Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-12
AMusnsGEsTs.

NEW NATIONAL THEATER.I2t ~ an
open question whether q play that derives
its main charm from the epigrams It con-
tains, that II to say, q strictly literary a.
distinguished from Q strongly dramatic
play. can take substantially firm hold on
the public favor. ''The Princess and the
Butterfly" 10 such q play. It II a delight
full bit Of writing, and. in the hands Of such
an aggregation Of players as the New York
Lyceum Company. presenting it last night
in this city for the first time, 1t is a notable
evenings entertainment. In fact, In view
Of the seasons record as thus far consti-
tutsd, this play is well nigh at the top
notch Of excellence. In view, however, Of
the peculiar nature Of the composition, in
terest centers on this occasion mainly In
under the management Of Mr.. Daniel Froh-
man. There have been many changes in
this company during recent years. The list
is almost entirely new. Miss Mannering
and Miss Opp have taken the places Of old
favorites, and Mr.. Hackett and Mr.. Court
leigh and Mr.. Morris have assumed the
line of roles formerly assigned to people
now venturing their fortune in starring
performances Yet 1t cannot be said that
the company is weakened. Mrs. Whiffen is
still present, as delightful reminder Of
the old Lyceum days, and here and there
are other personal suggestions Of the past.
Rut the lresent is altogether delightful.
1.-THE Princess and the Butterfly" is,
briefly, the story Of middle-aged love. Two
persons so situated find themselves neces-
STATED 20 confront their years and to make
the best of situation that can only grow
more perplexing with time. The natural
suggestion Of such a case would be for
these people to marry and to journey forth
together, growing old together. comforting
each other as the years bring their measure
of chagrin and resignation. But love wills
he. ,lr,k- kfOv, orrA
its normal proportions, assigning emotions
in the breast Of the middle-aged woman
and young man that bring them both into
strong sympathy despite the disparity Of
their years; and equally playing havoc with
the unities In the case of middle aged
man and sprightly young woman. There
is very little plot. The STORY" Is based
upon sudden discovery that an imagined
between the middle-aged man.
1.-The butterfly" and the young woman
This permits excellent counter-plot in a
comedy vein that enables the playwright to
produce three exceptionally strong sttua-
tons and to postpone the final union Of the
men and women whom Cupid has mated
until the last few moments. Thus with
artistic maneuvering the interest is never
suspended.
Miss Mannering as Fay Zuliani Ia charm
ing. Her role gives her but one chance for
serious work the lines being cast in a vein
of frivolous dghtness that becomes her per-
sonality to a surprising degree. Her work
at the end of the fourth act, however, re-
veals the capacity Of this finished young
actress for highly emotional rendition.
Miss Opp Is more in evidence as the Prin-
cess Pannonia, having more work to do,
and under more trying circumstances. She
has many long speeches that would puzzle
a performer Of far longer standing and ex-
perfence than she now is, but she acquits
herself with grace and tact and does not at
any moment tire the house with her maun-
dering walls over her adding years. Miss
Opp is beautiful, statuesque and cultured.
She has certain small faults of carriage
and expression that will doubtless disap-
pear with practice and training but she
gives promise Of exceptional attainments
IN the near future. Mr.. Hackett as s.r
even more capable than his past work
promised. His is difficult role, in that he
occupies the stage frequently with little
action to aid him in relieving the back
ground Of talk. His perplexity over his
changing attitude toward Fay Zuliani Is
artistically portrayed. Mr.. William Court
leigh won the applause Of the house from
the first act. when he makes his appear
ance as reserved, awkward young states
man in a London drawing room, to the
fifth act. when he finally wins the hand of
the princess. His work in the third act
when he declares his love for the princess,
Is as finished as has been noted here in
several seasons. Mr. Felix Morris has a
dued husband. but he gives 1t his most
painstaking attention and produces one of
the gems of the play. His appearance is
confined to the second act and that act be-
lightful of the play. Mr.. John Findlay has
only about five minutes appearance as
servant, but his ability 10 make much out
Of little is shown admirably.
Notwithstanding the many counter at
fractions. the theater was crowded with
one Of the largest and most fashionable
audiences of the season.
COLUMBIA THEATER = The 'Lilipu-
tians." who appeared at the Columbia Thea
ter last night. evoked the enthusiasm which
invariably attends the efforts of very small
people. Their lot is cast in pleasant lines,
for they have no need to give themselves
concern about the prevailing modes in the
atrical entertainment. They are a mode
unto themselves, and their jolly pranks are
Irresistible IN their simple drollery The
story which affords pretext for introduce
ing them INDUCES in few deviations from
the straight line of simple narrative. az
cepting such as scenic requirements may
suggest. A gleesome improbability IL placed
before the auditor. and successive tablsaux
amazon marches and other forms of the
gardless OF logic. It would be absurd for
these wee people to be hampered by any
such considerations as consistency of ac-
tion or continuity of purpose. A corps de
ooAACI A6 Vi 60 COHSplCuOuSly In the perform.
ance. The music is CLEANED from all
sources, and it not infrequently happens
that the childish voices of the midgets are
rather severely tested by operate flights.
But 1t is all quaint and unusual, like the
old-fashioned fairy books. whose highly col
ored pictures wers of far more Importance
than the literary style, and whose charms
were not designed to please an overindulged
and captfous appetite for novelty.
Each and every one of the little people il
comedian and every change of costume
makes them seem funnier than before. It
Is difficult to think Of them as the mature
men and women they are, for their voices
and facial expressions are as child-like as
their physical proportions. The company
now plays in English instead of German.
and the accent with which the speeches are
delivered In no wise detracts from their
whimsical force. The scenery is sufficient
ly elaborate to entitle the production to
applause as a spectacular entertainment
and the marches and dances, especiaIlv
those typical of various military bowers
were received last night with interest and
enthusiasm.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE
Miss Julia Marlowe appears to adyantaee
In her new play, 1.-The Countess Valeska ),
a romantic drama adapted from the Ger
man Of Rudolph Strait. The Construction
rrt.lr