The times., 1898-05-29

debt the fold of the Lambs.
Finally advance notices began to appear,
and everyone excepting Leander Richard
son was duly glad.
The names announced were all of the
most influential sort, and, while two or
three of the best were afterward removed
from everything but the advertising. those
remaining were strong enough to insure
big houses. The very best comedians In
the country were to be seen in entirely
new work while singers of the rarest
ability were to be accompanied by what |
is undoubtedly one of the finest bands in |
this country. The rehearsals passed by |
without either dissolution or a massa-
ere and the Star Gambol became an as |
sured fact.
The Lambs reached here on Thursday |
night and were seen. after parade up |
the Avenue, at the National Theater A
large and extremely fashionable audience
turned out, attracted by the presence of
more brain than 1t had ever seen outside
of a medical museum. The crowd expect
| ed to be interested in the professional re-
alism brought in, to be pleased with the
musical offerings and to be duly ele-
| waited by the spectacle of Nat c. Goodwin
| In black face and Stuart Robson with a
crazy-quilt coat on.
Outside of the initiated ten, few prob
ably intended to be really amused. Be
| cause Mr.. Goodwin could please In An
| American Citizen there was no sign that
| he should be better than George Wilson
! or Lew Dockstader on the end-or. al
| least. so they reasoned. Then the chaff
| and professionalism would doubtless be
| as confusing as instructive, and altogether
| the average person went to the entertain
| ment much as Chicago girl might go to
| Browning lecture.
But everyone who was anyone was there
| and everyone was surprised and delighted
| by the performance given 1t was not only
| unique to see Mr.. Goodwin rid of his dig
| nifty, but ii proved a fact that he turned
| out to be. by all odds, the best endman
| ever heard in Washington. Mr.. Goodwin
| missed his vocation when he took up high
| comedy-said most of those who heard
| him mimic Sir Henry Irving and saw him
do a breakdown. Stuart Robson's demi-
| semi-quaver was also provocative of
laughter, while Willie Golfers aggreved
| look, Ignacio Martinettis smile. and jeff
| erson De Angelis's confidential remarks
| were as humorous De Wolf Hopper in
terlocuting 1t was enjoyable, too, to hear
| the big men of the theatrical profession
hitting at each other, Mr.. Robsons re-
marks upon Mr.. Goodwin's knowledge of
| the word still being taken no less up-
| roariously than were the latter gentle
| mans lines in regard to Augustus Pitou's
war plays.
The quips and jests were all new, too
/ while some of the comic songs contrib
uted were as smilable they were
| unique. One was forced into hilarity when
he thought of Augustus Thomas puzzling
! over the answer to a conundrum of his
own evolution. or Jesse Williams attempt
| ing a harp obligato TO that beautiful bal
| lad, Hit With a Brick"
| Nearly all the serious musical selections
were taken from line OF old favorites
| which regained their pristine charm in
the vocal chords of the men who rendered
| them 1t was delightful to hear William
| Philips sweet tenor in with All Her
| Faults Love Her Still, pleasing to note
the old resonance in Chauncey Olcott's
voice when he sang when the Robins
Nest Again" and. above all nothing could
have compared with Eugene Cowles's exc
cution Of "Old Black Joe" and Annie
| Laurie Victor Herbert's band was heard
| to advantage. too, and altogether the
| first part was an unexpected treat.
To be perfectly frank, most Of the af-
| terpieces were thoroughly Disappointing
Their authors did not seem able to de-
scend to nonsense with the grace brought
into reQuisition by their interpreters. and
! the result was effortous and frequently
dull work that was only appreciated be-
| cause of the absurdity of seeing II enact
ed by recognized celebrities. Ma OnIiest
| Girl" was not credited to anyone. and
indeed. from its intense stupidity, It is
! doubtful if IT ever boasted an author
| The Art of Maryland" too was not at
all worthy of Augustus Thomas, its hu-
| NOR being laborious and heavy, while its
! opportunities We're few 'I.'Affaire Dune
| Melodie" had little merit as a pantomime
it being neither fish, flesh nor fowl like in
| its makeup. Even Edward A Paulton's
| Called Perfect at Ten" was not what il
| might have been, and though far superior
| to the rest, did little more than act as
| vehicle for the talents of the players
| Only the excellent work of Jefferson De
| Angels. Willie Collier, Charles Hopper
| Fritz Williams William n Crane, John
| E. Kellerd, William H Mcdonald. Digby
Bell, De Wolf Hopper, Joseph Holland
| Wilton Lackaye, Henry Clay Barnabee
| Harry Connor, A. S. Lipman, Burr Nc
| Intosh, T. Daniel Frawley, Joseph Girls
mer, Charles Klein, Jesse Williams, Al
| fred Klein and George Barnum saved the
| three pieces from absolute stupidity.
All the music used however, was ex-
| cellent and reflected great credit on its
| composers.
Taken all in all. the Star Gambol of the
Lambs was delightful surprise and a
convincing proof that "a little nonsense
when well done must be relished by
| everyone" The money expended in seats
was well spent, and those who were
| present will take the fact that au revoir
| was used instead of good-by at the bot
tom of the program for hopeful sign
that we may have the Lambs here again
| in the near future.
The second annual season of the Co
lumbia Stock Company not only opened
well. but business kept up all through
the week. Considering the disadvan-
| tageous weather and the many other
| things with which the attraction had to
cope. this was an excellent sign. In its
production of Held by the Enemy the
organization proved more than ever its
| right to the support of Washington the
| atergoers and it is to be hoped that To-
cal amusement lovers will do their ut
| most 20 maintain a combination so credit
| able to this city.
In Treasurer Harry Aliens leaving for
New York the announcement of which
| was published exclusively in The Times
the local Rialto loses much. Mr.. Allen
was not ony a capable and thoroughly
able official, but he proved himself to be
a courteous and affable gentleman an
excellent friend and a man so thoroughly
| honest and honorable as to win the re-
spect of his worst enemies. In his as
sumption of the management of the Muir
ray Hill Theater Mr. Allen is assured
of success. but in any and all events, he
may feel that he has the very best wishes
of everyone connected with theatrical af-
fairs in the Capital City.
And, by the way, it is tomorrow night
that has been set for Manager Eugene
Kernan's benefit at the Lyceum. Mr.
Herman has occupied a prominent posi-
discharge of his duties and the regula-
; @F l.