Evening star., 1898-02-23
AMUsEMENTs.

| tHENCf1 MAlDs-ISeW 1CrE >
liveliest and mcst captivating entertain
| nlent Of the season, E. 3. Rice's latest and
| 1clliest novelty. "The French Maid" left
the Herald Square Theater after run of
175 nights. ard will come for one week only
at the New National Theater. "The French
Maid has the reputation for fascina ting
frolic, brightly told story and catchy
| nlusic, which places 1t we'll in the lead OF
all musical comedy successes Of the present
day. 1t Is now in Its second year in Lon
don. Mr.. Rice has greatly improved upon
the English production, having garnished 1t
with his own happy ideas, which are moth
| ing II not original, and having gathered in
| to the fold more pretty girls than he has
ever before selected for one attraction.
| The French Maid Is pert and pleasing.
| and as chic and charming as possible. She
| is adorcd by nearly every body in the cast,
from an oriental prince to waiter at the
hotel and gendarme, and the rivalries and
jealousies and complications caused by this
ratty and naive little beauty form the GEN.
| ter of all the breezy fun. The libretto Is by
Slaughter. The piece is full of capital hu-
NOR, and delightful music and taking songs
ard lively choruses, while the ballet de-
partment Is certainly not forgotten, for Mr..
which have the real Partisan dash and
abandon. The chief ballet features are the
Bon Bon Ballet, the Frolique Franchise
and the Carnival Promenade Ballet. In
these the great Australian dancer, Saharet,
who has been making such a sensation in
New York, will appear in Eer marvellous
acrobatic dances. Mr.. Rice has cast the
&C ompany with his usual excellent judg-
ment. Dainty Gnd dashing Olive Redpath
will be seen as SuZette the French maid,
and Miss Lucille Flaven, a beautiful girl,
will be seen here for the first time. Among
favortes with audiences will be seen hand
vN6 10 oil nov
Charles A Bigelow, Hai;y;-;a: MI:zty1., M:t. i1vr,y ~
Norman. George Honey and the popular
taritol e. Will Armstrong.
HENRY E. D1xEY-Monday night Henry
E. Dixey will open weeks engagement at
the Lafayette Square Theater In lis new
scenic production of magic and comedy.
Dixey is we'll known in Washington as
comedian of more than ordinary ability,
and in his new performance his talents of
this nature are said to have a wide field
In which to disport themselves. The press
of New York and Chicago where he has
already appeared this season, have been
unanimous in their praise of his production
and state that he has al last found his true
vocation. His versatility is unquestionably
great, and in performance including both
magic and comedy his various talents
all called into play. The most prominent of
his illusions are the Miracles of Chunder
Hula and the Mystery of MeSrour, two
beautiful oriental deceptions, and the illu-
sion Leonii. In addition to the magical and
illusive features of his performance, he
presents sketch in which he portrays
several of the characters that made his
burlesque, "Adonis," SO popular. The sale
of seats for his engagement opens to-
morrow.
A SOUTHERN ROMANCE.-Mr. B. B.
Valentine, who dramatized Dolly Higbee's
famous novel, "In Gods Country" or "A
Southern Romance is the author of the
''FitZnoodle Papers and other comic
sketches. The scane of "a Southern Ro-
nance" is laid in one of our southern
states. The piece is unusual in its motive
and stua ton, abounding in thrilling incl
dents and well supplied with humorous re-
lief. The scenic effects are uncommonly
fine. The piece itself caused quite a COM
motion in theatricals when produced at the
Fifth Avenue Theater, New York, at the
opening of this season, and was pronounced
by press and public an emphatic success.
In fact, it was quoted by the New York
World to be the first genuine artistic hit
of the SEASON." 1t will be seen here for the
first time at the Academy of Music next
week with very strong company headed
by Mr.. A. S. Lipman and Miss Isabelle
Evesson.
FOR FAIR VIRGINIA"-Mr and Mrs
Russ Whytal will be the attraction at the
Columbia next week in Mr.. Whytars ro-
mantle drama of war-times in the old do
minion, entitled For Fair Virginia." in
which they won so much favor in this citys
two seasons ago. For Fair Virginia" is
one of the most successful of modern
American plays, it being now in its fourth
season. 1t is, moreover. the only drama
dealing in any way with war incidents that
has proved equally pleasing to both north
ern and southern audiences. Mr.. Whytal
has treated his characters so sympathetic
ally that their innate courage, nobility and
truth appeal to all hearts, and overcome all
prejudices. He has not told tale of battles.
but has rather sought to show woman's
life during the great struggle; her trials,
temptations, suffering and self-sacrifice
And the heroism of the south finds its
counterpart in the northern characters
There is abundance of novel and spon-
taneous comedy, and very important
child's character, beautifully acted by lit
tie Mabel Taliaferro who helps to make the
performances especially pleasing to ladies
and children. For Fair Virginia is al
ways a strong matinee attraction, and
fifty-cent bargain matinee next Thursday
will no doubt prove to be one of the largest
the new management of the Columbia has
had. Mrs. Whytal. an actress of rare
beauty and charm, and whose artistic
methods are delightfully."- true and natural,
retains her original character, Virginia.
while Mr. Whytal will present the light
comedy part. Steve Dunbar.
THEODORE THOMAS ORCHESTRA
The musical event Of the season will be the
orly appearance in Washington of the Chi
cago Orchestra, Theodore Thomas, con-
ductor, on Friday afternoon, at 4:15. March
a. Mr.. Thomas has not been in this city
for the last tea years at the head of his
OWN orchestra, anu lTCm the already many
inquiries at the box Office it is shown that
he has not lost any CT his admirers. The
soloist will be Ysaye. the violinist who
charmed large audieLces on his last visit
here. and was considered by many the
greatest violinlst Of the present time. The
program Will include Mozarts symphony,
minor; concerto, for violin, f fiat Mo-
Zart; Beethoven's overture, "Coriolanus'
Rich. Strauss tone poem, don juan"
symphonic Espagnole, for violin and orches-
ira. Lalo: Wagner's overture, Tam
haeuser."
HI HENRY'S MINSTRELS-Hi Henry's
modern minstrel show will be at the Grand
Opera House. beginning Monday, Febru-
AIRY 2S usual matinees. An up-to-date pro-
gram of novelties is pI omised by artists
of ability In their lines. A striking and
acceptable feature of this attraction Is the
careful attention that has been paid to
even the minutest detail, everything in
and about the makeup of the company be-
ing of the most elegant description care
fully selected and procured by the manage
ment with the one aim in view of pre-
senting strictly refined, up-to-date high
grade, frst-class citys attraction. All Of
the local scenery Is removed to make room
for their special sets, and their first mart