davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1897-03-21

Wilton LacEaye, native Washingtonan,
is today conceded to lie one Of the best
actors on the American stage, and a S he
will make his bow as a star al the New
National Thedter tomorrow night, where
his stage career, which has been marked
with so many successes, commenced. He
was a reader OF prominence, and much
sought after for local entertainments. ana
when the Barrett Dramatic Society was
organized in this city in 1880 he was one of
the first to he enrolled among the members.
Tim Murphy, Charles b. Hanford, James
A Mahoney, j. Writ Cahil, Frank Hayes,
Annie Lewis, Julia Wheeler and others
were among the amateur players. The
first performance was The Merchant of
Venice and Lackaye was cast for Sal
arino." He then showed his artistic
abilities as an actor, and added to his
Iaurels by excellent interpretations OF
Marc Antony" David GarFick'' and
other important roles. His success was
assured, and he was prompted by the
knowing ones TO join the professional ranks.
BE first came into prominence in New
York city, where some years ago those
who attended the performance OF She
at Niblos Garden, saw a fine looking
young fellow playing the part of Leo; he
had hut very little to do, but everybody
remarked his grace and handsome figure.
He was set down on the bills as Wilton
Lackaye, but very few people in New
York had ever heard of the young actor
"A short time after that, as the New York
season was closing, Admiral orter's
Allen Dare was brought forward at
the Fifth Avenue Theater and on its first
performance, Wilton Lackaye, as Robert
lie Diahle, made prominent hit lie was
now for the first time considered ny the
New York critics-a most interesting
thing for him. Lackaye's next important
character in New York, after his debut
in tAllan Dare" was as Gouroc, in Steele
Mackaye's play OF Paul Kauyar" He
acted this role with great power. It was
not the everyday heavy villain of the |
stage. He put intoit many original touches |
a nd gave great satisfaction to the author, |
The times., 1897-03-21

hada biography written, butthere are mile
stones in his life, as in most other success
ful mems. He was Torn in Bethlehenl-nOt
in Judca, but Pennsylvania. This first
nilcst one is marked 1864, which makes
him thirty-thrce years old. From the
very first he has been in the theatrical
business. He began at his own town as
program boy. Then he climbed success
siyely behind the curtain as pI operty man,
fly man and grip man and ''in II ont'' as
usher, head usher, treasurer and finally
as mana ger.
He was only sixteen when he started out
with his first 81 ow. 1t was Wiiiiamson's
minstrels. But he did not stick to the road.
In 1887 he ass oc!ated himself with John d.
Mishier, the man WHO controls nearly al
the principal theaters outside of Phila-
dephia. Mr.. Mishler made him PARTNER
and mana ger of his Allentown house He
renamed in this incompatible schooling
for six years.
In 1894 he came to W ashington, and for
the first time in his life engaged in enter
The times., 1897-03-21

tions, such as move simple and profound
natures, find their right expression In
simple, grand tones, are the basis, and
as about such a theme in dI anna, SO about
the tonic in opera are bGiltup those harmo-
NOUS embellishments which appeal to the
music lover directly through the heat, but
to the musicianly through the technical
sensitive ear of a scholar.
Irish opera has not been entered into
with the same ends as stimulated the con-
ception of Irish drama. There are no
Irish plays which stand 20 high relatively
to drama in general as the present in
stances OF Irish opera do to opera in
general. There is no cheap wit or stCddy,
patriotic appeals, or convenuonalities $
which have heretofore crystaiized the
idea OF Irish drama The racial temper
ameat, not merely popular idiosyncracies.
is expressed in the music. Carmen eX-
presses the Spanish character, WagneT's
operasare thenathral expression OF German
temperament, Aida stands III the same
relation TO the Egyptian, III Trovatore' TO
the Italian, and the musical scholars say
OF the present instances of Irish opera
that they are worthy expressions Of the
Celtic national spilit, in Brian Bonn as
existant in primative days, in 'Shamus
O'Brien.' as found in the end of the last
century. ~
Two very pretty bits Of Irish tradlti onal
mythology, the Banshee and the Lepre-
chaun, have been utiizedby the composer If
'Shanns. The Ranshee is female spirit.
more oftenhcard than seen but represented
as clothed in flowing white robe and
with long disheyelled hair. Her missi ION
Is to give warning OF approaching death,
and this she does by shrIl melancholy
"kcening.' By no means all Irish fan.-
lies enjoy the honor OF u Banshec-only
few Of the leading houses OF pure Nile sian
descent, and before death of any member
OF one OF these privileged families, TIE
vail OF the Banshee may always be heard.
thrice repeated for three successive nights.
1t is regarded as a matter OF pride by any
lrishmant hat Banshce is attached 10 his
house The Lcprechhun is little spirit
who assumes the grotesque appearance OF
tiny old man. He is generally employed
i'll niending shoes and the tap, tap. )f his
wee hammer sometimes leads to his capture
He fFequents mountains, hoSs, AMI solitary
places, and is regarded as the custodian
of buriedt rea sure. The wherea bouts ofthis
he Canbc compellcdtp reveal 10 anyone for
t tunate enough ito find him and adroit
CROUCH to hold him This last is no easy
matter, forth tricky little spirit uses every
device to induce his captor to look away
from him. II this is done, even Tor a
second, the LepreChaun vanishes. along |
with the hopes of the treasure-seeker In
Ireland, when anyone becomes suddenly
The times., 1897-03-21

