davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-11-13
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

Someone has said that age and conse-
quent loss of beauty in an actress only
brings one of two evils-poverty or char
acter parts Whether this be true or not,
the rule can hardly be made to work both
ways for certainly all character actresses
are not either old or homeiy. Leonora
Braham, who has one of the most i'm
portant roles In Because She Loved Him
So" is a particularly striking woman.
She is possessed of good form, large
eyes, a fine mouth and several other
charms for which many people would
give their heads and do spend their
money. Moreover, Miss Braham is
really an excellent actress-so clever, in
fact, that one may doubt seriously If
better has ever been seen here in the
line of labor she has taken up. Marie
Bates, whose regard for detail and depth
of understanding as exhibited in "Chim-
mie Fadden." marked her as one of the
most notable products of the contem-
porary stage, presented no truer a por-
trayal in her memorable impersonation
of Mrs Murphy than the player at pres
ent under consideration does with her
assumption of the manners and manner
isms of the Spanish lady who provokes
the violent affections of sober Mr.. Marsh
in William Gillette's comedy. Miss Bra
ham, though probably an English woman,
has evidently made herself thoroughly
familiar with the type which she pre-
sents and the result is a characterization
that one knows to be well drawn-not
through having seen two or three such
persons in real life and understanding
therefore, that the class exists, but because
the assumption is so much a composite
that it seems to picture the entire race.
The dialect she speaks through the piece
IS perfect, though not less so than her
pronunciation of the few Spanish words
uttered, and her entire makeup could
not be improved upon Speaking of de-
tail. too, if there is anyone who can roll
and smoke cigarette with more grace
than does Miss Braham she should be
engaged for the window of some to-
bacco shop. Most women smoke on the
stage as though the operation were ex-
tremely painful, but this clever actress
either does or appears to enjoy her
coffin nail' with true tropic fervor. At
this date it may seem treason to admire
anything Spanish, but-well, Miss Bra
ham is an admirable addition to Mr..
Frohman's roster, anyway.
In somewhat extended experience
with variety theaters, the writer has
come across just two performers in any
degree worthy of the adjectives and
nouns with which their press agents
have described them. One of these en-
tertainers is Charles Barton, who has a
sincere appreciation of his opportunities
and a rough knowledge of how to i'm
prove them, and the other is Billy Van,
who surprised Washington last week by
his work with the bohemian Bur-
lesquers." This performer has been here
frequently before without exciting any
amount of comment. for hitherto he has
always appeared in biack-face and Vans
negro monologues are only trifle less pa
thetic than are those of Billy Emerson. But
the former comedian in an Irish part is
The times., 1898-11-13
BijOu-ynudevilIe.

A farce of more than usual attractive
ness is promised for this week at the
Bijou, where the house company has been
rehearsng one of the most coherent eff
forts it has ever attempted A vaudeville
bill of especial excellence will, as usual,
provide most of the entertainment The
three sisters Merkei, who are said to
have been very successful at Roster &
Biars, will present their new acrobatic
act and should score heavily. Morton and
Revelle are also to be seen in sketch
while o. X. Sato, whose last local appear
ance was with Graus celebrities AT the
Grand Opera House. comes back with a
juggling turn that Is supposed to discount
anything else he has ever done. John
and Nellie Mccarthy. with Joe and Nellie
Doner, are also to be on the program,
while the remainder of the performance
will be given by people of equal merit.
The times., 1898-11-13
Ae,aemy-"rown Topics.-

"Town Topics is a title that suggests
all kinds of humorous possibilities, and
thev are said to be found in the farce
comedv of that name, which will be seen
tbis week at the Academy of Music. The
play opens in Mrs. Quick's hosiery. Inc
American boarding house is familiar to
most. who know that there Is always
something to promote fun and indigestion
In that interesting institution. The board
ing-house in Town Topics" is a lively
place. and should serve to introduce
plenty of fun. World, Garnello and Mack,
who play the principal parts in the COM
edy. declare that dyspepsia is an I'M
known quantity there, however, there be-
ing too much laughter for prunes and
corn-beef to lie heavy on ones stomach.
Burglars break into the place and steal
snyerware and a coat. Then the hus-
band of the presiding goddess goes to
New York to look for the thieves, and
one can imagine what happens to him.
The second act of the piece shows Broad
way-that part known as the "Rialto.'
Here the husband meets some nice gen.
tlemen, who give him the glad hand,''
and lead him into all sorts of scrapes.
He meets some beautiful girls, too, and
they help the fun along. They sing, they
dance, they kick, and do their best gen.
orally to promote a rip-roaring time. In
the last scene the husband is home again,
and he has to settle matters with his
wife. The story is straight and to the
point, but it is interrupted frequently to
allow of musical and terpsichorean num-
bers, with several specialties. These all
grow out Of the action of the play, and
are not lugged in awkwardly, as is often
the case in performances lacking the fin
ish that is said to distinguish "Town
Topics" Mr.. Garnello has rewritten the
farce-comedy entirely, and it is right up
to date, with all the new things that
have created sensations in London, Paris
and New York deftly woven into the ac-
ton.
The times., 1898-11-13

