Evening star., 1898-12-06

the domestic circle where she must inevi-
tably be disturbing influence? Ought the
still unwedded father of her child to have
allowed his regard for truth to make him
hesitate and stanmer when the lie which
would conceal his offense would have been
SO slight a matter compared to the oHense
itself?
The German author presents but one solu-
ton to all these queries. He merely points
the potency of impulse and the helplessness
of reason at crises when it is most needed
Having made his characters commit mis-
takes which are, alas, too natural, he per-
mits the inevitable to work itself out, and
disdains to mar his work by single con-
cession to the popular appetite for poetic
justice Data dropped In the dialogue IN
dicate that when Magda yields to the
temptation to become respectable, she Is
twenty-nine years of age. Yet such re-
search is idle. The intolerance of restraint,
the willful inpetuosity of a woman whose
contempt for conventionality has the en-
couragement of a successful career, are de-
picted by Modjeska with a vivacity and
grace which defy chronological calculation
Her powers are more temperamental than
technical, for despite the delicate accuracy
of her art, it is the emotional fervor from
within which fascinates and makes her
superior even to the somewhat diSillusion1Z-
ing foreign accent which constantly asserts
itself.
Not only is Modjeska's individual per-
formance marked by fine attention to detail,
but her supporting company is of excep-
of great capabilities, and Mrs. Hannah i.
Sargent is an actress whose talents are
by no means limited to the portrayal OF
antique and waspy ladies, albeit she plays
a part of this kind well that it might be
casually accepted as a specially. Tonight
Modjeska will make a still deeper plunge
into the 1achrymose and present Mary Stu
art, a good old play, in which none but
a great artist OF the old school would think
of tempting popular applause. Mod5eska's
engagement offers an opportunity to see
several plays which are sadly neglected,
owing to the scarcity of talents adequate
for their proper performance.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-The Liliputians
in a new spectacular production, The Cold
en- Horseshoe" attracted a large audience
to the Columbia Theater last night. That
the audience as whole was pleased with
the work of the diminutive actors and ac-
treSses is evidenced by the fact that nearly
every feature was encored, while at the end
of each act the curtain was forced TO go
up again and again by the enthusiastic out
bursts of applause that greeted the sew
eral tabeauX. These little people have been
seen here before, but they do not seem to
lose their charm, not only for children, but
for the older ones as We'll and although
their attractiveness lies chiefly in their
diminutiveness, still they possess talent
that is beyond the ordinary and lends eX-
traordinary interest to the production in
which they may appear. The Golden
Horseshoe is clever conceit with the
barest thread of plot giving ample oppor-
tuntty for the manifestation of the art Of
staGecraft Indeed. some of the scenes are
extremely pretty, while transformation
is q gem. Although the little people are
the real attraction. of course, still there
are number of pretty ballets, in which the
costumes are elaborate and in excellent
taste, that are artisticaly arranged, and
serve to round out the production in good
style. Briefly told, the story of the play
deals with two brothers who do not wish
to follow their uncle's footsteps in the
trade of a mechanic, he desires. but who
have ideas of their own with regard to
their future. They desire TO go on the
stage, and meet two variety actresses, who
tell them of a will an eccentric woman in
Kalamazoo has left which provides that
her fortune shall go to the person less than
three feet high who finds a hidden treas
ure in swamp. They go to Kalamazoo,
where they are joined by other mdgsts
VINO are on the stage, and the party at
once makes a united bid for the fortune.
1t Is found finally by one of the actresses,
who Immediately applies her new wealth to
getting up company. The sheriff of Kala-
mazoo. who Is also a midget, and who had
confidently expected TO get the fortune has
daughter, who runs away with this COM
pany. and the production is brought to an
end when all the lovers who have formed
attachments for each other during their
wanderings are united Franz Ebert and
Adolf link as the brothers We're especially
good, the former distinguishing himself as
Use Stdi NOIHtttiIdD Ol tIt troupe.
Miss Bertha Jaeger was charming a. the
Princess EUlalie, one of the variety actress
cs, while Miss Helen Lndner who rnad. her
first bow to Washington audience last
night AS her sister, TootSe the one who
finds the treasure, it is safe TO say monopo-
llZed the attention Of the audience when
ever she appeared on the stage Max Wal
ter as theatrical manager was good, while
Miss Selma GOerner Will GAY an actor,
displayed considerable talent In that line
and also the best voice in the company.
Mrs. Toni Meister, as Gays sister, and Mrs.
Elise Ebert-Lau, who is Franz Eberts wife,
as Eva, the daughter of the cheriff, credit
ably fulfilled the requirements of their
parts, while Hermann Ring, as Luke Sharp,
the sheriff of Kalamazoo, was more than
clever in his role. The remainder of the
company was very acceptable. Some of the
features of the production deserve special
mention, and among these special honor
must be accorded the impersonation of
celebrated orchestra leaders and bandmas-
tors by the midgets. Sousa was the last
one to appear. and the curtain was raised
half a dozen times and three of his marches
We're repeated before the audience would be
satisfied. Franz Ebert's makeup as the
March King was excellent, and his handling
OF the baton showed that he had studied
Scusa's characteristics closely. The living
pictures, embracing scenes from the late
war, were also excellent The Golden
Horseshoe" will continue at the Columbia
this week, with the usual matinees Thurs
day and Saturday afternoons at 2:15 o'clock,
and should attract the same amount Of
business that it did last night.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
The Royal Italian Opera Company is a
high sounding title. but 1t has been known
a good deal over the country during the
last year or more. 1t made its appearance
in the east last spring in New York and
surprised the musical critics there by some
excellent performances of grand opera, and
incidentally giving the first presentation of
Pucctni's La Boheme" Nothing but
praise was given the company for its work.
but 1t didn't make money. Early the pres
ent season the company commenced an en-
Sagement at the New York Casino which
came to an abrupt termination from lack of
patronage. After a brief season of rest il
reorganizcd and went tour Last night
II opened an engagement at the Lafayette
Square Opera House, giving two acts of
Lucia and "CavaIleria Rusticana." The
audience that greeted the company was NOT