Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-15
. ADJUSTMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATER.-Better than a
circus is the "Circus Girl" No wonder If
the circus people are such bright, clever,
jolly persons as represented in the musical
comedy that the circus is such popular
Institution. But never was q circus with
such rich costumes and such pretty girls
with fondness for admirers on the out
side. Those who saw the initial perform
ance of the comedy last night at the Ma
tional enjoyed themselves as they have
rarely done at a theater. The dialogue has
been SO well pruned that little remains
that is fiat or pointless. The music is light
and melodious and Is given acceptably
The scenery is faithful and elaborate, the
scene representing the neighborhood of the
Grand Opera House in Paris being especial
ly felicitous. The Circus Girl was brought
out In London two years ago and is still be-
ing played there. 1t was presented to a
New York gathering at Days Theater,
one weeks. 1t has just finished five weeks
engagement In Boston 1t Is just the thing
to make a tired man forget his troubles, for
1t is light and amusing and without being
silly and OF doubtful propriety. The ele-
ments of the play are by no means new
the giddy old married man dining and win
Ing charming actresses being one of the
factors in the fun making-but the action
goes forward with a dash that leaves no
time for carping criticism. The first act is
laid IN one of the Paris boulevards where
everybody. in the circus and out, becomes
acquainted. The second act portrays the
first appearance in Paris of Drivellrs circus
and the famous artists ball. There are
three sets of love affairs on hand and they
aHord constant amusement and entertain
ment. There are twenty-eight speaking
parts IN the piece, and the principals are
assisted by a chorus of fifty. A most hearty
reception was given every one who aided In
making the evening enjoyable but Gladys
wallis, the demure little school girl, who
iaiis IN love with the Cannon King" I'M
douotedly made the hit of the evening
with a girlish, natural manner, the very
opposite OF Theatre, a sweet and vibrant
voice, she won every one and was repeated
~ recalled on her singing "A Simple Piece
or String" Mary Young as Lucille. the
slack wire artist, and John SIavin as Biegs
VINO takes Jimmy Powers part in such e.
way as not to make the substitution q
oetr1ment, were encored repeatedly for
tnelr clever pantomime. There were several
faces IN the cast that are familiar to Wash
1nstonfans, and they were recognized with
pleasure-Minnie De Rue Mabella Baker
and Joseph Fay, who have frequently been
Fabr,s a ,sn the opera companies Amanda
equestrienne." headed the list of Rubon.
nlers, which Is as follows: Gladys Wallis
Mary Young, Mabella Baker, Minnie De
rue, Florence Thornton, Ella Aubry. Goldie
AiiareWs, Louise Cunning, Eleanor Kendall
Ad1ne Bowler. Minnie Woodbury.. Edith
Burbank, Rosalind Goblin, John Slayin
samuel Edwards, Bert Thayer. Edward
aisM douglas Flint, Joseph Fay, George
Rlchard Quilter. Basil Totson, Charles
"haien, E. b. Knight and H. S. Austin.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
"A stIons play, weakly handled, was the
Presentation of Under the Red Rohe,, h,,
Charles Frohmans company at the I,afaT.
cite Square Theater last night Some n,arn
pers OF the cast did not possess the ability
yh, I, Il
tnelr ability in the past would not do as
wei as they might and failed to maintain
their records. The play abounds in dra-
nla'lc situations and is replete with strong
unless handled by competent people the
narrow margin which is said to divide the
sublime from the ridiculous is easily wtped
CUT. The author has attempted the diff
CUT TASK OF popularizing a despicable
character, of making hero of a gamester.
trawier and. finally, a spy. The base ac-
tons the hero is called upon to perform
are transmitted into good metal In the fire
OF the last act Of attempted self-sacrifice
and atonement, from which he energies
purified. Ire title of the book from which
the play is adapted comes from the part
which Cardinal Richelieu takes in the
story. He Is, in fact, the handspring that
moves the actors in the thrilling drama,
although he appears only in the beginning
to start the machinery and in the end to
distribute reward.
Gil de Berault is broken-down gamester
and duelist, who by a last violation of the
edlct against dueling comes under the ban
OF the cardinals displeasure. A chance of
life is held out to him If he will undertake
the mission of trapping and arresttng
Henri de Cocheforet. the cardinals enemy.
To do this requires that the unfortunate
man shall ingratiate' himself into the
household and favor of the Cocheforet
family. He is made welcome by the two
brave gentlewomen. who are holding watch
n IA fho fafSt f,f
the secreted husband and brother. Implicit
faith is reposed In the spy, who falls in
love with the sister. His shame and morti
fcation over the ignoble part he is~playing
with these trusting folk furnish an oppor-
tunity for acting of character which
William Morris, who took the part of Be-
rault last night, does not seem to appre-
ciate. The arrest Of Cocheforet, Berault's
remorse, and his subsequent releasing of
his prisoner. with Berault's departure for
Paris to deliver himself to the cardinals
displeasure the ladter's forgiveness, and
the uniting of Berault and Cocheforet's
sister form dramatic situations. Giles
Shine takes the part of Richelieu, and in
terprets the character in a manner dis
tiLctly his own. Miss Mary Hampton as
Renee de Cocheforet manifested restraint
of effort which disappointed her friends
who had seen her in other parts not SO
favorable for good work as this one. Frank
McGlynn as Con, the dumb servant, de-
serves commentator for the conscientious
eHOrt ne put fOrth. Inc audience reCOg-
niZed this and demonstrated their approval
William Furnam as the lieutenant was at
ease in his part, while Edwin Thanhouser
as Captain Larolle manifested overmuch
anxiety to carry out the only comedy role
in the play.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-Hoyt's enjoy
able travesty on the citizen-soldiery, en-
titled "A Milk White Flag has been
going the rounds for a long time now, but
1t seems rather to improve with age and
to gain the flavor that comes with long ac-
quaintance. This fact was clearly evinced
by the large and after time, enthusiastic
audience that gathered at the Academy of
Music last night to witness a performance
OF this clever farce, the most enjoyable in
many minds of Hoyt's numerous produc-
lions. In many respects the company pre-
senting "A Milk White Flag last night
was superior to the original one, while in
other phases it fell below it. The presence
of Harry Gilfcil was missed, but Richard
Garnella did a great deal to make the de-
hciency less noticeable. the feature of the
play, as has always been the case is the
character work of the undertaken, and in
this line John s. Marble, member of the
original company, cannot be excelled His
work last night was of the high order that
has made him name in this farce Next
to the undertaken, the part OF the widow
Is, perhaps. the most important and this
oh q afpf toll I,.,N