There doesn't seem to be any particular
reason why Shakespearean stars and
those presenting pastoral drama should
invariably be supported by companies
that make one homesick, but such is the
case. Denman Thompson. who brought
his "Old Homestead to the Lafayette
last week. is something of an exception TO
this rule. but he has never yet come to
town without at least four incapable play
ers in his organiZation-proba intend
ing to throw the worth of the other peo-
pie into greater prominence by contrast.
The worst of these seen recently is Fred
Clare. the Happy Jack so familiar to
church folk. Mr.. Glare has the one merit
of being unusual-unusually bad. Only
man of genius could have understood how
to get so little out of lines as this gentle
man does. He rattles off humorous
speeches without regard to emphasis and
chants pathetic ones in a manner that
would have seemed 10 prove that he had
doubled as a choir singer in the street
scene of the third act were il not for a
certain ragtime staccato thrown into the
bargain. Mr.. Glare should be given va
cation for his sake and that of the public
Annie Thompson, John Barker Celia Bar
ker and a few others might be submitted
to the same operation without fear of
the combination losing its popularity
The times., 1898-11-13
Lafayette-~The Belle of New York,
.'For she is the belle OF New York,
The subject OF all the town talk,
She makes the old BoweTy
Fragrant and fiowery


..For she is the belle OF New York,
The subject OF all the town talk
She makes the old BoweTy
Fragrant and howery
Whene're she goes out for walk"
This is the description given of a GER
tain Salvation Army lassie, who furnishes
the title of the Casino success which
comes to the Lafayette this week. The
lines are sung in the first act of the
piece to the accompaniment of one of
those dainty little airs for the compost
tion of which Gustave Kerker has be-
come famous. Later on in the same scene
this piously-incllned little lady complains:
81 find it very difficult 10 make young men re-
hgious-
In saving them from awful sin the labor is pEo-
digious
For when l ask them to be good,
As all young men should be,
They only say they would
Be very good 10 me-
1t is said that anyone who sees the
production of THE Belle of New York.
TO be given here, and in doing so pays
any attention to the clever parsonage who
sings the title role, will have no difficulty
in understanding the perversity of the
gentlemen in question. In fact, there
have been found newspaper men in other
cities where the presentation has been
offered who We're willing to state that
the entire feminine contingent was pos
sessed of sufficient attractiveness to
make any connoiseur of female loneliness
bockslide with such rapidity as to in
duce seasickness. Tastily dressed in CO.'S
TUNES of becoming costiiness the girls
| engaged in exploiting The Belle" should
| create havoc among the local Johnnies.
| No one has promised that Washington
women viii find anything equally charm-
| ing in the masculinity of the organiza-
| ton. Dan DAILY, who is one of the fun
niest men alive, has never been accused
either of possessing voluptuous figure
OF a face of entrancing beauty. Indeed,
Mr.. DAILY has often been said to weigh
less to the inch than any other man be-
fore the American public-museums bar
red from competition. The elongated
comedian, in most essentials, compares
favorably with the best Known stars on
the road and makes up in ability what
he loses in appearance.
OF the opera itself little need be said.
1t created an impression during its nrst
! local engagement only second to that
which preceded its long run in New York
and London. Neither Mr.. Morton nor
Mr.. Kerker has ever produced more de-
lightful and thoroughly enjoyable work
The cast to be seen in the production has
been highly praised throughout the coun-
try and will undoubtedly be well receiv-
ed here, The sale of seats has been very
large.
The times., 1898-11-13
The war-Grapl,

