Evening star., 1898-02-11
ADJUSTMENTS. A

A TRIPLE B1LL.-The audience that as
sembled at the National Theater last night
was moved to the most hilarious laughter
and also to something closely akin to tears
by the mastery efforts of Mr.. Sol Smith
Russell. A triple bill was presented, the
first piece being the old English nautical
farce by ]. Madison Morton, called The
Spitfire." Few of the present generation
have ever seen this acted, for the last
time 1t was played in this city was at the
National Theater some thirty years ago
by Joseph Jefferson, yet the way in which
1T was received last night showed that
in such competent hands as Mr.. Russell
and his excellent company 1t would be
paying investment to make 1t once more
familiar with the play-going public While
the methods of construction of the Spit
fire. are open to criticism from the stand
point of modern farce writing there Is no
doubt that the piece furnishes wholesome
amusement, and is vastly more enjoyable
than some of the skils Of more recent
years. 1t is believed that other of Nor
tons farces might be received by some
of our leading comedians with profit to
themselves and with benefit to their audi
enoes Mr.. Russell's Shortcut was an eX-
cellent piece of work and fully merited the
applause it received. Following The Spit
fire. came Mr.. Valentines Christmas" in
which Mr.. Russell displayed his power of
pathos and in the contrast with Shortcut
gave evidence of his versatility as an
actor. There are but two characters In
this sketch, both exceedingly well drawn,
and to Mr.. VIM. Seymour s due high
praise for his excellent portrayal of an
old and faithful negro house servant. Mr..
Russells tender recall of the memories OF
his former loves found ready response in
the hearts of his audience. and many
eyes moistened under his pathetic recital.
The evening closed with condensed ver-
sion of shakespeare's Tanning, of the
Shrew, with Mr.. Russell as Petruchio.
With the memory of Edwin Booth, who
was the best Petruchio this stage has seen
and who in that character seemed to find
relief from the serious work in which he
was almost constantly engaged, one Is
hardly able to be enthusiastic over Mr.. Rus
sell in this part. Still his readings were
good, although he fails to realize Shakes
peares IDEAL or to catch the Shakespear-
ian spirit, and this was true of his sup
port with the exception of Messrs. Samp-
sen and Seymour.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
The character of Hamlet seems never to
lCse it's fascination. There is no play more
distinctly representative of the intellectual
in the drama. and it is noteworthy that the
audience at last nights performance was
the largest that the Thomas w. keene
Company has drawn during the present en-
Sagcment. 1t was a warmly apprec1ative
audience, too, and liberal applause greeted
not only the imperSonaticn of the morose
young prince by Mr.. keene, but the imper-
soma ton of the king by Mr.. Hanford. Miss
Lucia Moore as Cphelia was commendable.
The play was well staged.
MISS ANNA HELD.-NIiss Anna Held, at
the matinee at the Columbia Theater to-
morrow afternoon, will discard abbreviated
skirts ard will wear a splendid trained
gowr-the one she wore at Mr.. Perry Bel
nlonts New Year reception in New York.
AEOLIAN RECITAL-There will be an
deOian recital at the music of Sam
ders & Stayman tomorrow afternoon at 4
o'clock, under the direction of Mr.. Percy
s. Foster. These weekly recitals are very
enjoyable, as some well-known vocalist al
ways assists, and there is 10 charge for
admission. Tomorrow the soost will be
Mr. A. G. Nikolds, the tenor sooist and
choir. The program will be an attractive
Gle.