Evening star., 1898-09-17

mer. The Mordaunt & Block combination
is today conceded to be easily the head and
front of perfection in the stock system of
play presentation in the country. Few dra-
matte ensembles may boast of its possess
sions of individual excellence. Frank Nor
daunt, its chief leader, ts too well known
as an actor Of rugged emotional roles to
require comment; Mary Shaw is the only
actress of contemporaneous interest who
has been likened to Mary Anderson; Edgar
L. Davenport is fast climbing the ladder
of fame sustained by his father; Alberta
Gallatfn's dramatic qualities are bywords
in Washington, and Frank E. Aiken, Will
liam G. Beach, Violet Rand, Una Abell
Kate Denim Wilson, VIM. Heisman, R.
Sutherland, Theodore Devere, Mortimer
W eldon and Donald G. Bowles are we'll
known associates. William Seymour, the
famous stage director of the Boston
Museum Stock Company, is the dramatic
mentor for the Mordaunt Block Com
pany. Pretty nearly every one familiar with
standard dramas is acquainted with the
movement of Diplomacy" The cast is as
follows: Henry Beauclerc E. l.. Davenport;
Julian Beauclerc, VIM. G. Beaci.. Count
Orloff, Frank E. Aiken; Baron Stein. Frank
Mordaunt; Algie Fairfax, Donald G. Bowles;
Markham. Theodore Devere: Antoine, VIM
Heisman; -Mr. Shepard, r. Sutherland;
Clerk. Mortimer Weldon: Countess Zicka,
Mary Shaw; Marquise de Rio Zares, Kate
Denim Wilson: Dora her daughter, Una
Abel; Lady Henry Fairfax, Alberta Gal
latin; 4...on, Violet Rand
NATIONAL TTEATER-An engagement
which has been looked forward to with
considerable anticipation and pleasure is
the appearance in this city on Monday
evening at the National Theater of the
Rogers brothers in John ]. McNally's latest
and what is credited with being his great
est success. entitled "A Reign of Error"
The organization is under the direction of
Messrs. klaw & Erlanger, which is almost
sufficient assurance for its merit. The COM
p&ny, which is a large one, includes some
OF the best known comedians and come
dlenneS on the stage. The advance sale of
seats has proved gratifying and every indi-
cation points toward large and enthusiastic
audiences. In his latest effort Mr.. McNally
has been ambitious to make a distinct de-
parture from any of his earlier successes.
1t is not on the cut-and-dried farce comedy
order, but saVors more on the lines of
French vaudeville. The story of the piece
is said to be excruciatingly funny, and
While in no manner dependent on specalties
to complete the evenings entertainment, is
replete with bright sayings and doings of
lhe versatile people that are included in the
organization In the action of the farce
there are some wonderful opportunities Of
Tered such clever comedians the Rogers
brothers for demonstrating their wonderful
versatility. Others in the company are Geor-
gla Caine, Geo. F. Marion, Maude Raymond
Ada Lewis. Georgia Lawrence Budd Ross
La Petite Adelaide and Edith St Clair
Ihere Will be an ensemble of over thirty
voices that have been selected with the
being under the stage direction of Mr. Ben
Teal.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-There will be fun
next week at the Academy of Music, when
the Dewey of comedy, Edward Girard
viii appear in his up-to-date revival of
Donnelly & Girard's Natural Cas- assist
ed by an excellent company of comedians
singers. dancers and pretty girls. Natural
Gas Is the funniest and best comedy pro
duced In years 1t is overhowing with
specialties. and combines all the latest
musical successes. All the artists have
been engaged with a view to adaptability
In the respective roles of the play Every
thing has been created TO please the ear
and eye, nothing coarse or rude is embOd-
led in 1t; only that which Is good, clean
wholesome fun, and plenty of it. Mr. Cir
ard has surrounded himself with a good
company, among whom are Edward Garvie,
who for the past four years has been one
Of Hoyt & McKces principal comedians,
and last year made a decided hit as Hot
Stuff in a BLACK Sheep" Miss Amy Ames
without a doubt is the greatest Irish char
acter woman the stage has ever known;
Molie Thompson, who for the past five
years has been the rage in vaudeville, both
in Europe and America, will present Of
her specialties. Frank O'Brien the jolly
acrobatic comedian; Gus Hennessy, John
Connolly, John Leffler Jessie Gardner
Nina BeTtOlini, Nellie Ciilchrist, Alice Black
and Marcy Thompson are the rest of the
all-star cast. These favorites will find well
come with the patrons of the popular
Academy when they appear here next week.
KERNAN's LYCEUM THEATER.-John
w. lsham'S OctoroOns, which will open at
kernan's Lyceum next Monday matinee is
one of the cOlOred attractions that has left
an impression here, and organization
which, under his constant personal direc-
ton, can hardly have lost its novelty. The
Octoroon Company, on its original or in
tial tour with it's high-class sable vocal
lists, its trained chorus and its program of
difficult operate selections, a genuine
revelation. and opened up field for the
negro artist in which Mr.. Isham has had
a number of imtators, but no successful
rivals. Mr.. Ishams organization is modern
in every sense Of the word. Every artist
is up to date, and the best efforts of sable
talent are encouraged. This season Mr..
Isham will introduce his company in a
lively musical farce, entitled "A TenderlOin
Coon" by James Horan. 1t is a picture,
not of the cotton field nor the plantation,
but of life in the metropolis, where the
dusky damsel, with her dazzling charm,
and the sable sport, with his comical con-
ceits, the chief actors. Miss Belle
Davis. acknowledged to be the hand
soonest and most gifted octoroon on the
American stage, is among the favorites and
promises a number of negro love melodies
In which she has recently achieved sue
cess. Smart and Williams are popular fun
makers, and will be assisted by Stella
Wiley, a Well-knoWn and pretty octoroon,
who improves every season. Among 9TH
erS who are sure to prove entertaining are
Rastus and Banks, Winn and Douglass
the Brittons, Sheppard and Edmonds. Mae
Wells and Florence Ellsworth. The CORPS
of pretty octoroon girls will disport them
selves in graceful diversions and other
wise display their charms.
B1JOU THEATIR.-At the Bjou next
week the talent will be headed by the in
imitable mimic and story teller, Frank
Bush This will be Mr.. Bush's first season
in vaudeville in three years. AS q teller of
funny stories Mr.. Bush has no equal on the
stage, and his mimicrieS are of the most
ludicrous character Lizzie b. Raymond
who is admittedly the best exponent of
recherche songs on the American stage
is also booked, and she has not appeared in
this city for several years. Chas. E. Crap
win, assisted by Anna Chance, will give the
comical sketch entitled ~ Job of Kelley"
Mr.. Grapwin's pantomimic juggling intro
duced In the act is great rovelty. Anna
Chances rich contralto contributes mucn
to the enjoyment Of the clever skit. The
Brilliant Quartet, in their own peculiar
novelty, entitled ''Tommy's Uncle's Cabin"
giVa unique combination of singing and
good comedy Miss Nina Collins has been
engaged to appear at this theater also; she
leaves the Eel Captain Opera Company to-
night and opens for an indefinite time at
the Bijou. She possesses a beautiful So