The War Graph is still attracting audi
ences to its place of exhibition In the
Metzerott building. 1t has already more
than duplicated previous local runs of
moving picture machines and bids fair to
be successful for some time yet. Several
new views have been put in during the
last week and the prospects for patrons
of the amusement are now better than
ever.
The times., 1898-11-13

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gram, and in it are reserved some of the
best features of the bill. A special fea-
ture of the performance will be in the in
PRODUCTION of Joe Cans. pugilist of some
note, who will give what is promised to
be spirited exhibition of the manly art.
In this he will be assisted by his sparring
partner, j. Marshall, who is also said to
be especially clever.
The times., 1898-11-13

different thing altogether and the sue
cess OF the show mentioned was, there
lore, almost entirely due to him. Van
mas an excellent dialect and keen UNDER
standing of the methods he employs to
provoke laughter. Without resorting to
horsepiay In a more than usual degree,
ne forces his individuality upon an audi
ence SO clearly that none of its members
are likely ever to forget him. He is to
be starred next year, and should prove
a success.
The times., 1898-11-13
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE.

Thomas A. Mckee, who is this year
representing Charles B. Hanford, came
to town the other day and called at The
Times The course of conversation led
to a joint perusaI of the dramatic page
and Mr.. McKee's attention was caught
by the line which heads this co-umn
What's that he asked.
oh" remarked his companion. cit
serves to designate the professional lies
you advance men tell.
''Hump!'' quoth Mr. Mckee And then
after moment: That title is ike chart
ty-it covers a multitude of sins" His
friend said it did. And it does.
The leading lady of Charles B. Han
ford's company this year is Marie Drof-
nah. who is in private life the wife of
her star II is by spelling her married
name backward that one arrives at the
nom du theater. Upon Mrs. Hanford's
debut she was cast in part which acted
as a foil for that of her husband, and, as
the management thought that a knOwi-
edge of the marital relations between
them would spoil the romance fer their
audience, the cognomen used at present
was selected.
The player was born in Philadelphia,
7
spent on the stage has been given to do
mestic duties at her home in this city
Her desire to go into theatricals came
when, as a child, she saw Cinderella
performed at the Walnut Street Theater
in the Quaker town. Thenceforward she
was constantly dabbling in amateur dra-
matics. and undoubtedly received some
valuable experience while so engaged.
Her romance with Mr.. Hanford as its hero
all bafo Sha had hal
gotten into her teens, and her entrance
into the profession was made shortly after
their marriage. Mrs. Hanford first ap-
peared as Jenny NorthcOte in GiIberts
"Sweethearts,' which led to the chang
ing of her professional name. related
above. Soon after, with her husband. she
Joined Steele Mackaye's Money Mad
company. playing the ingeuue role of
Gurtha Graham. Later on she is said to
have made a decided hit as Maria in
Twelfth Night next being seen in THE
Man Without a Country and Olaf"
She was Sarah Sykes in the all-star cast
headed by Joseph Haworth when il pre-
sented ''Rnsedale," served as leading lady
with Mr.. Hanford on his starring tours
and held an important position in the sup
port of the late Thomas W. Keene. Mr..
Mckee says that she is q handsome and
capable woman.
f was while James X Hackett was SO
i'll with typhoid fever last winter in New
York that an incident occurred that
should forever quiet those who have call
ed the actor only matinee girls favor
ite." As the leading man of the Lyceum
Company became convalescent he MOTTO
ed that his room was decorated every
morning with a bunch of pure white ros-
es. Upon inquiry he found that they
were left him daily. without a card or
message of any kind. The taste display
ed in their selection, the ribbons with
which they were tied and the manner of
the giving all suggested the hand OF
woman and it was with more than
ordinary interest that. upon his recovery.
Mr.. Hackett rose early one day and
The times., 1898-11-13

by. Mr. Hackett is n very young man
to hold the important place he now does
in the dramatic world, being consider
ably under thirty. and it seems entirely
reasonable to predict successful career
for him. He is of excellent presence. fine
of form. graceful in movement and has
a fine face and splendid voice. of all of
which he knows well how to make good
use. His acting is marked by intelli-
gence. The play is said to be cieverly
constructed. the lines in which ii IS told
being strongly epigrammatic and bril-
liant in more than an ordinary degree.
1t is mentioned as being superb.y staged,
the original scenery from the Lyceum
Theater being used. In Mr.. Hackett's
company are Mabel Amber, who viii
play the adventures. Belle Holling-
worth; Miriam Nesbitt, Arthur Hoops,
William Eville, Longley Taylor. E. w.
Thomas, Gertrude Rivers. Mrs. owen
Marlowe and Henry Motto. During the
engagement there will be two matinees.
The times., 1898-11-13
CoIumbia-charle, b. Hansora