prises not associated with the theater.
But the old love was stronger than the
new The little theater, then Harris, so
famous n capital theatrical history, had
been closed for a year. Mr.. WhiteseIl
could not resist the tempta ton to open
IT, He renovated it completely, and the
beginning OF the season gave Washington
popula l. priced family theater-the Biiou
S. Goodfriend is an old newspaper man
and enjoys a wide acquaintance among
newspaper men in Washington He hap
pened to meet group of old acquaintances
on the Avenue the day after his arrival, and
was Immediately hailed in regard to the
business that brought him to the city
Il am ahead of "Spirtisme," replied
the theatrical manager, pronouncing the
title with the final ''e' silent
You don't mean 'Spiritisn;;' you mean
'SpjritisIue, !" observed Jay BiOgraph Dur
ham, sounding the "e'' broadly and dis
tinctly.
mo, no." interjected Billy Grouse; "you
mean 'Spiritime,'
You are all wrong" said Amos Cum
mings; ''it Is 'Spiritsime.' -
Mr.. Goodfriend retired under this shove
The times., 1897-03-21

New Woman" Jim, the Penman,' and
many others. His hit in Svengali there
fore, was but the continuation Of series
of successeses eliminating in the natural
result, n starring tour, which has been more
successful than his mott ardent admirers
anticipated.
The Washington public is proud of Wilton
Lackaye, and he is sure to be greeted by
large and fashionable audiences. His COM
pany is one OF the strongest that has ever
been organized, and DR.. BeIgraff is said to
give all possible scope for his wonderful
portrayal OF character parts.
Grand opera in Chicago is not loved for
its own sweet sake. The gentle West
erners fancy an eX change of coin and paste
board on a purely commercial basis. Be-
cause some of the principal prime donne
are Ill and away, the music Of Bizet,
Verdi, Wagner and the other masters,
has no charm. So, after all, Chicago
reveals itself Snob to individual pre-
euinence; a prey TO the press agent: inca
pable OF nationally artistic distinction ana
appreciation of music and voice for their
own sakes. They have been told SO long
the great and only, that they really fancy
the fiction, and refuse to accept tho De
Reszkes Plancon, La Sale, Calve, Bauer
meister, Mantelli, Guunod, BiZet, Mascogni
and the orchestra and chorus of the Net
ropolitan, without the two singers Ito
boot -
The times., 1897-03-21

The possibilities for acquiring new facts
| in this world is astonishing How man =
of US knew that Sardou believes in spirit
ualism and actually believes himself a
medium? His much discussed "SpiritiSme''
brings this out Following Is an extract
from q letter written ny NJ. SardOu in reply
certain cuts be made In 'Spiritfsme"
previous to- its production at the kncRer-
booker Theater in New York:
.Everybody here knows that for forty
years have been & wonderful medium my
self, and have had in my own house won
derful manifestations. My piano has pla ed
by itself. Flowers have fallen from my cell
ingupon table, and itisI who have brought
this about, and they dare not lay a my door
calumnies such astTue mediums are exposed
to and say to me, asthey had the inlpudence
osay to Hume that am eharla tan. For
the last forty years have said to whoever
would listen to me that would consider as
idiots those who allow themselves to be
taken in by the agents Of jugglery frauds
and mOuntebanks. l should equally regard
as imbeelles those people who deny the
reality Of phenomena attested to by men
of science and people like myself. For that
reason my play is awaited for to see what
l shall say. 1t is the first time that anyone
has dared to put spiritualism on the stage,
andthe papers have been publishingrecentl
experiences which are very similar to those
referred to in my list act-the misplacing
Of objects without touching them, hands
seen and felt These hands have been press
ed in mine. And this l have told to the
world briefly. People will deride me; they
will argue; the ineredulous will deny, the
believers will send me flowers It will
be struggle and test, but it will be power
ndhonors, andI donot wish to compromise
the victory in the battle by depriving III yself
of a single cannon ball. For this reason
The times., 1897-03-21

