davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-11-27
"Sonsa Is Coming

''Sousa is coming are the magic words
now heard in many a town where the
March King has been. and there are
few of any Importance that Sousa and
his band have not visited. The annual ap-
pearance of the great American conduc-
tor and composer in this city has become
Il recognized institution. 1t is always re-
garded as the visit of a friend, irrespec-
tive of its artistic aspect, for of all men
now before the public, John Philip Sou
sa assuredly gets in closer touch with his
audiences than any other. Probably Sou
sa's friendliness and cordlality toward his
patrons and his unfailing liberality and
courtesy in responding to encore requests
have quite much to do with his popu-
larity as his famous compositions and his
magnetic conducting
Sousa is unrivaled in his particular line
Besides his qualities as an originator, his
training of a military band shows that he
is a born leader of men. The same virtues
that go to make q successful general are
those that in smaller scale make a sue
cessful band leader. There must be per-
sonal magnetism. infinite self-control, self
confidence, quick Judgment and recogni-
ton of the value of strict discipline cou-
pied with the ability to enforce. Sousa
has all these advantages as well as a
handsome and dignified presence His or
ganization shows the result "The March
King guides his band as a wise general
controls his army. He looks upon it. not
as machine, but as a composite being
susceptible of emotions that any one NAV
feel
The times., 1898-11-27

Thanksgiving came last week and
goodly number of theatergoers proved
their gratitude for the many excellent Of
ferings the year had brought them by
turning out in full force at the various
places OF amusement open for business.
And as worship of Thespis is generally
accompanied by the taking of a large col
lection there is more likelihood that the
official chant of the temple today is Get
Your Moneys Worth than that equally
devoted but slightly more plaintive
hymn, ITS Forty Miles from Schenecta-
dy 10 Troy" Most of the local houses
had well attended special performances
during the engagements that have just
ended and their managers have, there
fore. even more reason to be joyful than
is usually vouchsafed them. The pleas
ure-loving. on the other hand, may feel
that things were coming their way
last week, for a better or more evenly
balanced round of attractions could
hardly be imagined. Accordingly, while
one of the organizations visiting the city
easily overtopPcd its rivals in point Of
business, the remainder We're almost even
in their profits. Alice Nielsen packed the
Lafayette to the doors nightly with Victor
Herbert and Harry b. Smiths tuneful
Fortune Teller" the most fashionable in
Washington paying homage to the charm
ing little singer Neither the National
nor the Columbia did more than might
have been expected, though both kept
well up to the average. Lottie Blair Par
forth At the former place, while The
Red. White and Blue" was both exploited
and exploded every evening in the latter.
Hanlon's ''Superba" drew pleased and
mystihed crowds of youngsters to its
three matinees and succeeded in proving
by the Attendance at It's ether perform
ances that after all ''the child IS father
of the man The Passion Play pictures
were rewarded with rather mesger at
tendance at the Grand, where an amateur
rendering of 'The Hula Girl took place
on Thursday night. At kernan's The
Pa; isian Widows" and at the Bijou a
vaudeville show were viewed by large
gatherings The standard Of business
WIS high and well averaged.
a lire of combinations thar will draw
strongly from wiGe!y-varied classes prom
isrs well for the monetary returns OF this
week Sol Smith Russell comes to The
order comedy written by Charles Klein
and entitled The Hon. John Grigsby.
Alr. Klein y,rot. "D- Bclsraff, which ::
n pretty good guarantee that the stars
v-hic'e viii oe all ghat it should. Blanche
Walsh and Melbourne MacDoweu brini
their productions Of Fanny Davenport
plays to the Lafayette presenting "Fe
dora or Saturday night. La Tosca" OF
Monday evening and at the Wednesday
matinee, with Antony and Cleopatra
for the remainder OF the engagement
These dramas-the work of Nictorien Sar
dou-were produced by Miss Davenport il
a manner that entitled her to be called
Americas female Henry Irving" an,
her s-cCcssors are said TO be bringinl
with them all The costumes and scener!
used by her. Colonel Jack IIaverly
American-Euro7ean Minstrels are to holt
the boards at the Columbia. and Dav!
and keosh mclodrama, on Land an
Sea- will BE- seen at the Academy Refill
and Woods Big Show comes to the Ly
ceum with q vaudeville bill as its rival a
the BijOu. Luck,
The times., 1898-11-27
The SimIa scnncc.

