. Hares best players. Mr.. Hare will be
supported by his London Garrick Theater
Company. of which the following are the
principal members: Messrs Chas. Groves,
Frederick Kerr, Gilbert Hare Frank Gill
E,ore. Fisher White. Charles Goold, W. NJ.
Cathcart. A. Grenville. E. Vivian Rey
holds and Misses May Harvey, Susie
Vaughan. Mona X. Dram. Nellie Thorne,
Edith Hewlins and Laura McGilvray.
New National Theater-The New Ma
tional Theater- will present for the last
times Sardous brilliant play, Madame
ming next Monday. Madame Sans Gene
has played now over three years. and In
that time success has crowned every en-
gagement. Kathryn kidder and her part.
AnRnSTnS pirOn have
rich through this enterprise, and now this
star. who has gained fame through this
play. Will seek another vehicle TO add to
her renOwn as an actress The cast that
will comprise the list of players that are
engaged in this production mostly of
the originals. that were seen here before.
with probably the exception of Mr.. James
Cooper. who will be seen as Napoleon for
the first time. also two new additional
members. namely. in the persons OF Cath
crime Campbell and Francesca Lincoln,
who play the roles of Queen Caroline and
the princess. respectively. Manager Pitou
will present this beautiful play with all
the magnificent scenery. tapestries cos
TUNES, bric-a-brac and historic furniture
that are as fine as ever, having been re-
created this season 1t can he
stated that these performances Will posi-
lively prove to be the farewell nights of
this success here 1t Is but timely that
Washington should enjoy its farewell, as
# was here in the capital that Madame
Sans Gene" first saw the light of day and
II is but tribute to our theater-goers that
it should close here
Columbia Theater- - Although strictly
speaking Miss Annie Russell will appear for
the first time a star in the forthcoming
production OF Madeline Lucette Ryley's
play, The Mysterious Mr.. Bugle." she has
enjoyed the distinction of Stars prom
tnence ever since her memorable perform
ance of Tennyson's Elaine" There is
every reason for believing that Miss Rus
sell VIII find the best opportunity she has
yet had in this new play of Mrs. Rylcy's.
Madeline Lucette Ryley has the evident
faculty Of being able to fit the particular
star for whom she is writing. but she pos
sesses the far greater gift OF being able TO
suit the prevailing taste at the same time.
Miss Russell can express both humor and
pathoS irrestStbly. II The Mys terious
Mr.. Bugle," which is a farce pure and
simple, there Will be place for pa;hos
but her sense of humor will be sure TO have
unlimited scope With Annie RusseIIs ex-
quisite charm of personality and her very
untheatrical methods. Tine Mysterious
Mr.. Bugle Will acquire a refinement and
dignity not often found in light comedy
and II should. moreover, rather add 10 than
detract from the fun. for it will make it
the more genuine In selecting Joseph Hol-
land for the opposite role 10 Miss Russell
the management has done wisely for her
delicious abandon could not nave a better
background than she will find in the studi-
Gus earnestness Of this sterling comedian.
The Mysterious Mr.. Bugle'' Will be given
Its first production at the Columbia Theater
next Monday night, under the personal
supervision of the author
Academy OF Music--"CharIey's Aunt" re-
turns Eext week. this time at the Academy
Of Music The man who can make the
public forget for about three hours hard
times. family t8Cubes and cloudy skies and
transform an elderly assemb.agc into a rel
licking crowd Of ny-spirited laughers.
deserves well OF his generation. Charley 3
Aunt performs this miracle and by its
power Brandon Thomas becomes a phiian-
thropist as well playwright. The first
scene Of the farce Is an introduction but
from then on 1t is one long laugh. Its
lines are bright. and its fun so pure and
healthy that the people who applauded
over and over again never seemed to tire
Of the repeating Of the hunlor and the
funny situations The piece is an admira-
Bile example OF dramatic construction. The
situations are delightfully."- absurd and con-
sistently introduced. No one motive Is
dvc!t upon al unnecessary length. the ac-
ton Is rapid. and the lires are punctuated
with a wealth Of bright and epi-dramatic
dtaiog Ie- II is play that was written
10 ahuse and IL fills the bill in all re-
quireInents. The company carries no stars.
Each man and woman has a part to per-
form and each does his OF her duty in an
entirely satisfactory manner.