Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08

my rouse that L should hold myself in
readiness to assist with a violin solo. l
am free to confess that the prospect of
such a sudden and novel debut unnerved
me- L didn't want to go a bit, but as
Esputa was martinez for discipline l
knew 1t would be idle to protest. so 1 re-
sorted to subterfuge. Shortly before it was
time to start for the asylum 1 presented
myself at my teachers house with the
excuse that l did not have a clean shirt
at home. and it would therefore be ex-
tremely improper for me to appear in
public with untidy linen.
But, alas for my hopes. for Esputa
made me go to his room and don one of
his shirts. which proved many sizes too
painfully that it was wrapped around me
almost twice and the collar was pinned on
fore and aft If there was a more I'M
comfortable boy in the city of Washington
than myself that night he must have suf-
tered the very ecstasy of misery. l wan
dered around gloomily until my number
on the program was reached and then
stumbled on the platform. The thought
OF that borrowed shirt and the idea that
l was playing to crazy people must have
unnerved me, for 1 had not played more
than dozen bars of my solo before l for
got every note and was on the point of
breaking down. At this point I glanced
hopelessly at my teacher seated at the
piano TO play my accompaniment, and
the wild glare of rage that met my look
frightened me to renewed efforts, so I be-
gan to improvise. 1 could hear Esputa
sp caring at me under his breath as he
tried to follow the wild flights of my fancy.
Then the pin that held the voluminous
cellar encircling my neck slipped its moor
ings, while the collar made wild dash
over my ears. This was too much for me-
and despite the torrid imprecations of my
teacher, 1 brought my UNIQUE solo to q
sudden end with a strong chord and then
m ade frantic effort to escape the scold-
ing realized was in store for me. But
1od I1eS
and Kissed in my ear: Don't YOU dare eat
any supper here tonight" With this order
ne left me to my fate, and all the rest
OF the evening 1 had to school myself to
i, the repeated invitations of the asy-
lum authorities to partake of refresh
ments. This proved a very effective
method of punishment for 1 was very
ioho OF Ice cream in those days."
NATIONAL THEATER.-At the Nationa,
ireater next week return engagement
Will be played by Primrose and VESTS
Minstrels, but by company which, al
though under the same MANAGEMENT is an
ehtireiy Inherent one. 1t is said that the
performances will also differ somewhat in
character, although, of course, all minstrel
programs must resemble each other to a
great degree. On this occasion the first
part, which, after all. is the distinctive fea-
ture OF minstrel performance, Is to be
dressed and arranged differently from the
one last given here by Primrose and West
only the eight end men are to be in black
lace, all the others appearing as white men,
william H. West is to preside over this
portion Of the program as interocutor as
is his usual custom, with Carol Johnson
and Silly Rice as the principal end men,
"A most decided, and what Is expected to be
a most pleasing. novelty will be found in
the appearance Of Ezra Kendall with this
company. This will be the first opportu-
nifty that Washington theater-goers have
had of seeing Mr.. Kendall outside Of farce
comedy. When some time since the vaude-
Vile craze was making such inroads upon
the legitimate stage, Ezra Kendall was one
of the first to fall a victim. His success in
this line was SC pronounced that Messrs.
Primrose and West became convinced that
he would be equally fortunate in minstrel
sy and lost no time in securing him for
their forces this season. His efforts are
confined to the olio, in which he is to be
heard in a monolgue, which Is said to be
not only very funny, but quite original.
he will personally direct, and which he
calls 1.-The Zouave Patrol" Another fea-
ture will be the Introduction of the latest
New York music hall success, "The Ami
mated Music Sheet" Some of the lesser
lights in the organization. though promised
to be none the less important. will be Fake
ard Semon, a pair Of musical comedians:
Schrode Brothers, acrobats and pantom1-
n.ists, who were last seen here with Han
Ions "Superba;'' Trovollo. ventriloquist.
who is to bring to his aid some cleverly
constructed walking automatons; George
w. Lewis, a noted dancer who is to intro
Grce the latest thing in terpSlchorean art,
called "melo-phrase dancing" and the
Freeze Brothers, who claim to be the cham
pion tambourine spinners of the world.
Among the numerous vocalists are CharleS
Kent Alex. Cameron and Lewis Prftzkow,
the latter of whom is also composer, ana
who will sing one of his latest original pal-
lads.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
An interesting event in the theatrical sea-
son is the forthcoming visit of the re-
nowned English actor, Edward s. Willard,
who will open one weeks engagement Mon
day evening next at the Lafayette. when he
will make his first appearance In Washing
ton in the role of David Garrick.' pa
vid Garrick' was first produced in 1860.
Since then it has been performed by the
best actors both native and foreign. The
elder Sothern. Salvini, Charles Wyndham,
Lawrence Barrett and Nat Goodwin have
all been seen in this play in this country.
The latest Garrick Of all is Edward S. Will
lard, who has played the part with un-
doubted success this season in Brooklyn,
Boston. Philadelphia, Baltimore, and has
received the unqualified praise of critics
and public. He brings to the part the orig
iDal study of an artistic and conscientious
actor. and judging by the press Of the cit
les named, he compares favorably with his
illustrious predecessors In the role. Mr..
Willard is also fortunate in having a most
competent supporting cast, as Will De seen
by the following names: Miss Maud Hoff
man as Ada Ingot, Mrs. H. Cane as Mrs.
Smith. Miss Agnes Knight as Araminta
Brown, Mr.. Lonsdale as JONES' Mr.. Werner
Charges as Ingot Mr.. Cane as Smith, Mr..
]. G. Taylor as Brown, Mr.. Bromley Da-
venport as Chivy. The play is splendidly
costumed and staged. Tuesday and We'd
nesday evenings and Wednesday matinee
Mr.. Willard will present to Westinghouse
his successful production of Tom PINCH"
dramattZed from certain incidents in
Martin ChuzZlewit," the well-known novel
by Charles Dickens, making the sweet,
lovable, self-denying Tom Pinch the CEN
trial figure of very pretty, concise and
interesting three-act comedy. AS Tom
Pinch Mr.. Willard gives a most artistic
assumption, his impersonation being typical
In every respect of that which Dickens
drew it is human. consistent and daintHy
whimsical, and preserves the intention OF
the author. Mr.. Werner Charges as Peck
sniff gives an admirable performance, and
the other characters introduced from the
book are Mary Grahame Miss Hoffman).
Charity Pecksniff Miss Knights), Mercy
Pecksnin (Miss Van BUREN,, Mrs. Lupin
''of the Dragon (Mrs. Cane), Mark Tap
ley (Mr. Davenpor), Old Martin (Mr. J.
G. Taylor, seen here with Beerbohm Trees
company, Young Martin (Mr Yorke), Ruth
Pinch (Mrs. Yorke), Westlock (Mr Ions
dale). The production as regards the ap-
propr1ate costumes, necessary Dickens de-
tails and surroundings Is said to be fault
less. Thursday night 1.-The Rogue's Come
dy. Henry Arthur Jones brilliant play,