Sir Russell Dequi. who claims to be the
only white Mahatma in America, will re-
peat his wonderfully successful Simia
Seance tonight at the Columbia Theater.
Those who attended the entertainment
last Sunday night are said to have been
dumfounded at the extraordinary powers
exhibited by Sir Russell, who read and
answered over $50 of the most battling
sealed questions imaginable. There was
apparently no scope to these queries.
Many persons were advised about their
stations in life, about business changes
contemplated and concerning absent
friends, while a number who asked SEEM
ingly unanswerable things We're told
about them in such a manner as to sat
isfy many in the audience that the repre-
sentative of the Indian Mahatmas is pos
sessed of a mysterious power which ena-
bes him not only to read the past, but
to divine the future.
At the performance tonight, Sir Rus
sell Dequi will add a number of new fea-
lures to the portion of the program I'M
mediateiy preceding the reading and an
swering of sealed questions. which Will
no doubt, be of unusual merit and inter
est. Indications are that the theater viii
| be packed, as the advance sale of seat:
| has been remarkably large.
The times., 1898-11-27
EsiisOn's WarEraph.

The continuing interest felt in the NOV
ing pictures of the war demonstrates it
self at the exhibitions of the Edison War
graph, given next to the Columbia Thea
ter number of new views have been
added to the machines and have already
grown into favor. that of a bull fight
having become especially popular. A
Photographic series showing a charge OF
United States Cavalry is full of spirit
and animation. while that of the hosting
of the American flag at Cavite is strong
and never fails to provoke patriotic feel
ing. Other fine views are enthusiastical-
ly applauded at each exhibition. The
Wargraph offers a most interesting rec
ord of the "late unpleasantness."
The times., 1898-11-27
The Passion Play.

AT last the church-going people-even
those who are conscientiously opposed to
the theater-have become interested In an
attraction which is creating more interest
among this class of. Localities than has
anything of like nature in the history of
the city. The Passion Plays reproduc-
ton in moving pictures has met with
a hearty reception here. The most
prominent of Washington's divines have
witnessed and indorsed the exhibition,
many giving it credit for being the most
realistic presentation of the STORY of the
Cross" that humanity has ever known
The impression created, is said to have
been so profound that parents, after see
ing the views. are sending their children
to the daily matinees in fiocks. At the
request of the managers of the Grand
Opera House. the directors of the enter
tainment have consented to remain there
another week
The subject Is one that all denomina-
tions have indorsed. Monsignor Martinez
ii and Cardinal Gibbons after Witnessing
the presentation, sent to its agents their
communication in writing. The month be-
fore this weeks engagement, the pictures
toured the State of Virginia, with tie
Rev. II. NJ. Wharton. the great Baptist
evangelist of Baltimore, who assisted
The times., 1898-11-27