There are few names recorded in the
dramatic history of America which have
been more thoroughly associated with
great Shakespearean companies than has
that of Charles B. Hanford, who appears
this week AT the Columbia Theater. For
four years the star was en- tour with
Edwin Booth. Lawrence Barrett and
Madame Modjeska; two years he spent
With Julia Marlowe; two years at the
head of his own company, and during the
past few seasons filed the dual capacity
OF manager and co-star with the late
5omas w. Keene. Mr. Hanford is un-
questionably in the very front rank of the
legitimate actors of this great country.
me repertoire chosen for the actors To-
cal engagement will include six plays. On
Monday evening "othello" will be given,
with Mr.. Hanford as the Moor: on Tues
day and Saturday nights, Julius Caesar"
with Mr.. Hanford as Brutus and Marc
Antony, respectively; on Wednesday night
and at The Saturday matinee, THE Mer-
chant of Venice" on Thursday afternoon.
lngomar:" on Thursday night Damon
ana Pythias, and on Friday, ''Virginius.
SIR Hanford's supporting company is
SAID to be the strongest associated with
any legitimate player in America. 1t in
ciu es Marie Drofnah, Mary Timberman.
Jonn A. Ellsler, Frank Hennig, George
Morton, Lawrence Lowell, John Milton
Fanl q. Taylor, Richard Buhler. James
Young, and others of equal standing in
the theatrical profession.
Inc staging of each of the pieces to he
presented VIII be 4 feature of the en-
Eagement. Mr., Hanford claiming 10 carry
with him two caroads Of scenery for
the. elaborate and correct production of
ea>l offering in his rere. toi-e. The cos
tuning of all the Characters should be
both rich and historically correct. The
entire local booking is given by Mr.. Ham
ioTd and the management of the Colum-
bid Theater as a testimonial benefit tn
Inc knights of Pythias of the city of
Washington and it is expected that the
members of that order Will turn ont in
full force during the week The sale of
seats indicates that MIR. Hanford will
i!Ay TO series of fun houses.
The times., 1898-11-13
TINY TALKS.

The bands We're playing cneerfully and
the boys were yelling fearfuIly last
Tuesday night when a Times man reach
ed the National Theater and invaded the
sacred precincts of the managers office
that he might find someone willing to
vouch for his reliability as an interviewer
10 Ida Conquest. This was not found to be
matter of great diticuIry, and so. with
in something like i've minutes space. the
critic and the actress were chatting TO-
gether In reply to question from the
first-named parsonage, Miss Conquest
said: II hardly know whether to believe
that beauty is essential to success on
the stage or not. Standards of appear
ance differ so that it is hard 20 find ex-
amples that will assist in proving either
theory. Few people would accuse Min
ME Maddern Fiske of being fine looking.
and yet l have seen her when she was at
tractive TO wonderful degree. Certain
ly, art should overcome such minor con-
siderations as physical charm, and yet
no one will deny that a handsome girl
has a far better chance or realizing her
ambitions in a theatrical line than would
be possessed by her less fortunate sister.
You and I both know of people who have
won fortune and reputation behind the
footlights without any further recon-
mendation than that afforded by an usu-
sually pleasing face and 4 good figure
But such an occurrence is getting more
and more improbable every day. Most
women who adopt this profession for a
living are at least passable in appear
ance while judicioUs makeup and care
full dressing make the percentage of at
tractive actresses so large that one must
be far more than ordinarily charming TO
win any special attention. OF course. &C.
togenarians cannot be given Juvenile
roles, and it is doubtful if a homely man
or woman with only average ability could
win sympathy in characters supposed to
be interesting and Iovable- But I 90
think that cleverness should be worth
more than big eyes, and intelligence than
pretty form. And what is more, I be-
lieve they are
The times., 1898-11-13
sationai-srhe Tree of knov,ed.. =.