| although the startling reality of his por-
| trayal prevented him from having any
| sympathy with the audience MIR. Lack
| ayes splendid art showed very Torcibly
| here. III there is any doubt but what
| Lackaye can transfer his accomplishments
| from one extreme to another he should
| he seen in such a part as Demetrius, in
| "Midsummers Night Dream" which he
| p!ayedvcry successfully during the summer
| of 1883, at McVicker's Theater in Chicago
7 Another distinct hit was made at the
| Star Theater, In New York, when Wilton
Lackaye appeared for a couple of weeks
| as Saviam, in "Jocelyn," with Rose
| Coghlan. This was really the talk of the
town among those who We're watching the
advance made by this young actor, but
afterward, when he opened with ''Feath.
erbrain," at Madison Square Thcater, mis-
Don Stephano was new revelation of his
ability
Presuma bly,, il was because OF this piece
OF acting that Mr. Daily engaged him for
his stock company. MIR Lackaye made a
great hit as De Noirville i'll Roger La
Hoate," at Niblo's, under Mr. Daly'S man
aGement. Then he was given the part Of
p'Donnell Don at Mr.. Daly's thcatcr in
The Great Unknown" AT the close of
this run Lackaye's association with the
company was at an end Since then he
has played in Money Mad" The Dead
Heart" The Pembertons.' ''My Jack"
The Skirmish Line" "Featherbrain.
Shenandoah" Col Tom and The
Power of the Press" Then Mr. Lack;iye
went TO England and became a member of
the St James Thcater Company, and ap.
Dnlrpu in E'rTHp with trrp.,t crIc
cess
After his return from England ne az
pcared in Pomradour," Mr.. Wilkinson S
Widows. "Aristocracy' and other pieces
During his stay with A. NJ Palmer he en-
acted the leading roles in Lady Windcr-
mere's Fan, Dancing Girl. IS aints au,
Sinners" Alabama, "A Woman's Re-
venge,' The American Heiress,' Price
of Silence" The TransgTeSsor, New |
Blood" The District Attorney The |
The times., 1897-03-21

An aggregation Of pretty girls, witty
comedians. bright speciality stars and novel
ties cannot fail to prove attractive. A
very choice offering in sam T. Jacks new
"AdaH!less Eden Company will be seen at
Kernan's LyCeum Theacer next week. The
performance viii commence with a Parisfau
musical sOiFee. Among the many features
that follow must be meatiJIe = K fried, the
man Orna1yf yfaces the GOldel Gaze quartet,
the fascinating, beautiful living picture Of
The Sirens" for the first time here; Miss
Anna Dare. a contortioniSt; Vernon and
Delmcr, character sketch; Ada T. Downia-.
descriptive vocalist: George T. BebaD, the
vocal comedian: Mr.. Jacks own sensational
production OF his greatest Of living pictures,
After the Deluge;'' Silvo. solOist on mu-
sical glasses; the spectacular burlesque,
''Old Age and YOUTH introducing the
groups Of ancient statuary, and the latest
Partisan success, The Moulin Rouge Quail
rille." Special scenic and electrical er-
fects are carried ana the ballet is a largo
one.
The times., 1897-03-21
wish to retain the arrangements bring
forward in my play.''
NJ. Sardou probably had not heard of the
seance scene in "a Social Highwayman."


