The evening times., 1897-03-02
ADJUSTMENTS
National-sol smith Russell.

Whatever the play, Sol Smith Russell is
always the attraction to his innumerablt
| following, who crowd the theater where
| he is pla wing. He is one of the few excep-
tions who prove the rule that 1.-The play s
the thing So il is comparatively sec
ondary consideration that he produced a
new play ct the National lastnight. Had il
been any of the old fayorites in classic
comedies of his accumulated repertoire, the
large audience and practically the same
audience would have been present
The new play, "A Bachelors Romance" :"
is from the prolific pen of Martha Morton
| The dramatist has achieved double sue
! cess, for She has not only completely suited
Mr.. Russell with a new character, but she
has written play OF integrity and charm
worth existence independent of the es-
pecial value which this comedians re-
sources give to it, If it is deficient in
sustained strength il is because the dram
| atist has wisely avoided an effort foreign
| TO her possibilities She has written
| prettily and truthfully, directly to the heart,
the source of laughter as well as tears.
| Mr. Russell plays an editorial recluse, who
| falls in love with his ward when she has
| given her heart to another. His denote
ment Of indifference, awakening. discern
ment, demonstration and sacrifice were
given with artistic distinction, truth,
humor and sentiment. Especially good was
the scene, for both participants, MI Rus
sell and Mr.. Denham, in which Davidhands
back the rejected manuscript which was
competitor for the prize.
Mr.. Denham, Mr.. Hudson, Mrs. Pitt and
the Misses Creighton and Moreland were
notably happy in their portrayal of the
other characters.
Columbia Strayed or Stolen"
Lingeriei 1 thank thee, Mr. Dunn. for
teaching me that word. 1t is the only
word in French or English to epitomize
Lost, Strayed or Stolen,'' at the Columbia
last night. At times there were songs,
frequently music. dancing at intervals,
and comedy on occasions. but all through
and round about every impression which
susceptible memory brings away, is the
shuttle of legs, the flutter of skirts, the
vision OF layers and layers OF soft, white,
lacedlngerie.
And the boys liked it; everybody liked
it. There was unanimous verdict on
the part OF the large audience that the
comedy of lingerie was all right. Dickens
said when one sins he should at least sin
in good company. Cheever Goodwin has
thought best to crib from a good source.
lie has done well in going to the French
for his new piece.
Goodwin, however, has not provided the
whole show. There is the man who made
the lingerie and the girls who display il,
and the men and music, and q dozen de-
tails. Georgia Caine is a new fad for the
boys in front. She has not announced
whittier she has sprung, but she has lighted
in the full glare of the lime-light In the
center OF the stage, and the verdict is that
she has struck the proper place and pose.
Rose Beaudet and Fannie Bulkeley are two
other charming bits OF femininity, who will
be stolen before they will be permitted 70
be lost or to stray. Louis Harrison, Bob
Cotton, Paul Dresser and Claude Brooke
are an uncommonly good quartet OF come
dians. Henry Bergman is excellent as a
Cuban.
Lafayette-"The HeaItof Maryland"
Washington is proud Of Heart OF Mary
land and the gentlemen connected with
this production Will have reason to be
proud OF Washingtonians if the patronage
keeps up TO the standard placed at the
Lafayette last night. The play comes back
to the city of its nativity the proclaimed
success Of the day.
MT Belasco has eclipsed all his former
works i'm the Heart OF Maryland He has
reversed the judgment which was forming
that the war drama was worked out, and
he has demonstrated that play of patri-
otic impulse and dramatic power may be
than this, he has placed a precedent TO him
self which it Will be difficult even for him
to surpass.
Mrs Carter, his protege and pupil, shows
the blossoming OF her own resources, and
the value OF BelaScos attention She 10
rapidly assuming place as a great actress
Academy -"GI eat Diamond Robbery"
The Academy could not have found
more popular melodramatic play for its
Inauguration week patrons than The
Sreat Diamond Robbery
No description of the play or the players
need be repeated here. Itis only necessary
to say that the production is the same as
whent wasatthe Nationalsome week ago,
except that the great tragic actress,
Nine. Janauschek, has returned to her
original part Of Frau Rosenbaum Annie
Yeamans remains to make laughter out
of her inlmitable Irish drolIeries and George
Boniface repeats the great death scene
Others in the cast are Louise Closer,
Joseph Whiting, Tom Hunter, Fanny Co
henand 6 ustaye FrankeL
Grand-"Off the Earth"
Eddie Foy has not before visited Wash
ington since he has stepped out OF the
ranks into the firmament of stars. He was
formerly the chief of David HenderSon's
comedians in the fairy extravaganzas and
made an enviable reputation
Foyis funny. His fun is left handed and
unexpected; he is awkward, quaint, and
unconventional, but he draws laughs and
applause and that is his object His
cluster is a nondescript character, but it
fills the bill. With him is a pretty little
bit Of femininity. Mary Marble who plays
Dimples, and she scatters sunshine and good
cheer al Through the piece Her specialties
were thoroughly enjoyed for they were
entirely good. Marie De Campi, as
Prince Charley, and James Sullivan, as
Stag Party, gave excellent support, and
the others of the large company were gen.
orally commendable.
Market HaIl-Conterno's Band.
Conterno's Concert Band presented DR..
ConternO's famous patriotic spectacle, The
Battles of Our Nation at Center Market
the auspices of the Second Regiment, d. C. |