The times., 1898-02-03
COMING TO THE THEATERS.

Thomas w. Keene. the eminent
American tragedian. viii play his an
nual engagement at the Lafayette
Square Theater next week, when he
VIII be seen in a repertoire of standard
legitimate plays. Mr.. Keene is now
considered to be one of the representa-
tive tragedians of the American stage,
a position that he has earned by long
ana studious work in the impersona-
ton of Shakespearean and other classi-
cal roles He is this season accom-
panied by and under the management
of Charles Il. Hanford. the talented
young Washington tragedian. who has
earned place in the front rank of
leading men of the stage of this coun-
try. The repertoire to be given during
Mr.. keene's engagement will be as fol-
lows: Monday evening. 'Itichelieu;"
Tuesday and Saturday evenings
Richard III" Wednesday matinee,
Louis XII" Wednesday evening.
"othello;" Thursday evening, Ham
let; Friday evening. the Merchant of
venice, and at the Saturday matinee
Julius Caesar Mr.. Keene has asso-
ciated with him this season the strong
est company of legitimate players that
he has had for many years.
1t includes, besides Mr.. Hanford,
such well-known artists as Mrs. S. a
Baker, Lucia Moore. Mary Timber
mann Marie Drofnah. George Morton,
Carl Ahrendt, Lawrence Lowell, John
Milton, Arthur Stanford and Paul c..
Taylor. The management promise that
each play to be given Will be elabor-
ateiy produced with new and appro-
pirate scenery and historically correct
costumes. MIR. Keene is known favor
ably TO the theater-goers of this city,
and will no doubt do fine weeks busi-
ness.
The sale of seats for the engagement
opens this morning.
NJ. Sol Smith Russell. in what is
perhaps the most artistic success of his
long career, will be the attraction at
the New National Theater next week.
Mr. Russelrs Characterization are
those Of an artist. Every movement
that he makes upon the stage is clear,
free. open, firm and of an obvious sig
niffcance. Every tone of his voice is
distinctly intended and is distinctly
Eeard. The character that he represents
Is shown as a unique identity, but il
is not all at once developed. the mani
1eStatIonS Of it being made gradually
10 proceed under the stress of expert
ence end emotion
Mr.. Eussell's support is admirably
balanced. This year it Will include
Nanette Comstock Edith Crane. Fan
ny Addison Pitt. Alfred Robinson. Or
rim Johnson. Sidney Booth. William
Seymore. Alfred Hudson and many
others. "A Bachelors Romance will
be given on Monday, Tue sday, Wedres
day and Wednesday matinee On
Thursday and Friday evenings Mr..
Russell will appear in a new bill. which
will include the one-act gem. Mr. Val.
entine's Christmas" in which Mr.. Rus
sell made q lasting impression two
seasons ago. This will be followed by
a production of The Tanning Of the
Shrew," Mr.. Russell taking the part of
Petrochi0, and Miss Crane appearing
as Katherine. The concluding play in
this bill will be J. Madison Morton's
comedy in two acts. called The Spit
fire. Mr.. Russell, il is said has been
most liberal in the expenditure of mon
ey for the proper mounting OF these
plays. On Saturday afternoon and
evening the only performances of Sher-
idan's brilliant comedy, The Rivals
Will be given.