Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05

ing at you through a grilled window. She
Will sing all those songs that have made
original music sheet, which has made such
a pronounced hit and the numberless imi-
tations of 1t which are now in existence
are a guarantee Of its popularity. The
vehicle which will serve to introduce her
to Washington this season will be the
farcical comedy, "A Gay Decetver," by
Paul Wilstach and Joseph Grfsmer. The
cast of the comedy includes NJ A. Ken
Evans, Dolores Lettani, Charlotte Deane,
Edwin Holland, Harry Mills and other
prominent people
Preceding the farce, Mr.. Chester Bailey
Fernald's Chinese tragedy, in one act The
Cat and the Cherub," will be presented by
the original New York cast. 1t Is the
China of Chinatown, San Francisco, seen
and interpreted by an AEglo-Saxon mind
The life which Mr. Fernald shows in his
brief drama is that of another race and
civilization from ours; Its prime passions
are the same as ours-must be the same.
of course, since all nations are of one clay
but all the outside, all the garnish Of
manners and speech. all the atmosphere
are as remote from US as If they belonged
to the Inhabitants Of Mars.
In the chief personality of Wing Shee. "a
learned DOCTOR the cynicism, skepticism,
shrewdness, sang froid and subtility OF the
strange, yellow-skinTed race Is remarkably
exhibited. This is the man, who, assuming
that there may be really potent and true
all the temples, and on New Year day
divides his religious attention among Con-
fucius, Buddha, and the God OF the Chris
tians. And this is the man, who, per-
suading the rogue whom he rightly guesses
TO be his sons murderer, to sit down be-
side him for a friendly Chat, sticks a knife
into that murderer as TRANQUILITY as into
pig-the same man, who, throughout
the play, has spoken Greek chorus.
and who in his own impassive person seems
to be an avenging and emotionless Fate.
The whole brief piece Is very interesting
on the lines indicated. And the final scene
in which the wise doctor takes his bloody
vengeance. and, propping up his dead vic
tim and drawing down the victims hat.
calmly lights his pipe and smokes and
talks in order that the policeman may pass
him by-has a penetrating power of GRIM
LESS which must make it memorable. The
difference is wide, and yet the chief emo
tional effect produced by "Cavalleria Rus
ticana' is much the same in quality.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE
Thomas W. Keene, the distinguished
American tragedian, who appears at the
La fayette Square Opera House all of next
week. is the last of the old school Of
American tragedians whose success as an
interpreter of the Shakespearean drama
was achieved contemporanecus with Booth,
Mccullough and Barrett. Unlike some
players who have reached high notch in
public favor, Mr.. Keene does not affect any
familiar to the public across the foot lights,
which he assumes in some of his majestic
roles. That superlative sense of feeling
that the public could not get along with
out him has not struck Mr.. keene as yet.
He does not share the belief entertained
by many that the legitimate time is pass.
ing away and that the taste for it Is dying
out. 1T has suffered" says Mr. Keene,
lin the hands of incapable players and
some who have essayed to interpret Shake
speare have only succeeded in disgusting the
public. In competent hands legitimate
drama will endure Mr.. keene is fifty
seven years old, and is today the only
thoroughly representative player of the
great Shakespearean tragedies before the
American public. He is this season sup
ported by large and competent organIZa-
ton, headed by Charles B. Hanford, the
well-known Washington actor, who mas
won for himself a foremost place among
the younger Shakespearean actors Of the
present day. AS we'll as being Mr.. keenes
leading man, Mr.. Hanford has the honor
and distinction of being his absolute man.
ager. The other prominent members of the
organization who are well known as thor
ough opponents of the legitimate drama
are Mrs. S. A. Baker, Lucia Moore, Mary
Timbermann, Marie Drofnah, George Nor
ton. Carl Ahrendt, Lawrence Lowell, John
Milton Arthur Stanford and Paul G. lay
Tor. The repertoire for the engagement will
be as follows: Monday, "Richelieu:" Tues
day and Saturday evenings, Richard ILL.,"
Wednesday matinee, Louis XII" Wednes.
day evening, ''Othello;;' Thursday, Ham
let;" Friday, 1.-The Merchant of Venice"
and Saturday matinee, Julius Caesar"
Each play will be elegantly produced In
the way Of scenic effects and costuming,
Mr.. keene carrying with him two car loads
of stage paraphernalia for the correct stag.
ing of each play in his repertoire. The sale
of seats for the engagement has been large
and Mr.. keene will undoubtedly play to
series of full houses during his engage
ment.
NATIONAL THEATER.-Mr. Sol Smith
RUSSELL with one of the strongest support
ing companies on the road this season, in
Guiding Miss Edith Crane, Nanette Com
stock, Margaret Robinson, Fanny Addison
Pitt, Mr.. Orrir johnson, Sidney Booth,
VIM. Sampson, Alfred Hudson and many
others, will occupy the New National
Theater the coming week, and it is fore
gone conclusion that they will pack that
theater nightly with the best audiences
Washington can turn out. Mr.. Russell
will be seen in two different bills during
the week, one of which will be Martha
Morton's charming comedy, "A Bachelors
Romance" which proved SO successful
here last season. Mr.. Russell says and
does things that provoke our smiles, but
those smiles are always respectful. The
next moment he utters sentiment or
achieves a deed that makes ones heart
come into his throat and takes him back
upon the wings of memory to the days
and love of duty. He has no adventurous
aids. With him the glitter of armor and
gallantry of romantic equipment are re.
placed by simple homespun, and the exte-
rior Of the untutored Sol Smith Russell is
without argument the strongest attraction
upon the American stage today. "A Bach
elor's Romance" will be given Monday,
Tuesday Wednesday and Wednesday mat
inee. Thursday and Friday evenings Mr..
Russell will appear In a new triple bill
consisting of the one-act gem, Mr. VAL
entines Christmas" in which Mr. Russell
made lasting impression two seasons
ago. This will be followed by a magnifi-
cent production of THE Tanning of the
Shrew," Mr.. Russell taking the part of
Petruchio, and Miss Edith Crane, who
has been especially engaged, will appear as
Katherine. The concluding play in this
bill will be j. Madison Morton's roaring
comedy in two acts, called THE Spitfire."
Mr.. Russell, 1t Is said, has been liberal in
the expenditure of money for the proper
mounting of these plays, as he has pro-
vided complete and original scenery, APP
propriate furniture, properties and beauti-
full new costumes. The only performances
of Sheridan's THE Rivals will take place
Saturday night and at the Saturday matt
nee. 1t Is quite safe to say that no theat-
rical attraction of the season is anticipated
with livel1er degree of interest than the
engagement Of Mr.. Sol Smith Russell.
ACADEMY OF MUsIC.-"sowing the