Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-28
ADJUSTMENTS.

COLUMBIA THEATER.-With an au-
dience that occupied even standing room,
an opera that is pleasing and company
that could bring out every point in it,wheth-
er of acting or singing, to the utmost salts
faction of the most critical mind, there was
little left to be desired by any one in the
production Of 1.-The Fencing Master" by the
Castle Square Opera Company at the Co.
lumbia Theater last night. The pro-
duction was staged with consummate skill,
and two more beautiful stage pictures than
the second and third acts could hardly be
devised. The music of THE Fencing Mas
tel" is not at all easy to sing, either. for
cast or chorus, and when it is considered
that it was first-nght performance, with
rehearsals for it going on at the same time
that other operas were being put before
the public, the slight breaks noticeable
could well be forgiven and put down to
entertaining" The chorus, after its OPEN
ing number, sang the finale to the first
act, the opening chorus to the second act
and it's finale with splendid effect, and Sc
cured hearty burst of applause for its
fine work. The cast was generally meri-
tcrious one. Miss Grace Golden has done
good work with the Castle Square Com
pany, and with other organizations, but it
ay be said that she fairly eclipsed all Of
her former efforts last night. Her stage
appearance was most attractive, while her
singing merited the enthusiastic outbursts
OF applause that 1t received. Her two
third. were thoroughly artistic, while the
quality and range of her voice surprised
even her most intimate admirers Next to
Miss Golden, William G. Stewart and Jo-
seph Sheehan carried off the honors. Shec-
hans solo in the second act brought him
abundant applause and showed both the
fine quality of his voice and his artistic
method. His serenade with the quartet in
the last act was equally as well done and
was also warmly received. Stewart has
not been seen here before this season, end
upon MS appearance was greeted with
burst or applause that was later swelled
INTO an ovation at the conclusion of bis
first solo. Mr.. Stewards acting was one of
the features of the production Arthur
Wooley did some excellent work as the
auke. ana was ably seconded by Raymond
Hitchcock as the astrologer. The pair
made all the fun for the evening and man
aged to Introduce some new business that
went with rush. Arthur Lieblee made a
good fencing MASTER while w. C. Brock
meyer and William Welsh jr. filed small
parts acceptably. Miss Gertrude Ouinlan
made vivacious Theresa, while Miss Pes
sic Fairbatrn as Marchesa acted the cart.
thcugh her voice failed to come I'D to the
scores requirements. Miss Gertrude Rut-
ledge, as the fnnkeeper, was in good voice.
ara hlled the part with satisfaction Miss
NINA Collins. who sang the part of Filippa
at very short notice, was evidently nerv-
Gus, but in her interpolated solo in the last
act she sang with good effect and received
handsome tribute of flowers. 1.-The Fenc-
us HidSleT Will De run all this week
there celng no change of opera.
NEW NATIoNAL.-From BERTHE the
Lamb. with his foppishness and his utter
innocence, to Lemuel JuckIin, with his
overalls, his love. for fighting ROSTERS and
his quaint worldly shrewdness is n long
step, even for Stuart Robson, but now that
1t has been taken, 1t is seen to be a good
lins' to the world for the first time last
season In this city. so Washington takes a
sort OF paternal interest in that delightful
FAMILY, son, daughter and parents-not to
mention the ROSTERS. The play is practi-
cally the same now as then but the com
pany that aids Mr.. Robson in its rendition
is somewhat changed, and for the better.
Last night the audience that laughed over
the elder Jucklin's indulgence in rooster
fighting and wept quietly over his grief at
the unhappy fate of his son, was Of large
size and amply disposed to be entertained.
Lemuel Jucklin. be 1t remembered is n
North Carolina farmer who has never been
'wollered." and who has one dominating.
aii-pervadfng passion-roosters. He believes
In the Bible from kiver to kiver." He has
complete faith in his wife, who comes
from the stock that stood at the stake"
He lisps. just as does Berthe and Tony
Lumpkin and other characters into which
the popular and accomplished actor has
infused his own richly humorous PERSONAL
ity. He CLOVIS with unctuous delight when
he finds that the local preacher has chosen
for his text scriptural reference to the
uSH S1tHcfhS ueT CHiCh6iS unuer ner wing.
as indicative of biblical leaning toward
ROSTERS. He is beloved by all, and he is
an easy victim to the wiles of an unscrtl-
pulous physician, who has discovered that
the Jucklin farm contains a rich vein of
mica, and is anxious to buy the place for a
song that he may sell 1t for fortune I'm
der these circumstances, from which Lem
uel and his entertaining family emerge tri-
umphantly in the fourth act. after the son
has been freed from charge of murder
on which he had already been convicted
there is nothing more delightful, pathetic
and at times riotousiy amusing in the
whole of Mr.. Robson's entertaining roper
toire Mrs. Samuel Charles does superior
work as Mrs. Jucklin. This painsta king
actress has seldom been seen to better adj
vantage through her long and successful
career in support Mr.. Ernest Lamson
who will be remembered as having played
| the part of the lover Of the pretty girl in
Shore Acres" a season or two ago was