The times., 1898-05-22
PRODUCED AT THE OAKS
Two Successful Farces, Each En-
titled THE Second Polka"
One Written by Miss Barrows, the
Other by Miss NfcoIay-Other
Pleasant Happenings.

A unique innovation in the history OF
playwriting was introduced last night
when two farces OF the same name, having
cast and the same stage setting, was pro-
duced at the residence. OF Mr.. and Mrs
Blount. on Georgetown Heights.
The actors We're respectively Miss Ma
bel Barrows. the daughter of Representa-
tive Barrows. of Massachusetts, and Miss
Helen Nicolay, the daughter of Col. John
G. Nicolay. both pretty, brilliant and
gifted young ladies. The farces had their
origin about a year ago during a tea table
chat when Miss Barrows remarked that
she had dreamed the night before that
she had written play entitled THE Sec
ond Polka
Thereupon Miss Blount, who was the
hostess of the occasion, suggested that
Miss Barrows write play to suit The
name and make the dream come true
The young lady of the dream consented
upon condition that the others would also
try and see what sort of play each could
evolve out of so indefinite a title. Miss
Nicolay and Miss Chapman, who We're
of the group. agreed to the proposition
and Miss Blount stipulated that the plays
We're 10 be given their first production at
The Oaks. Each was to be in one act
and TO contain three characters, one lady
and two gentlemen, and the scene was to
be adapted to the facilities of the very
complete theater on the upper floor of
her home. AS Miss Chapman shortly
after became Mrs. Hansbrough her
share of the contract was broken but
few weeks later Miss Barrows and Miss
Nicolay reported to Miss Blount that
their plays were ready for criticism-and
last night witnessed the brilliant result.
The theater which Mr.. and Mrs. Blount
have fitted UP at the top of their beauti-
full home is complete and elegant in all
its details. The walls are frescoed with
Egyptian figures on a background of light
saffron and Thespis could have asked for
nothing more perfect than the stage set
ting, which showed a conservatory with
inviting chairs and groups of graceful
palms. THE Second Polka" as written
by Miss Barrows was the first 10 be pro-
duced, with the author in the character
of Susanne Wilde.
Mr.. Theodore Friebus, whose experience
is great and whose triumphs are many,
enacted the role of Jack Carver. while the
part OF Mr.. Whitney was played by Mr..
Ernest Fahnestock, who was a close con-
testant for the histrionic honors of the
evening, despite the fact that it was his
debut.
<AiOkftl GtDuldiiit VI lIlt evening WIZ
scored a distinct success was Miss Eliza
beth Blount. who played the role of
Grace Morton in THE Second Polka as
achieved by Miss Nicolay Mr.. Friebus
and Mr.. Fahnestock took, respectively,
the characters of Samuel Staymans and
Edward Wheeler, and at the close of the
play the stage was cleared for the dance
Of Daphne, in which Miss Barrows told
in classic posture and poetic motion the
sl,s1sa sayir- Of
was changed into a tree. Nothing more
novel and beautiful has been seen at
the capital than the dancing of Miss
Barrows. who studied her art abroad
Every movement was the perfection of
grace, and when towards the last she be-
came apparently fixed to the ground by
! the will of Jove while her slowly sway
/ ing arms wound a scarf about her body
/ finally become rigid with one arm out
! stretched, the resemblance to the green
! trunk and branch OF tree was so artis-
tically realistic that one could-almost-
feel that Daphne had lived and loved out
side Of mythology and that her tree epi-
sode was as true as Washington'si The
music of the dance-Chopin' Third Bal
lade-was played by Mr. Stanley Ohm
sted. who has recently returned from his
/ studies in Vienna Both plays were bright
! in plot and dialogue and were cleverly
! acted. and both authors and actors were
the recipients of most enthusiastic and
! well deserved praise. The audience con-
/ sisted of over a hundred guests and if
/ persuasion will have its effect, the pretty
/ performance will be produced again.
/ Mrs. Robert I. Fleming has cards out
for Wednesdays, 4 to Z, during this month
and June at "Oak View" where the
family is already domiciled for the sum-
mer.
Mrs. J. E. Sickles and her daughter,
Miss Polly Sickles, are home from an