Evening star., 1898-01-04
AMUsEMENTs, A

LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
Richard Mansfield, whose efforts as q
comedian and character actor are always
enjoyable, opened weeks engagement at
the Lafayette Square Opera House last
night He appeared in the latest addition
to his repertoire, 1.-The Devils Disciple" I"
by Mr.. c. Bernard Shaw, a London gentle
man, the author Of Arms and the Man"
Mr.. Mansfield has done much for the
American stage. He has produced a large
number of new plays and invariably gives
his patrons something of genuine merit, If
not always OF popular interest. That Mr..
Mans1elds talents are critical rather than
inspirational is again illustrated by this
performance. The mechanism of express
sion is measured, adjusted and made to
move with nicely which assures the spec
tator that there are no variations in quail
ity; that Mr.. Mansfield's voice will rise
on the same syllables, and his footprints
fall on precisely the same spots in the
flooring as they did the night before.
The Devils Disciple is whimsical bit
or literary burlesque. The apparent art
iessness with which Mr.. Shaw poses as a
poid, bad 1conoclast and hammers away at
men of straw is richly enjoyable, and it is
not necessary to go into the question of
whether he is sometimes intentionally funny
or unconsciously so. Sometimes a satirist
mas the good fortune to he misunderstood 1t
Is very possible that Mr.. Shaw's trite he.
fClcs and commonplace climaxes will, de.
spite honestly humorous intentions, appeal
TO many people as humanizing touches of
sentiment: sent 1t may be that the disserta
tions on 1ooty," "dooty' or "dewty," as
the case may he Opinions on this matter
seemed to vary), will be regarded by those
with a keen appetite for melodrama as old
1ashioned, homespun idealism, and so en-
able the box-ofice to prosper and the Gym
les to be edited simultaneously. The idea
OF General Burgoyne, on the threshold of
certain defeat. stopping to handy jokes
" WIN prisoner about to be executed offers
Fascinating study in the grotesque If
MI Shaw would select a subject worthy of
MS wit, and proceed with a little sincerity
Oh purpose. ne might rank as a literary and
artlstlc power. But his efforts are only
gymnastics, and his refinement Is excessive
10 the degree of decadence.
Inc superb finish of the performance was
~ n,sniy appreciated yesterday evening. 1t
IS pay IN which the conversation domi-
mates the action, and one, therefore, which
requires complete and careful representa-
dia diom. me en]oyment shown by the au-
and actors. Miss Monk contributed some
admirable work to the role of the heroine.
new, NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-A de-
lght1ul play, a beautiful play, redolent of
lavender and rosemary, and the atmos-
Phere OF old-time things, full of quaint
humor, chivalric speeches and the courtly
sraGes OF colonial danes and gentlemen.
"A play that pleases in every line and every
acllon, that arouses no morbid sentiment.
out sends the audience away with a seusa-
lion OF satisfaction. This, in brief, is the
description that applies to "A Virginia
Courtship." as played by Mr. w. H. Crane
and his excellent company at the New Ma
tonal Theater last night The favorable
CRITICISMS which preceded the comedy's
arrival IN Washington attracted large
audience. At the end of the second act
they evidenced their Endorsement of all the
nice things that have been said about the
play by three curtain calls for the company
Crane.
Mr. Eugene w. Presley, who wrote "a
Virginia Courtshp," acknowledges in an
authors note that 'in evolving the scenes
ana incidents of the new and romantic
story around which "A Virginia Courtship'
Is built, the author has tried to follow the
models, and in some respects has copied
the personaSes made familiar in the old
comedies. which are destined to live and be
popular as long as the English language is
spoken" 1t is evident that he has gone to
The Rivals the School for Scandal
and London Assurance" for models for
some of his characters and situa tions, but
this is not fault. On the contrary, he Is
to be commended for the skill he has
shown in the adaptation and transfer of
the highest types OF English comedy to
this country in its earlier social life. 1t
has been evident from the receptions ac-
corded his comedy since its first presenta-
tior that he has made no mistake in this
policy. 1t is entirely logical to adapt the
basis of the old English comedies to colo
NAL life, where the customs of the gentry
of the mother country and cavalier Virgin
Ia were similar. This play is destined to
give the theater-going public rest, that
will be well appreciated, from the turgid
melodramas, the unhealthy society plays
and the unsatisfying tinseled fantasies that
crowd the stage. The plot of "A Virginia
Courtship" is simple and pretty, being the
unfolding of a double love story of Maj.
Fairfax and Madame Constance Robert
and Tom Fairfax and Prudence Robert.
Father and son love mother and daughter,
concealing the fact from each other
through a miSunders landing, which is not
cleared up until the final scene. There is
good opportunity for comedy work of
conversational nature throughout the play.
and the actors avail themselves of it. The
costumes are those Of colonial days, and
are rich and beautiful.
Mr.. Crane in the character of Major Fair
fax. the fox-hunting, dl el-fighting, courtly
Virginia gentleman of the old school. is
the same happy impersonator of comedy
roles that Washingtonians have known
for many years. This play gives him
chance to approach a class of comedy in
which Warren and Gilbert, Jefferson and
Florence achieved success. Mr.. Cranes
admirers think he has not erred in essay
ing to this role and will encourage him to
continue his work. The par Us him per-
fcctly. 1t is full of contrat.- lions. all of
which are point edly brought out, and his
conception is consistently and artistically
carried out.
The company is a strong one throughout.
ana the work of its members is harmonious
and consistent. Miss Annie Irish as
Madame Constance Robert. makes an at
tractfve colonial dame and is a good foil in
her French artfulness for the bashful ad-
Vances of her squire lover. Miss Percy
Haswell, as Prudence Robert, is a spright-
ly maiden, and makes the best of her op-
portunities for stage work. Miss Kate Les
ter, as Betty Fairfax, the majors sister.
Miss Louise Closer, as Marie, the French
maid, and Miss Frances Stevens, as Laura
FenWick, are limited in opportunity, but
not In ability. Tom Fairfax the aior's
son. Is impersonated by Walter Hale. who
does the part well, while Boyd Putnam. as
Jack Neville the majors adopted son. is a
pollshed and accomplished rascal without
being too much of villain. William Bcag
brought out all the possibilities of the
character of Squire Fenwick and showed
the advance he is making as a careful
and painstaking actor. Vincent Serrano
as Berkeley a young planter, won for him
self liberal share of the praise bestowed
upon the company. He was on the stage
snort time, but long enough for WASH
lnston to become acquainted with him
and remember him favorably. William e.
Butterfield, as Juniper; Percy Brooke. as
sam and Charles F. Gothhold master of