the cast at least one wronged Cuban girl
with black eyes and a veil, why war
correspondents are OF necessity made
either idiotically brave or braveiy idiotic,
WHY such efforts are never without an
lrfsn sailor and Il juvenile soldier why
the villain invariably has an assistant,
why the insurgent leader must be ap-
pro, shing his dotage, why-but perhaps
these things are the authors business
IL might be considered pertinent TO sug-
gest. however. that unless commanding
generals carry notaries about in tflsir
knapsacks there is no reason why all Off
cial papers should bear red seals and
that an occasional smile before the last
act would not crack the heroine's face
paint IL she used n sufficient amount of
cold cream under 1t. Then too, the SOU
brette might not be forced to sit on Il
foot-stool while told the story of her life
or that of some one else. nor does it look
right to make officers polish their re-
yoivers twice day while in the heat OF
battle. People should be lost or capture
occasionally without having to change
their costumes for torn ones before re-
turning, for the sake Of novelty the
scoundrel ought to be induced to take a
tobacco cure and an examination of
the five senses of few of the good peo-
pie IN the play might prevent their being
| so constantly overheard or trapped with
out realizing their danger.
little authority may some day be left
to commanders outside of the cast in
stead of the author making every cap
tain in his melodrama supreme ruler of
the country's army. There being no dis
tinct class on the stage. society might
not be offended il the hero did not inva-
riably marry the heroine, while the iuve-
| nile mated the insenue and the comedian
proposed to the soubrette. Men and wom-
! en- who could do brave things without
| telling of them, and pathetically asking
| to be remembered after they were dead
last acts without soldiers and electric
| campfires, official flags with the requisite
number of stars. and uniforms that did
| not resemble those of conductors. might
all aid in purifying the war drama.
Add to these things for the sake o
realism. few officers who do not serv,
| their nation for love of it and good healti
alone, dozen patriotic contractors an'
a few like characters. and one has tn
'mealio-dramar" as it should be. Tn
changes are not difficult TO make. AM
models for the parts may be found-wel
right here in Washington. if the write
wants to save travelling expenses.
The times., 1898-11-27


Moody in his recent New York revfvals.
Many of the newspapers in criticising the
Passion Play giye 1t credit for being the
most dramatic exhibition OF the age-dra-
matte in the sense of the intense fervor of
the peasants who were photographed dur
ing an actual presentation of their sa-
cred play. The accompanying lecture,
which describes every movement and ev
cry gesture as the scenes press before the
eye, is said to be a beautiful word paint
ing in itself. and is given in a mas
terly manner by James j. Skelly, whose
delivery denotes his deep reverence for
his part in the Passion Play. Since the
entertainment was last given here many
elaborate musical features have been III
troduced, including solos by Blanche
Yewell and Prof N. DuShane Coward,
both of whom are well known in this city.
During this, the second week of the eX-
hibition, there will be presentations ev.
cry night with daily matinees at AIS
O'Clock, the hour being so arranged that
parents may bring their children after
school.
The times., 1898-11-27

Cleopatra" is probably pleasant
memory to all who witnessed the per-
formance last given in this city. From
the first act of the production on to the
very last including the great storm cpl
sode. a series of charming Egyptian pic
lures are said to be presented. The re-
production of CIeopatra's barge with its
crowds of swayinG, adoring figures, arm
ed Roman soldiers and brilliant eolored
surroundings. makes Il picture rarely wit
messed on the stage. In this, as in the
remainder Of their repertoire. Mr.. Mac
Doweu and Miss Walsh will have the
support OF Fanny Davenport excellent
company of players
on Mcnday night the twin stars will
appear in LA Tosca." which will be pre-
sented at The Wednesday matinee, An
tony and Cleopatra" is to be done on
Tuesday, Wednesday. Thursday and FIJI
day nights and at the Saturday matinee.
..F.Iora" will receive n single perform
ancc IN Saturday evening.
The times., 1898-11-27

work was vigorously denounced as posi-
lively bestial in its indecency. The ac-
tress herself was severely censured for
lack of judgment and Indifference to
moral and religious propriety. and al
though the denunciation seemed harsh
no intelligent observer could say consci-
entiously that il was unmerited. The
performance as given was passionate TO
immortality and convulsionary to semi
insanity. Frankly confessfng her disap-
pointment, Miss Davenport was loath to
believe that the offense given was ire
medal. Some OF the passages were elm
mated, others were modified. but most
important of all new leading man was
secured to play the part of Scarpia. And
10. transformation With consummate
skill and fine discrimination Melbourne
The times., 1898-11-27
Hiinu-An leniIin