ihe iree OF knowledge,
In the leading role of r. C. Cartons
modern society drama. "The Tree of
knowledge, that talented young actor.
james X. Hackett, is said to be winning
thorough approval during this. his first
annual tour. under the management Of
Daniel Frohman. The play comes to the
New National tomorrow night for a
weeks run. this marking its first pre-
sentation in Washington, and the first
appearance here of Mr.. Hackett in a stel-
lar capacity. But he is well-known by
reason of his previous local work
rs leading man of the Lyceum Stock
Company of New York. and in important
roles in other productions of days gone
The times., 1898-11-13

A slight mixture in names last week at
the Academy prevented one from know
ing for surety whether It was Mabel
Strickland or Madge Otis who played the
younger daughter of the porkpacker in
My Friend From India" Whichever IL
was, though, deserves the greatest
credit for one of the most delightful i'm
presentations of the sort ever seen here.
Naive and unaffected, pretty and grace
ful, the lady in question pervaded
the whole piece and won more friends
and admirers than most people succeed
In attracting during a season. Miss
Ots-or Miss Strickiand-deserves some
thing better than. a part with a popular
priced road company, even il 1t be so
good a one as that seen here last week
The times., 1898-11-13

Margaret Mayo came back to us on
Monday in Because She Loved Him So
and more than duplicated the good i'm
preston she had made here during the
Summer. Miss Mayo is one of the bright
est, daintiest, most artistic little women
who ever trod across the stage In ankle
skirts and said respectful things to the
leading woman. She has brilliant
future and If she progresses as she has
lately it may be a present within a very
few months
The times., 1898-11-13


Denman Thompson came down into the
corridor of the Arlington last week look
ing hale and hearty. but showing most
of the sixty-five years that have passed
over his head He was accompanied by
his son, a manly-appearing young fel-
low, who seems to be something of d
staff to his father Il have steadfastly re-
fused to be interviewed for several years"
quoth the old gentleman, walking in the
direction of the Lafayette. My memory
is rather bad and 1 have not tried 10
keep account of the many things that
seem to interest newspaper boys who
want 10 know about me and my play. l
have no idea how frequently I have ap-
peafed as Josh and couldn't come within
hundred times of saying how often
The Homestead has been given. At the
theater we can get book which gives
all these details and which will serve
your purpose"
Once at the Lafayette and in possession
of the volume mentioned, Mr.. Thompson
began to show signs of repenting his de-
cision regarding interviews and retained
possession of the little pamphlet long
enough to go over portions of it in an
Interestingly reminiscent vein. This is
my picture" he remarked. land q good
one it is, though taken several years ago.
Then over here is wood cut of the place
was built by my father with his own
hands. I first saw the light of day in
Pennsylvania, though my drama is
located in New Hampshire, where 1 have
lived many years. This couple is my
parents, and this is a portion of my home
in Swanzey. 1t is a pretty place. Here
are two programs of performances in
which 1 appeared years ago. once in a
farce called "A Virginia Mummy and
again in the title role of Uncle Toms
Cabin The rest of these are scenes from
The Homestead This drama was writ
ten in 1875 in the form of q sketch
and was called Joshua Whitcomb.' From
that it slowly broadened into it's present
form. Anything else you want to know
may be gotten from the book. / thought
every newspaper man in the country had
one of them. They were written by
James Jay Brady and when discovered
that they were to be sold in the theater
1 bought up the whole lot and gave them
to my friends. If should drop off sud-
denly they might prove useful, eh?''
The Times man expressed the hope that
such an event might be delayed many
seasons yet, and, shaking hands with the
modern times. kept on down the street to
his office.
"Hello.'' was the somewhat brief an
swer youchsafed a Times man when he
called up Helen Redmond over the tele-
phone last Wednesday afternoon. Hello"
the charming little singer repeated. after
q moment had been spent at the other
The times., 1898-11-13

"Hello.' was the somewhat brief an
swer youchsafed a Times man when he
called up Helen Redmond over the tele-
phone last Wednesday afternoon. Hello"
the charming little singer repeated, after
moment had been spent at the other
end of the wire in getting pencil ready
for jotting down what might be said be-
yond the expression of greeting.
Hello" repeated the interviewer, this
The times., 1898-11-13

There is man named viii A. Page
and he writes for a local periodical call
ed The Afterthought. Here is some
thing he wrote last week: