Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-25
ADJUSTMENTS.



As q playwright Mr.. Charles Hoyt Is
very much like some bad children. He
does things which are manifestly wrong,
against which he has repeatedly been
warned and for which there Is ne justifi-
cation, and escapes the wrath which gath
ers over him because at the critical instant
when a solemn rebuke ought to mature,
he makes people laugh. "A Stranger in
New York. awakened hilarity to the echo
at Lafayette Square Opera House last
night. If a laugh is to be the sole test Of
success, regardless of how it is secured.
the piece must be hailed as a distinct tri-
umph. The fact that coarseness is as
powerful to provoke mirth as genuine hui
NOR has tempted many people to abandon
legitimate effort and meet the public on
that Mr.. Hoyt, clever and resourceful as
he is, has indolently yielded. He does not
afect much consideration for the dramatic
unities. But there is one rule which seems
as immutable and effective as that which
Hoyle laid down. Mr.. Hoyt's maxim is,
When in doubt, take a drink" The
translucent cocktail figures continuously,
and no device could convince the audience
that the beverages so lavishly consumed
are real No company, not even an as
sorted company of Kentucky colonies,
could take so many drinks and last
through the. entire play. In story the
piece is a close reminder of "A Trip to
Chinatown" But 1T introduces striking
characters, offers some witticisms that are
not old and some melodies that are not
tiresome, and above all brings some clever
entertainers before the public in a way
that does not permit them to weary the
audience with self-assertion. The story of
GRAFTON of mistaken identities and q trip
to the French ball. 1t may be risque even
vulgar, but it is unquestionably comic.
Harry Conor plays the title role, and is
w ing T1nn til
his manner is irresistible George A.
Beane gives good character impersona-
ton, and so does Mr.. Harry Gilfoil, who
is a Washington man. Mr. William F,
quits himself creditably in the role of a
detective. OF the ladies Of the company it
suffices to say that they bestow comeli-
ness of appearance, agility of limb and a
fair degree Of vocal ability.
NEW NATIONAL Charles
Frohman's name attached to a production
is usually guarantee that it is a good
thing; that the play itself has merit, that
the cast is competent and that the staging
is all that could be desired. Never
Again., which was presented at the New
National Theater last night. for the first
time in this city. came with the Frohman
stamp and also with a record of success
full New York run. The piece reminds one
very forcibly of the Gay Parisians," but
it is not SO well constructed. 1t is decided
ly Frenchy, both in motive and develop
ment. and 1t may be said to the credit of
the American actors who present it that
1t is also Frenchy in action, for they enter
into the spirit of 1t ant. quite Undue it with
that Gallo chic which Is supposed to ex-
ist nowhere save in the character of the
French manner born. The story, as is
usual with plays of French extraction, is
principally visible admixture of domestic
relations, and the husband of one woman
and the wife of another man furnish the
ground work on which a lot of fun in situa-
ton, incident and dialogue is founded. Mr..
George Marion is the Katzenjammer,
musician Of note who has a frisky wife,
and who is. by the way, first-class imita-
ton of a Herr Professor-so good, in fact,
he could scarcely be improved. .Mr. E. Nj.
Holland is NJ. Ribot. frisky old husband.
who is funny, and his wife is Miss Maggie
Holloway Fisher, who is type of the
traditional mother-in-law. Miss Grace
Kimball as the frisky wife of Katzenjam-
mer does some work in that line which is
most difficult, but it Is done most skilfully.
and yet it seems a shame that she should
waste her real abilities In such part. An
odd character, and one to be remembered.
is the Nine. Saville, a schoolmistress, as
done by Miss Anita Rothe. Miss Derrick
son and Mr.. Hugo Toland, as the young
married couple. were greatly devoted, and
the kiss of Miss Derickson may be said
to be work Of art as well as nature.
Charles Eldridge. as the janitor. al
ways equal to it. The house was COM
fortably filled and the play was received
with good deal of laughter and applause.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-Mlle Rhea has
been warmly welcomed many times in the
past by Washington theater goers. and
the regard which Is still entertained for
her enabled an audience at the Columbia
Theater last right to overlook some crudi-
ties in her new play, "The Empress Of
France" and condone the shortcomings of
an inadequate support Mile. Rhea is best
remembered by her work in Josephine de-
plotting the tragedy in the life of the en-
press Of the French, the wife of Napoleon
In the new play she takes the role of
Josephine, with slight changes in the Incl
dents. The Empress of France has not
gained strength in its adaptation from
Josephine Mile. Rhea Is the same Rhea
who established herself firmly in the affec-
tons of Westinghouse some years ago.
She has lost none Of her charm of per
son nor her ability to sway the emotions
and awaken the sentiment of her audi
ences. She manifests a notable power of
pathos suitable to the role she takes in the
historical character of Josephine. No one
on the stage in recent years has approach
cd Mile Rhea in adaptablity to this char
acter. Her leading man, William Harris
who takes the role of Napoleon Bonaparte
has played the part to Washington audi
ences In the past and is well known here
he sustained his record last night, and, II
anything, showed Improvement in his work
In this line. Mr.. Frederick Vroom made
an effective Prince de Taleyrand. The
Empress OF France will be played this
"Sen' Will the exception of Thursday
matinee when Camille" will be presented
with Mile. Rhea in the title role.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.-The Grand
Opera House had a winner last night IN
me Man-o'-War's Man." the popular place
OF amusement being crowded both below
ana above stairs by an audience composed
OF senator's, representatives, members of
the diplomatic corps and MANY others
prominent In the social ranks of WASH
lngton. The audience was in such a frame
OF mind that it was the easiest thing pos
siple Tor the actors on the stage to play
up 10 II, and as a result 1.-The Man-o'-Wars
Man was given with dash and swing
tnat resulted in almost continuous an
plause and enthusiasm. Mr. Thomas 3.
Shea Is the star Of the company. assum-
ing the part of a naval officer, Jack Con-
way, who, of course, is the personiflcation
OF a true American boy, and through the
medium OF patriotic speeches and earnest
love making, carried the audience with
him whenever he appeared on the stage.
Mr. Shea has pleasing presence and a
fine. full voice. the two blending into a
character part that scored a pronounced
success from the very beginning. The
supporting company was good throughout,
Miss Louise Brooks, as the heroine. look
Ing and acting the role with true artistic