Eugene Herman, manager of kernan'5
| Lyceum Theater, was born in Baltimore
| nearlysisty years ago. Heis OF good Ameri-
| can stock, though he can trace his ancestry
| back to the Emerald Isle. His father was
| prominent merchant of the Monumental
| City, and was closely identified with Mary
| land politics.
Eugene chafed under the restraints of his
fathers counting house, and at an early
age ran away and shipped on merchant
vessel. He proved an excellent sailor and
followed the sea a number OF years, circunl-
navigating the globe again and again. He
became first mate OF his vessel at an early
age, and was captain of one Of the finest
trading ships Oh the Atlantic when he
abandoned seafaring life. His life ON the
sea was full of adventure. 1t was in the
days of pirates and smuggIers, with whom
Capt. Herman often had to contend. His
courage and his honesty made him one Of
the most respected captains Of that period,
whose services traders often sought.
No sooner, however, had he given up this
adventurous life than the governorship OF
the Island of Navassa, then wild, isolated
spot, almost cut off from all means of COM
EUUlCaJIOU WIFI IHt ClNlllZeu w as
offered to him This was mos responsible
and trying position, requiring an indOmit-
able will, great courage and absolute in
tegrity. Gov. Herman assumed charge and
ruled the little island without difficulty.
Next we find him back III his native city,
where he opened theater upon the site
upon which the Monumental Theater now
stands 1t was here that he inaugurated
an effort to elevate the variety stage and
bring it within the pale Of reSpectability.
1t was at this time that he was chosen a
member of the Baltimore City Council, be
coming prominent in politics, and an enthu-
siastic political leader. But Manager Ker-
nan became tired Of a stationary position,
ard left Baltimore to give his attention To
his road attractions, Of which he had sew
eral. He carried a number OF excellent
companies over the country, and was the
last manager Of the late Alice oates,
Mr. Herman became manager of the Ly-
ceum Theater in $50, when the house had
gone to ruin But his brother, determined
to save the theater, placed him in Charge
confident that his ability and experience
would enable him to restore the old house
to popularity Washington knows weIl
how the theater has been built up.
The times., 1897-03-21

Irish opera is an important new factor in
music. For years the romance of the witty,
brave, affeCtionate Irishmcn has been the
subject ofdramas good, bad and indifferent
But while every other civilized land all
the uncivilZed countries and various re-
gions which have place only in the geog-
raphy OF the imagination, have contributed
subjeCt-matter for the opera-Inakers, the
possibilities OF Ireland have been neg
lected, atlcast until this year The present
season has witnessed the success Of two
works in which ireland has furnished the
thfme. One OF them was Brian Boru,''
which was to have opened the Columbia If
the theater had been finished early enough,
and the other is "shamus o'Brien," at
that theater this week.
Mr.. J b. Shaw, who is avant courier Is
earnestly interested in the new school of
opera. II find some difficulty said he,
''in making understood the real char
acter of Irish opera, in the form now pre-
sented It is not Irish in the same way as
Irish drama. In Brian Boru the theme
is necessarily legendary and heroic, for this
hero was u power in the early centuries
of Irish history. Shamus 0'Brien is the
hero of i poem describing brave daunt-
less gossoon of the rebellion at the end Of
the last century. But the authors seized
upon their subject not merely because it
was Irish, but because they found init those
elements of heroism and love which, in
their potent simplicity, appeal to the ex-
preston of music.
Irish opera has so far been composed
on q plane of scholarly superiority which
it above comic opera At it's lowest level
1t entrenches only upon the romantic
opera, but in its most important respects
1t is grand opera pure and simple, truce
not merely to the music lover, but to the
The great elemental emo
The times., 1897-03-21

One of the positive novelties ofthe season,
and one which should prove, if advance re-
ports are true, to be one OF tire distinctive
artistic successes of the season, will be
the performances at the Columbia this
week of '.Shamus O'Brien," romantic
opera founded on Sheridan lie Fanu's beau
tiful poem of that name. The music is by
DR.. 9. Villiers Stanford. who is said 20 have
written so well that the best effotts of
Gilbert and Sullivan are called into com
parison, while the former we'll known
American author. Mr.. George II. JeSsop,
has furnished the iibretto. DIR. Stanford's
music is said to be splendidIy fresh, brisk
The times., 1897-03-21

Daniel Frohman's Lyceum Theater Stock
Company is to visit this city on April 26th
ana will present its two biggest New York
successes The First Gentleman OF Eu-
rope by Mrs Frances Hodgson Burnett
and the present reiguing success. The
Ma yflower.'' by L. y. Parker. author OF
Rosemary" Miss Mary Mannering. the
Lyceum's new leading lady. who has Heeu
one Of the new events of the metropolis
this winter, will he seen in both plays, and
there Will also he Mr.. James h Uackctt.
the WaIcots. Felix Morris, Mrs. Thomas
Viii ffen, Elizabeth Tyree, Marie -.
SEotwell, Edward J. Morgan. Joseph
wEeelock. jr, and the rest of this ad-
Inirable organization.
The times., 1897-03-21