The Bijou Burlesque Company will pro-
duce Legitimate burlesque entitled "Cy-
rano de Boot Jack" with sub-version of
The Indian" interpolated by a cast of
comedians and condolences. In this will
be introduced Mons Arnold Kiralfy, Mile.
Craska and twenty-five coryphees. The
company has been strengthened by the
addition of several new principals and a
clever performance may be looked for.
Mr.. and Mrs. Neuville in "a Rehearsal
with interruptions" Nat NJ. Wills and
Mile. Loretto as THE Tramp and the
Gay Soubrette"; THE Casino Comedy
Four" an entirely new act; the Whitney
Bros. musical wonders; Foster and Lew
in a bright little bit of nonsense, and
many other people of like ability will
complete the bill. Daily matinees
The times., 1898-11-27

pany. To Colonel Haverly. more. than to
any other one man, the American public
is Indebted for making such performances
the whirlwinds of merriment and melody
they are today. Whatever is new in jokes.
in music or in European novelties will be
found included in the program that the
Haverly organization is to present this
week.
In the personnel of his company Colonel
Haverly is said to have exhibited great
care, and the result is that he has sur
rounded himself with an aggregation OF
the foremost MINISTRIES of the present gen.
Grafton 1t is promised that the ever pro-
gressive manager has not been content to
offer the public one two clever men,
but has gathered, together an entire half
circle of the ablest who could be engaged
on this side of The Atlantic.
Prominent among the bright and shining
lights of the Haverly American-European
Minstrels are Billy Rice, Arthur Demng,
John II. Blackford, Neil O'Brien, Buck
| Shelter. L. II. Bogert, George Blackely,
| Master Martin. George W. Lewis, Billy
| Lyons, John Daily. William Riley, Eddie
I.aBarre. II. c. LaBarre, Fred A. John
| son, William Eunice, Joseph NJ Norcross
! Charles Whyte, John W. Early. Joseph
! d. Green, Thomas Woods. Gustave Yer
non Charles E. Foreman, Ole Peterson
and the Nichols Sisters.
The times., 1898-11-27

brutal level to which 1t had been de-
graded and in this elevation the entire
atmosphere of the play is said to have
beeen changed and purified. Scarpia as
a being of iron Will, alternately master
and slave of volcanic emotions, trag. .cally
terrific in his intensity produced an i'm
preston totally different and as far re-
moved from suggestiveness as is the ia
nous fourth act in 'Virginius." This is
the "Tosca" which will be presented at
the Lafayette.
Fedora" is a sinGularly powerful dra-
ma. Its incidents are full of vital
strength and its leading characters are
forceful and most distinctive. While IA
miliar to theatergoers, not only through
| Miss Davenport's fine portrayal of the
part, but also through that of Sara Bern
hardt. for whom the Play was written by
| Sardou Fedora" remains a drama of rare
| interest and one that is always recalled
| with appreciation.
The times., 1898-11-27
TINY TALKS.

Leonora Won Stosch. violinist of more
than national reputation. whose home is
in Washington, is spending a short time
in this city and will appear profess
sionally before returning to Paris. The
virtuoso is now settled" in domestic life,
both she and little daughter bearing the
name of her husband, Louis Howland.
The child was ronping about the floor
last Tuesday when n Times man called.
She is a quaint-looking mite ard the pros
pective interviewer bent over to speak
with her regarding the things that usu-
ally interest young ladies of her age nj
this time of the year. His remarks did
not seem to produce any effect. however.
and Mrs. Rowland explained that tho
baby spoke only French. I'VE have
been SO long in Paris she said. that
this country seems almost foreign. al
The times., 1898-11-27
Kcrnan,.-ReirIy ana Woods, show.

hcrnan's-ReiiIy and Woods Show.
Vaudeville at its best-bright, interest
ing and diverting-is said to characterize
the Reilly and Woods Big Show, this COM
ing weeks attraction at the Lyceum The
ater. Manager Kernan- pronounces the
combination one of the best in the land.
Thirty-seven versatile variety people are
included in its roster. There are the De
Filipis. direct from the Circo Theatro
Oarin Mexico. in Dances of the Ma
tions,' a positive novelty in this coun-
try. the three Melrose Brothers, with
their rapid-fire of remarkable acrobatic
feats; the three Dunbar Sisters. from
the London Music Halls; the Mortens, in
an up-to-date American act; Bessie
Lamb and her troupe of seven picka-
ninnies, in rag-time songs and darkey
diversions; the six Yankee Doodle
Girls in a concerted patriotic episode;
the two Weston Sisters in a knocka-
bout sketch entitled ''Fistic Fun" Frank
d. Bryan. the man VINO writes the songs
he sings" Baker and Reynolds, tlanb-
iers and burlesquers, in a hodge-podge of
queer things. and Pat Reilly in his latest
song, 'Reiilys Pension supplemented
with his crayon sketch work.
This roster is one of the strongest ever
brought to Washington. and the excel
lent reputation of Pat Reilly for furnish
ing a first-class entertainment ought to
| guarantee for the show a good, big
weeks business.
The times., 1898-11-27
Lnfayestc-P!anche Walsh and Mel
VILE HacDoyen.

