Evening star., 1898-11-12
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.

-Inere is no record OF any play or opera
having, in an equally brief period. achieved
the momentum, so to speak, that has been
attained by The Belle of New York now
starting forth upon second season in
this country. Neither IIugh Morton nor
Gustave Kerker, the author and composer,
could have dreamed that the Salvation
Army Lassie's characteristic song would
run the gauntlet of all nations in less than
a year THE Belle has shown staying
qualities unlocked for in the Intentionally
cpheneral class of off-hand effort to which
II belongs. The return of this unique and
ever delightful novelty to the boards of
the Lafayette Square Opera House, where
on it first became locally famous last sea-
son, will take place Monday evening, with
Mr.. Dan DAILY in his original character
and as the star feature of the engagement,
and In the supporting cast. there will be
other familiar Casino favorites, and few
new corners, recently called Buds of Ca
sino promise. lnasmuch as the entire
stage setting shown at this theater last
April is now in use at the Shaftsbury
Theater, London. whittier the tout ensem-
bic was transferred direct, upon the close
of the last season, Il complete new equip
ment will deck the Lafayette Opera House
stage Monday night The management ex
press the belief that this renaissance of the
Belle WILL in. spectacular beauty, not
less than in the intelligence and dash of the
artists and chorus employed prove a hap
ply counterpart of their Introductory under
taxing, concerning which such agreeable
recolectionS remain to u.s.
MIR. Dalys title to a figurative bouquet at
the hands of his admirers will not be de-
MED. Messrs. Lederer and Mcclellan have
surrounded Mr.. Daily with competent
company, numbering nearly one hundred
people. The cast includes MIR Edward Ty-
Ter, who will be seen as Harry Bronson,
the young spendthrift of the play; Mr.. Will
liam Cameron. who will once more pre-
sent his portraiture of "Blinky Bill Nc
Guirk, the "mixed-ale pugilist;'' D. L. Don,
the polite German lunatic; Carl Ahrendt
as Doc Sniffkins; Owen Westford, Ken
liia meth Mugg. the low comedian of the An
gellque Comic Opera Company; Daniel Kel-
ly, Joseph Kane, Robert Dunbar r. ].
Struck, Clarence Mattineau. Miss Helen
Lord, as Violet Grey" the Salvation Army
part of Cora Angelique, the queen of comic
opera; Queenie lassar, as Fifi Fricot, the
little Parisenne; Robbie" Burns as Mania
Clancy, the tough girl: MelIa Webb, as
frankie harrington, Ida Lear: Cecilia
Iihoda; Harriet Merritt, Sylvia Thorne;
Modesto Miner and lta Rock.
COLUMBIA THEATER - Charles B.
Hanford, who is regarded as one of the
most brilliant Shakespearean actors of the
Gay and who is without doubt the finest
reader of blank verse on the American
stage, will be seen at the Columbia The
atcr all OF next week, presenting roper
tore of legitimate and standard plays
which will be given in the following order:
Monday. "Othello, with Mr. Hanford in
the title role; Tuesday and Saturday
nights Julius Caesar" with Mr.. Hanford
as Brutus and Mare Antony, respectively;
Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee,
the Merchant OF Venice" Thursday matt
nee, "Ingonar;' Thursday night, Damon
and Pythas,' and Friday, "Virginius."
The engagement is given as a benefit to
the knights of Pythias of the city of
Washington, ard is rendered by Mr.. Han
ford and the management of the Columbia
Theater as a compliment to the many
friends they have in this fine order, the
members of which it is expected will fill
the theater at each performance. The the
ater-gcers of Washington should be proud
of the position that Mr.. Hanford has won
for himself in the theatrical world. 1t
may be possible that some of our read
ers may not be aware that this talented
young actor is Washingtonian and that
he now fills position in the very front
rank of the great actors of this country.
Mr.. Hanford is credited with being sup
ported by the strongest legitimate organi-
cation In America today. 1t includes such
well-known names as Marie Drofnah, Mary
Timbermann, John A Elser, Frank Hen
Ming, Lawrence Lowell, George Morton, John
Milton Paul G. Taylor and James Young,
nearly all of whom have been seen in this
city in the support of all the great stars
of modern times Ever since Mr.. Hanford
has been doing for himself in the thea trical
business he has made d special effort to
mount all his plays adequately, and this
season he is carrying with him two car
ton of each play in his repertoire. The
costuming. too, is feature. all the dresses
worn being new, rich and historically cor
rect. The sale of seats for the entire
90 cement has been large, and Mr.. Han
ford will undoubtedly play to a success
sion of full houses.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-Huge,
handsome and with a pleasing presence
and magnificent voice, to say nothing of
his great dramatic gifts. it would seem
that James X. Hackett possesses every
essential for a successful star For the
first time at the head of his own organi-
zation. Mr.. Hackett will visit Washington
next week, appearing at the New National
in THE Tree of Knowledge q five-act
comedy drama of modern type which is
new to this city, but the fame of which, by
reason of its long engagements in Lon
don and New York, long since reached
here. The star is a son Of the celebrated
American actor, James H. Hackett, whose
to delight Abraham Lincoln and others
of our forefathers in the good old ante
bellum days. The young man was born
in New York city and his education re-
ceved its finishing touches at the College
of the City of New York. 1t was in 1892
that A. NJ. Palmer, who had heard about
his successful characterization of diff
cult part, in some production by amateurs
in New York, engaged him for his stock
company and cast him for a small part.
But it was not long before Mr.. Hackett
found himself playing leading business,
and few actors have ascended the dramatic
ladder so rapidly as he. He first came
prominently before the public as DeNeip-
perg in Madame Sans Gene" and so fas-
cinated Mr.. Frohman by the actors
splendid portrayal of this difficult part he
at once engaged him for the Lyceum's re-
vival of The Prisoner of Zenda,' in New
York Since then he received countless
encomiums for mis- work as Rudolf Ras-
sendyH," and has since appeared in all
the productions at the Lyceum Theater,
including the "Courtship of Leonie." The
First Gentleman of Europe THE Late
Mr. Castelo'' THE Maytiower,' THE
Princess and the Butterfly and THE Tree
of Knowledge" This latter play is by r.
C. Carton and is a comedy drama dealing
with English folk of the present day, be-
ing modern in its theme and gives MIR.
Hackett excellent opportunity for the dis
play of his histriOniC talents.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-There is nothing
that conduces to the enjoyment of a farce
comedy more than the knowledge that the
performers can do anything-in vocaism,
dancing or acrobatics-that may happen to
be required by the action of the piece.
Every one knows how it spices up the en-
tertainment when one of the actors gives
a surprise by turning difficult somersault,
or making flying leap through a window
in a clean. confident manner. when it is