The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-19
COMING TO THE THEATERS.

There will be a new comic opera in
town Monday night at the Columbia.
1t is the latest product of Harry B.
Smith and Victor Herbert. ''The IdoI's
Eye is its title, and wherever 1t has
been seen thus far, in New York, Phil
adelphia, and Boston, 1t has been pro-
nounced by the press to be the comic
opera hit of the season. Frank Daniels
the comedian, is the bright particular
star of the production, and he is said by
those who have seen him in IL to be
funnier than ever before. His character
is that of an American balloonist touring
the world. He falls into India, and while
there gets into enough complications TO
keep every one of the large company
busy.
The plot of the opera is pronounced
the funniest that Harry Il. Smith ever
wrote. The music is rich in Oriental
color and so tuneful that the gallery
frequently joins in after two or three
encores and whistles the refrain. IL is Mr..
Daniels hobby that no comic opera can
succeed without melodies which impress
themselves so strongly upon the MEM
DRY to be easily reproduced by a
quick-eared individual after leaving the
theater. He has nine Of such melodies
III ne luOl Eye, anu IL quite con-
fident, therefore, of the operas success.
The chorus is described as being not
only fresh-voiced and pretty-faced, but
drilled TO a military nicely. for which
Musical Director Palma has received
great credit The scenic investiture Is
mentioned as sumptuous.
Legitimate comedy succeeds comic
opera at the New National Theater next
Digby Bell, now acknowledged full
fedged. legitimate COMEDIAN again pre-
sents his charmingly dYoll characterize
ton of the Doctor" I'm Augustus Thorn
as new comedy success, THE HOosier
Doctor" The play was presented with
much success here last season. but fine
was its production then, most notable
improvements have been made.
This is true not only of the cast but of
the lines of the play itself Intensity of
action has been heightened, quiet humor
augmented. and clearness OF expression
of plot through dialogue brought to finer
finish by the efforts of the author. With
the experience of the past 10 draw upon
the management has made changes in the
cast TO the betterment OF the perform
ance as a whole. The play is possessed
of true human interest of the mind and
heart, so presented as TO leave the i'm
preston Of completeness. On Tuesday a
special holiday matinee will be given on
account of Washington's Birthday. The
regular Wednesday and Saturday matt
nees will also be played.
THE Girl From Paris" which pleased
playgoers for a week, earlier in the sea-
son, will make a return visit to the La
fayette Square Opera House. Monday
evening next. and for the usual time will
endeavor 10 add new admirers to the le-
gion IL has made. This merry musical
comedy remained for thousand nights
in London, more than three hundred
nights in New York city: seventeen weeks
in Boston. and seven weeks in Philadel-
phia, and there is no doubt that IL can
be enjoyed for at least one more week in
Washington.
An interesting event OF this engagement
is the consolidation of the two companies
which Mr.. Rice had representing THE
Girl From Paris" selecting from both or
CARNATIONS cast that could not be ex-
celled. The principal players. who will be
seen next week are Georgia Caine, Anna
Buckley, Rose Beaudet. Cheridah Simp-
son. Hattie Williams. Ida Rock, .'beauti-
full Mabel Clark. the solo Dancer" Mr..
Fred Lennox. William Broderick, Nick
Long. D. l.. Don W. Wallace Black, Har-
~ Earl. George F. Campbell and others Of
note. besides a large chorus and aug
John Braham. There will be a special
matinee performance of ''The Girl From
Paris on Washington's Birthday.
John W. Isham's "Octoroons, which
will be here next week at the Academy.
have. among the many composing the
large company. a dozen whose talent is
far above the average. The program will
be long. novel and interesting one. The
opening sketch is one designed to set the
hilarity agOing and fully carries out its
purpose. THE Darktown Outing will
probably long be remembered by those
who witness il as something truly laugh
able and jolly. The clio which follows
attests the managers eye for the beau
tiful. as some of the most charming pic
lures. or fancy stage groupings. are said
to be in it's ensemble. But for those who
revel in choice songs. especially sketches
and chOruses from the grand and comic
operas. the finale will be the main fea-
ture. In this thirty minutes will he de-
voted to choice selections, which will be
rendered by such strong and tuneful
voices as only the colored race are known
to possess.
During this engagement the regular
Wednesday and Saturday matinees will be
given, with an extra matinee on Tues
day. WashingtOn's Birthday.
An exceedingly attractive performance
is promised at the Bijou during the week
to come. n number of well-known spe-
cialty people having been engaged TO
make up the bill La Chameleon Diana,
a French danseuse of considerable note.
will be the head-liner and will present
her terpsichorian features with the aid
of electric effects. She will be supported
by Jules and Ella Garrison. travesty ar
lists; the Hyland Sisters. vocalists and
dancers: the phenomenal Aheries, aero
bats: the Musical Ravens a novel
sketch act; Collins and Ray. comedians,
and several others. The followers will
be the Misses Bigger and Dreher, Gertie
ellison. and the Bijou Stock Company. in
a burlesQue on THE Mikado."
Mr.. Will Haley, the leader of Haleys