Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-09
the engagement will begin this morning.
Already there have been a largo number of
inquiries at the boxt Office, and 1t seems
assured that the play will command large
patronage,

assured That the play F1u command large
patronage.
"a MILK-wHTrE m4AG."-An of Hoyt's
comedies have been presented in this city,
al one time or aoothsr, and mona OF them
nave been foundawanting in those Qualifi-
cations which gofto make up an entertain
ment to which the various tastes among
tina play-0ing element will find much to
recompense Them for visiting the theaters.
No American authors; has displayed such
wonderful versatilitygin securing ground
work for his plays as Mr.. Hoyt. He can
turn about in almost any section Of the
country and discover material from which
ne can draw tnSpiratf ton necessary to the
completion of comedy, and once with the
idea, we'll, everybodynknow what he can
DO with 1t in the way of establishment.
In "A Milk-White Flag" which will be
the attraction at the ACADEMY of Music
next week. Mr.. Hoyt' has brought his at
tention to the National Guard, and he has
treated 1t with such originality. with such
oroad, yet telling humor and wit, that the
fun becomes irresistible. "a Milk-White
RAG, like all of Mr.. Hoyt's produc tons,
has no great plot of story, but it is preten-
tious, requiring cast of fifty people, and
TWO car loads of scenery, properties and
costumes. The piece is spectacular in eff
feet. and SO fun OF music that it could
leg1timately be called an opera. The cast
Is claimed to be good one. All the scenery
company, and has been enthusiastically
praised by the critics everywhere, and is
from the brush of the celebrated artist,
Mr.. Arthur Voegtlin.
THE LAST STROKE."-"The Last
Stroke" is the name of new play by l.. N.
Morris, dealing with Cuba's fight for free
dom, which will be presented in this city at
the Grand Opera House next week. 1t was
enthusiastically received in Now York a
year or two ago. where 1t ran for several
weeks to tremendous business. The climaxes
are described as thrilling, the situation is
full OF intense dramatic power and the In
terest cumulative and sustained to the end.
The Last Stroke tells romantic story of
love and adventure. in the United States
and Cuba. The first act is laid in Florida,
and then the scene shifts to the turbulent
little island, where just now the patriotic
Cubans are making such gallant fight for
their independence against such odds and
against just such a powerful foe as our
forefathers fought against in 1II6. Richard
vance, an American citizen, goes to Cuba
10 aid Its patriots in their last stroke for
freedom. Previously Vance and his wife
nave been separated through the inStru-
mentality of Don Julio Valdez, a Spanish
spy, and each believes the other dead. In
Cuba, however, they meet again, but Lu-
cile has meanwhile taken vows as a sister
OF mercy. which she believes must now
separate her from her husband. Don Julio
now wears Cuban uniform, but is still
secret agent of Spain, and entraps Sonora
Martinez, Spanish sympathizer, into as
sisting him. His real purpose is not so
MUCH ~ dlu the spanish cause as TO secure
possession of Lucille and a large sum of
money which has been collected for the
Cuban junta. Sonora Martinez discovers
ms treachery and opposes him, aided by
United States Consul Blake. They accom-
plish the rescue of Vance, who has been
concerned as spy. The real spy. Don
Julio, is exposed and Lucille restored to her
husband by Padre Navarro, a Cuban priest
and patriot, WHO Is a commanding figure
throughout the play There is a powerful
stage pictures are described as being dram
atically strong. The comedy is furnished
by Lieutenant Drum, a young American
officer, who has Joined the army of Cuban
insurgents in search of fighting and ad-
venture, and who finally finds time to fall in
love with the cha rntng niece Of United
States Consul B3akes a sturdy American
diplomat, who issnott afraid to uphold the
dignity of the stars and stripes at any time
or place and under all circumstances The
consul Is himself a bit Of joker when not
in business moods. There is also a droIl
Irish sergeant, Who Possesses the dry HUI
Will be on bigs scale, excelling in gran
deur and exceeding in magnitude anything
heretofore attempted by Manager Lift.
MOULIN ROUGE GOMPANY-Manage
Herman of the Lycem will offer his pa
irons one of the best entertainments Of bur-
iesque and specially ever seen at this pop
ular play house next week. The attraction
is Fred Riders Moulin Rouge Company.
burlesque troupe which has been before the
public several seasons and met with I'M
qualified success. The performance will be
found up-to-date and replete with novel
and sensational features. The burlesaue.
"A Hot Box" is one of the brightest skits
of its kind before the public, and while 1t
possesses no plot, it has a bright dialogue
and a sequence of situations that are fare
ical and humorous and at the same time
giving room for strong specially acts It's
music Is catchy and the production is one
OF marvellous beauty. The company Is COM
posed of high-class vaudeville stars and q
large chorus of handsome girls. Among the
specialtieS there are Harris and Walters
the Urine sisters, the two Bernards Cor
don and Lick. Cooper and Stewart and
Cuerbo and Nolan, the clever Blackberry
Twins. The scenic and costume effects are
glorious specimens of the scene painters
art.
THE ELKS' BENEFIT.-Friday after
noon the Elks will have their annual bene-
mt entertainment at the Columbia Theater
Inc program is long one and will in
clude representatives of every branch of
the theatrical profession. The names an
ncunced are such as to command immedi-
ate attention. Every company playing in
this city will furnish some of it's members
and performers will come by special train
from Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
YORK The performance will begin at noon
and Is expected to last about six hours
The proceeds will go to swell the charity
fund of the organization, and those who
know how ready the Elks are to aid those
in distress realize how frequent are the
calls upon this fund. 1t is expected that
the full capacity Of the theater will be
tested by the audience that will assemble
to enjoy the splendid program prepared.
BEN HUR."-A large audience was on
hand at Builders Exchange Hall last night
to listen to a most interesting and instruc-
tive lecture on Ben Hur," delivered by
Rev. A. G. Rogers. who is well and favor
ably known in the lecture world Mr..
Rogers has delivered his lecture on ben
Hur' many times in this city, and each
time has been accorded generous patron
age, and last nights event was no excep-
ton to the rule Mr.. Rogers lecture is a
concise, terse abridgment of the whole
book, and does not deal at length with any
one special incident in it. Added to this is
original comment, delivered in Mr.. Rogers
best style, that goes to make the whole
discourse one Of the most interesting talks
of the day. The lecture was illustrated by
about 200 handsome ste-eopticon views,
that added not little to the attractiveness
of the evenings entertainment
MIR. IRELAND'S LECTURE-A lecture
descriptive of the comparatively UNEMPLOYED
country around the lower St Lawrence
and Ottawa rivers was delivered last night