The times., 1898-12-18

Christmas is not time of good cheer
for theatrical folk. To the weary actor
il brings little in the way of alleviation
from his toll and to the homesick one on
Iy dreams of the sweeping wind on his
far-away Rialto. There are a few pleas
ures left to the stroller and with these
he may endeavor to console himself.
Should a blissful waiter in some one
night-stand hotel choose to guide bowl
of steaming soup down his back he may
reflect that, after ALL warmth is what he
has been calling-for all day: should the
audiences be poor at the afternoon and
evening performances he were queru-
lous did he not remember that in the bit
terness of his heart he had wished for
solitude before. and even the usual dis
comforts of the average sleeping car
should only cause him to glance at the
swiftly passing landscape and recall that
beautiful proverb about its being cheaper
10 move than pay rent. But the unhappy
manager has no such balm for his misery.
At best he can only look at the empty
houses confronting him and curse every
thing connected with the festal day. Un-
der such a stimulus cursing is often a
real comfort
The coming of Christmas is already be-
ing felt keenly in local dramatic circles.
The streets are thronged continually with
shoppers, and those who have not yet
made their purchases are saving money
for that purpose. Accordingly business
has been very bad indeed, and directors
are in dangerous tempers as a result. No
single theater In Washington held any
thing like a good audience during all of
last week. Joseph Jefferson's family
training school visited the National with
people like Otis Skinner. Wilton Lackaye,
Werner Charges and Elsie Leslie accom-.
panying it as coachers. While the seats
were never exactly empty during the en-
gagement enough of them remained in
that primitive state to have caused the
Dean of the American Stage some un-
easiness had he been with his combination
THE Sign of the Cross" had no better
luck at the lafayette. and "A Stranger in
Strange Land was rather harshly treat
ed by the patrons of the Columbia, not
withstanding the fact that he proved 20
be a most entertaining gentleman. ITEM
pest Tossed" dispelled very little of the
gloom that hung over the Academy where
fewer people attended during the eight
performances given than had graced one
during the preceding booking. Kernan's
was as unfortunate with the best show
the stASon mas Drought Inc Bon
Ton Burlesquers" doing nothing in COM
partson with their worth. a good vaude-
Vile bill drew fair houses 10 the Bijou
There are few novelties to be offered
this week but many enjoyable attractions.
Business will probably improve but little.
however, until after New Years Day Oh
"a Nethersole comes TO the Lafayette
with two new and three old successes.
She will present 1.-The Second Mrs Tan
queray" on Monday night Carmen on
Tuesday; 'Frou Frou'' on Thursday; Ca
mile" on Friday and "The Termagant''
on Wednesday and Saturday evenings and
at the Saturday matinee. Charles Bige-
low and Anna Held are to offer 1.-The
French Maid at the National and cast
which includes George Nash and Geof-
fry Stein will perform the same service
for "A Bachelors Honeymoon at the
Columbia Down in Dixie is to be the
bill at the Academy, while the High
Roller Burlesquers" may be seen at Ker-
mans and Press Eldridge will head a good
vaudeville bill at the Bijou. Luck to all.