With that portion of the theatergoing
community which still retains some ap-
probation for good plays and good act
ing. the announced appearance of Mel
bourne NacDowell and Blanche Walsh in
Fanny Davenport's productions of AN
tony and Cleopatra, la Tosca" and
Fedora" this week at the Lafayette
Square Opera House Is likely to excite
pleasurable anticipation. When Miss
Davenport first produced La Tosca" a
cry of v:rtuous indignation arose from
the press. Its truth was so glaring that
without a dissenting voice the entire
The times., 1898-11-27
Acndemy-.on Land and scn.y


In Thomas II. Davis and William T.
Keogh's new comedy-drama of life on the
blllow, and, so to speak, in the barn. en-
titled "on Land and Sea- the jolly tar
who plows the deep and the steady
toiler VINO plows the soil are brought
into association amid various exciting
and ludicrous situations. both atioat and
ashore. The scope of the plot Is said to
afford opportunity for the consistent in
PRODUCTION of a tremendously realistic
shipwreck scene, in which the master
brush of John II. Young is mentioned as
being splendidiy apparent, and of big
working steam threshing machine. in
which the most infamous of imaginary
scoundrels attempts to put a child, whose
existence is a menace to him. The Incl
dental music of the play is by Dave Bra
ham, fact that speaks most meiodious-
ly for itself.
The times., 1898-11-27
co,umbia-saverry,s Minstre,s.

j. H. Haverly's Acknowledgement
Minstrels will be seen this week at the
Columbia. and 1t seems no exaggeration
to state that the organization comprises
the very best talent in the field of burnt
cork comedy. As Colonel Haverly was
one of the leaders in minstrelsy half a
dozen years ago. so he is this year, and
the same high degree of excellence for
which he was formerly noted is said to
have been attained in his present COM
The times., 1898-11-27

Still there was a great deal of laughter
in the presentation that was not supposed
to be there. People with well developed
senses of the ludicrous should be careful
to avoid comic operas and meiodramas.
This does not include the gallery Geities,
to whom a curtain line marks the en-
trance into a new life. the ;racticalities
and absurdities of which do not apply
to them. There is man in town who
has been arrested three times in the last
year for beating his wife. lie was up
stairs the other night at the Columbia
and made himself conspicuous by his
frantic applause of every word which eX-
pressed the hero's detestation of Scoun-
drels who war on women" Not the
least humorous thing about going to such
a production is in witnessing the appre-
citation of the boys upstairs for scenes In
which virtue is triumphant with a cal
cium effect.
Even the best of war plays are funnler
than farces. OF course there must be in
them a certain amount of nonsense to
feed to the intelligent public. but 1t does
seem as though some of the old time in
cidents might be left out of the efforts
without serious danger of embarrassing
the management. There doesn't appear
to be any reason, for example, why all
the Spaniards in such an Offering must be
wholly and irredeemabiy bad, while every
one of the Cubans and Americans should
be possessed of a sufficient number of
virtues to ruin the Liquor trade.
Nobody doubts nowadays that good
Spaniard might easily start a riot in an
average audience. but then it does seem
that. sometimes one or two of the best o.
them might fall into the hands of mis-
sionaries and be allowed to repent OF
their sins before the final curtain-thus
establishing not only the most ontimi ic
view of human nature but giving prac-
tical Illustration of the workings of the
foreign church system into the bargain.
No one has explained. either. why this
bold villain Is always desperately in love
with the heroine. why she rejects him in
| scorn for the hero. why there must be in