AS the further stay of the bioGraph at
Willard Han is limited to- probably q
fortnight, those who do not see this device
will miss one Of the most marvellous in
ventious of the age. It's success in this
city has been almost unprecedented and
while the patronage so generously bestowed
is very gratifying to the management. the
demand for it in other cities has grown
to such dimensions that il cannot he dis
regarded and it will shortly leave here
a special performance viii be given TO
President Mckinley and his invited guests
Aside from the President, who wishes to
sec this device, a number Of applications
nave been received from higI-class schools
in the city, which are GeSirUuS Of obtaining
view of the Illustrations, but cannot at
tend the regular performances The man
agement has in every ease endcavared to
fin a time that win he satisfactory, and
not otinteTfer with school hours. Thechurches
of the city have also become interested
and SeveTa! days have been set aside for
church benefits.
New views have been added to the al
ready large cole etion. until now the
BiOGraph has perhaps the finest exhibitiOF
The times., 1897-03-21

Those who have only footlight acquaint-
lnce with Etienne Girardot may, in the
tlness of their gratitude Tor the many
happy moments his ninble fun has given
hem. imagine that they know something
of this dapper little gentleman with the
ieep voice. diminutive legs and peculiar
facility for farcical feminine character
sites which no one would think of cIaSsi-
Tying merely as female impersonations
he made famous In America the Oxford
undergraduate, who was logged in inn
possible wig and skirts and labeled impcr-
tonally as Charley's Aunt, and he will
ioHbtless make quite as famous the Yale
alleged female known as Miss Francis.
Off the stage none OF the individuality
The times., 1897-03-21

A fact not to be overlooked in appreci-
ating a performer is originality and ini-
tatiOa. The Polish Jew is one of the stock
caricatuTes Of low comedians nowadays
They are all more orIess funny. People rho
see Frank Bush this week will be inclinedto
laugh at him and classify him with War
field and the other leaders, unmindful Of
the credit which is his Mr.. Bush is the
original OF this line Of work Ten years
ago he was the only mOnologe comedian
doing this character His stories were
famous and he was the star Of every com
pany he appeared with Everybody since
has banked on his originality, and funn ~
they may be. though none are so funny as
the original, Mr.. Bush should be remembered
as the first in an undiscovered field
The times., 1897-03-21

stowe & Co.'S grand scenic producti01
of Uncle Tom Cabin will be the attractior
for this week at the BijOu. Besides a strOns
dramatic company, there are many grand
special features, including monster cake
walk. which is always a fayOrite with
Washington thcatergoers- The Union auc
Advertiser Of Rochester, " Y. Of March
=, has the fOiIJ wing to say Of theattrac5iOn:
"a capable company presented the ia
miliar drama, Uncle Toms Cabin Mt the
Academy OF Music last evening. and IL the
size OF the audience which greeted the
op@uin z performance is any criterion. there
will he crowded houses all the week Sd
n.auyChanges FIa vebcen ma lei n the original
reading OF Mrs. Harriet Beecher St0we'i
famous lines. that the theat ergoer Of
twenty wears ago would hardly recognize
some of them.
Every opportunity has been taken that
could ne without destroying the movement
OF the drama itself. to introduce special
ties, some CT which are exceeding gIy EOOd
The play oTens with a plantation scene at
night, which is characterized by SON clever
clog dancing At the Clcse Of the second act
is given a cake walk. which especially
found favor with the audience. Florence
OckeTraap, as TOpsy. was good and her
work was appreciated, as was also that
of the two Marks. What these received
in applause, Simon LegTe. slave driver
and planter, had in Kisses. with which
the william isinvariatIy greeted by Academy
The times., 1897-03-21

In "spiritlsme'' is Virginia Harmed, the
bride of Z. II. Sothern. Mir. othern him
self. the idol OF the feminine sex and the
admiration OF all lovers of good acting,
VIII come t. the Lafayette the week fol-
owing. Miss Harmed will probably spend
Iext Sunday in Washington.