Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-12
ADJUSTMENTS.

sQUsA's BAND CoNcERT.-1t has often
been said that denonstrative patriotism
does not exist In this city: that because of
its cosmopolitan characteristics the ardent
love of country that calls forth paroxysms
was never evident at a public gathering.
Could the author Of that remark have been
present at the Lafayette Square Opera
House last night he would speedily have
changed his opinion. There has never been
patriotic demonstration in this city, GER
tainly at any local theater, that has equal
ed In intensity Of feeling that which took
place at that play house last night upon
the appearance of Sousa and his peerless
band in his original spectacle THE Troop
ing of the Colors." When the curtain rose
disclosing the band and chorus, and a few
minutes later. when the popular bandmas-
ter entered, there was an outburst of popu-
lar approval that shook the theater, and
this continued through to the end of the
long program. Some numbers, of course,
excited more enthusiasm than others, but
In the main the evening one long con-
tinued patriotic demonstration.
Inc audience that was present was not
only large enough to fill every seat in the
theater even to the last row in the top
most gallery, ard occupy about all of the
available standing room on both the lower
and second floors, but it was made up of
representatives of official, social, diplomat
lc and business life at the capitalism audi
ence entirely characteristic of Washington
at its best. And each one present seemed
to vie with his or her neighbor in the show
or enthusiasm, many pairs of gloves ire
trievably ruined and many fans broken be-
yond repair testifying to the intensity of
their feelings. In addition to the generally
brilliant audience present the theater was
lavlshly drdped with flags and bunting,
"Old Glory holding the place of honor at
every conceivable point The decorative
scheme was extremely well worked out and
a sight of the interior of the theater alone
was enough to inspire the beholder The
British flag also occupied a prominent
place in the decorations.
The first part of the program was given
up to the regular Sousa program, the regu-
lar numbers being followed in some cases
by double and triple encores. in which
Seusas marches, of course, figured most
prominently. Some of the best numbers in
iris part were the "Tannhauser" overture
Sousa's Three Quotations and his SYM
phonic poem Ben Hur.'
The band, as usual, displayed its sterling
qualities as one of the foremost musical
organizations of the kind in the world and
ed the numbers selected with that rare pre-
cision and skill that has made it famous
Two soloists, Mr.. Arthur Pryor, trombon-
list, and Miss Louise Brehany soprano.
found favor Mr.. Pryor was obliged to re-
spond to an encore to his number, while
MISS Brehany. although not possessing a
voice of unusual qualities, and, in fact,
rather slight with regard for the size of
the theater, pleased her hearers.
The Trooping of the Colors" made up
the second part of the program and served
to incite even more rabd enthusiasm than
was manifested in the first part. 1t con-
sisted of the national airs of the various
powers. sung by n chorus, assisted by the
band, while a body of soldiers represent
ing the country under discussion marched
upon the stage, headed by flag bearer.
In this way an extremely effective picture
was made up, in which, 1t is needless to
state, the yellow country of the peninsula
with its still more yellow flag, was not rep
resented. When all the squads had been
assembled band was heard in the far dis
lance playing Dixie" coming nearer and
nearer until it merged into Marching
Through Georgia" Then It was that the
audience rose en- masse, and for moment
the EFFORTS of the orchestra and singers
were drowned completely. Then things
quieted for a moment, when the strains of
Sousa's inspiring STARS and Stripes For
ever, with three women, each one waving
an immense American flag at the front of
the stage, brought on another outburst.
Finally the march changed into The Star
Spangled Ranner,' and all previous efforts
OF the audience to show its enthusiasm
We're distanced in a moment. The chorus
sang with all its might, and the band play-
ed its best, adding more and more power in
the brasses and drums at every beat, but
not sound could be heard at a distance of
twenty feet from the stage. The audience
forgot everything but It's desire to DO honor
to the flag, and the scene that ensued for
a few minutes completely defies descrip-
ton, the air being played three times. The
spectacle will be repeated tonight with an
entire change of program.
"a BACHELORS HONEYMOON."-"A
Bachelors Honeymoon" which will be seen
at the Columbia Theater, beginning next
Wednesday evening, for four nights is de-
scribed as one of the most rollicking and
funny farces which has been produced this
season. 1t IS one Of Hoyt's Theater's latest
successes. and in its run in New York it is
accredited with pleasing the most faStidous
and dyspeptic critics. 1t IS written by John
StaDleton q man who is known in dramatic
work more as produced than author,
hut in this, his first attempt a play writ
ing, he has scored great success. Its lines
are said to be brilliant; its situations are of
the screamingly laughing order and it's eli
makes are naturally and effectively brought
out In addition TO the merit of the play,
attention must be called to the exc ellently
strong cast which is presenting 1t. 1t is sell
dom that a farce-comedy receives its devel-
opnent at the hands of legitimate actors,
but in "a Bachalor Honeymoon" the eX-
ception proves to be the rule for every one
connected with it has made his or her name
IN legitimate work. The members of the
cast will include George +. Nash, the excel
lent leading man, whose work with Olga
Nethersole, Jefferson, Florence and other
stars Will be remembered; John L. SULLIVAN,
another well-known leading man; Robsrt
Payton Gibbs. who was the original Gecko
in '"Trilby;" Horaca Thrum, an eccentric
comedian; Vella Mcleod, whose work in
MY Friend from India brought her into
prominence; Mia Sykes, associated with
Augustn DAILY for some years and only
daughter of the late General Sykes, U.S.A.;
Virginia Jackson, the original Cinders in
Lost Paradise" and an excellent actress
in "slavey" parts; Miss Phyllis Achcom.
who was for some years associated with
Frederic Ward; Miss June Schofield and
others.