Evening star., 1898-12-17
chief performer during this part of the

Nature has been lavish in her gifta to her,
and her claim to the queenship Of burleS1ue
and the realm of mirth and beauty is well
founded. And there are others in the COM
pany who, while they pay allegiance to
Miss Starr, have established regulations of
their own. This organizat ton includes all
told forty divinities and comedians. With
such an aggregation of talent success IS
simply the index of merit, and as natural
consequence no company on the road this
season has established a better reputation
or gained more popularity than the High
Rollers
FRANCIS WILSON.-An evidence of the
popularity of Francis Wilson was in evi
dence Thursday when the advance sale Of
seats opened. Although Mr.. Wilson does
not come to Washington until January 2
the reservations so far indicate the usual
business associated with Mr. Wilson
crowded houses. The quality Of Mr.. Will
sons humor is one of those peculiarly origi-
nal things that may be said to defy analy-
sis. 1t is a native instructive thing, not
wrought out of a plan and with a purpose,
but seemingly a sheer outgrowth of tenn
perament There is nothing in Mr.. Will
sons work to give offense, and the things
that he does are quite Irresistible, making
a kind of person appeal to the audi tor
1t is this style of Wilson's that has made
him so many friends. Mr. Wilson has re-
ceived lavish praise in other cities for the
beauty and completeness of his new opera
the Little Corporal" The company is n
large one and the principals all well
known fayorites. The lyrics of the opera
are of the kind that linger with one, while
the lines and jests provided by the ltbrettist
for the star are of the kind to provoke un-
limited laughter. The costuming is natur
ally gorgeous. for the period in which the
story belongs makes this possible The
countries in which the scenes take place
have given the scenic artist excellent op-
pCrtunties, of which he has taken advan-
tsge The roster of Mr.. Wilson'S company
is as follows: Lulu Chaser. Denis
A. NJ. Holbrook, Ambrose Daily, Samuel
Chadwick, George Stevens, J. T. Chaillee
w. Laverty. George Pelzer, Henry Morey,
Stanton Heck, Maude Lillian Berrf, Allen
Florence Relda. Seats are sale at Guz-
mans, in Droop's, 925 Pennsylvania ave-
nue..
THE ELLIS GRAND OPERA SEASON.
Anticipation over the season of grand
opera, announced by Charles A. Ellis to be
given by the Ellis Opera Company at the
Lafayette Square Opera House during the
week of January 2, has already been sharp
ened by the enthusiastic comments which
the performances of the organization have
occasioned in Philadelphia, where the COM
pany Is triumphantly proceeding with its
season, which will be of nearly two months
duration. The performances in Washington
will give to our musical votaries the oppor-
tunity Of hearing Nine. Melba, the unques-
toned empress of musics vast domain;
Nine. Gadski, easily and infinitely the supe
rior of all German lyric sopranos, and Zellie
de Lussan, an American prfma donna, who
not only conquered her own country before
she attained fame abroad, but returned to
it and reconQuered the critical confreres.
Three tenors of renoWn, that justifies their
artistic equality with the names above.
principal companions in the opera, of the
famous high-voced singers. They are Herr
Dippel, unquestionably the greatest of
German tenors; NJ. Ronnard, who Is ably
described by one critic as the best French
tenor we have had In this country, except
Jean de Reszke and Pandolfni, a Sicilian
who enhanced the value of a fine reputa-
tion by his appearances with the Ellis or
ganZation.
An interesting feature in connection with
the announcement of the opera season is
the engagement by Mr.. Ellis of the entire
membership of the New York Symphony
Orchestra. which is now the regularly at
tached instrumental body of the Ellis OPP
era Company.
THE MUTOSCOPE-The little instru-
ment called the mutoscope presents to the
eye Photographic views of objects in mo-
ton in so Hfellke manner as to border
upon the marvellous. Results heretofore at
tained by instruments of this class have
been unsatisfactory, the views produced
being too small, blurred and unsteady, tir-
ing to the eye. and taking away much of
the realistic effect. The mutoscope IS free
from all these objections and difficulties. 1t
presents views about the size of a cabinet
pllOIbSFdpH, ana runs SO SInOOInly ana
steadily that each picture appears to be Il
part of one continuous photograph of a
scene, with every gesture and movement
faithfully reproduced, as in life. In the op-
Grafton Of the mutoscOpe the spectator has
the performance entirely under his own
control by the turning of the crank. He may
make the operation as quick or a slow as
fancy dictates or he may maintain the nor
NAL speed at which the original perform
ance took place; and If he so elects the
entertainment can be stopped by him at
any point in the series, and each separate
picture inspected at leisure. Thus, every
step, motion. act or expression can be an
alyzed, presenting effects at once instruct
i've, interesting, attractive, amusing and
startling. The crowds that daily pay it a
visit go to prove that 1t is g. wonderful eX-
hibition.
"A REIGN OF ERROR."-John j. Nc
Nally's life hit. "a Reign of Error plays
return engagement at the Columbia
Theater New Year week. Everything is
new and sparkling about the production,
ard the result is certainly appreciated.
Slipshod scenery and nondescript costumes
have nothing whatever in common with
"A Reign of Error" which serves so ad-
mirably to introduce the Rogers brothers
as stars before the play-going public. The
comedy has plot, and funny one a t
that, and the addition of catchy songs,
dainty dances and glimpses of attractive
feminnity make combination which is diff
fcult to surpass.
THE TELEPHONE GIRI4"-At the
New National Christmas week the New
York Casinos justly celebrated beauty
show" will be the attraction. The success
of THE Telephone Girl' is partly due to the
fact that the entertainment is completely
characteristic of the Casino in point of
arChness of motif and ensemble, and,
moreover, In prodigality of color and ma
terial in the stage presentation. The sup
port that the stars, Louis Mann and Clara
Lipman receive from their associates in the
cast, prepossessing chorus and dances in
cluded, together with the scenic framing
of the whole, contributes very effectively
to the success of the diverting piece. The
book Is by Hugh Morton. and the music
by Gustave Kerker, while it was staged by
George w. Lederer. This noted trio has
given the Casino the greutest successes,
In Gay New York; The Lady Slavey,"
AN American Beauty" The Belle of New
York" and Yankee Doodle Dandy" The
production is sent here with the original
company, scenery, properties and in a COM
plete Casino outfit.
JAMES O'NEILL.-After an absence of
several years from Washington Mr.. James
O'Neill, an actor of unusual distinction will
fill an engagement at the Academy of Mu-
sic Christmas week Christmas matinee
and night, Wednesday, Friday and Satur-
day evenings Mr.. O'NeilI will aDpear as