The times., 1898-12-04

That Washington is. after all, practi-
apparent sometimes. and last week mark
ed one of these times. The spectacle of
SO meritorious a combination as was that
headed by Blanche Walsh and Melbourne
MacDowell working to select audiences
OF q hundred or two people could hardly
. be called anything less than shameful.
even when it is considered that
houses began increasing as the en-
gagement drew near an end. There
were, of course, many things here
to hamper the financial success of the
stars, but no one expected that they would
be greeted as they were and no one who
saw the attraction was pleased at the
treatment at first accorded them. The
managers of the attraction may take
comfort, however. in the knowledge that
no one Jared very much better than they.
Even Sol Smith Russell did not bring his
usual crowds to the National where he
presented Charles Kleins hasu.ly-manu
factured comedy, Hon. John Gfigsby-"
To be sure. Manager Rap,eys playhouse
held spectator for every chair it contain
ed on most of the evenings signaiized by
Mr.. Russelrs appearance but the num-
Der of those who attend the actors per-
formances is generally so much in excess
OF the seating capacity of the house in
which he is seen that the standing
room only" sign was sadly missed. Hay
erly's Minstrels, an attraction that may
have been all right as reminder of the
old days but that was wretchedly tire
some for the new, held the Columbia 5
stage without evincing exceptional draw
ing powers. The Walsh-MacDowell duo
was on view at the Lafayette with the re-
suits noted above. ION Land and Sea-
a melodrama that appeared to please the
peculiar class of people that saw it, kept
Treasurer Selhausen partially busy at
the Academy. The show was the wo. st
that has been seen here since the last
preceding Davis and keogh invasion At
the Lyceum. an aggregation of superior
vaudeville talent appeared under the cog
nomen of Reilly and Woods Big Show
and attracted large houses, while Sec
ond bill of the same sort enabled Man
ager Grieves to announce that he was
quite satisfied with the way things the
atrical looked from the steps of the Bijou.
Grand opera, classic drama, spectacular
and variety promise plenty Of ''the spice
of hfe' for the present week. Nine. Mod
jeska comes to the National with a reper-
toire of her past and future successes.
giving ''Magda" on Monday night, Mary
Stuart" on Tuesday and at the Saturday
matinee, Antony and Cleopatra" on
Wednesday. Camille" on Thursday. "As
You Like It. on Friday and Macbeth
on Saturday. That the critics may be in
a becomingly good humor for Christmas
time, another varied bill will be offered
at the Lafayette Square Opera. House
where the Royal Italian Opera Company
will be heard in "Cavalleria Rusticana'
and two acts from Lucia di Lammcr-
moor on Monday, III Travatore'' or
Tuesday and Friday. Faust on Wednes.
day and Saturday, 'Cavalleria Rustica
ma" and "PPagliaccf' on Thursday, ant
Lucia di Lammermoor" at the Saturday
matinee. The Liliputians'' are to produc'
their Gothamistic success, THE Colder
Horseshoe" within the portals of the Co
lumbia and the Rays are bringing -
Hot Old Time to the Academy. The Ir,
win Brothers Burlesquers are the attrac
ton at Kernan's and a vaudeville com
bine will hold the stage at the Bijou.