Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-22
AMUSEMENTs.

COLUMBIA THEATER.-Long before
the curtain went up on the production of
THE Idols Eye" at the Columbia Theater
last night the house was sold out, and even
those who are in the habit of going to the
theater at an early hour were forced to
take the standing room that was left. As
a consequence the Columbia held last night
what was in all probability the largest au-
dience in its history, all the available
standing room even being occupied In the
top gallery. Such an suspicious opening
could not but add to the success of any
first night. and it is safe to say that this
feature Of the prodution at the Columbia
last night was also one of the greatest in
it's history. THE Idols Eye is the work
Of Victor Herbert and Harry B. Smith, and
from all indications 1T will prove a most
fitting successor to 1.-The Wizard of the
Nile The music Is exceptionally bright,
and while it is at all times catchy there
are strains of heaviness that denote
higher musical sense than is accorded to
mcst comic operas of this class. Particu-
larly Is this noticeable in the chorus that
takes the form of appeal in the first
act and in the chorus before the idol In
the second act. There are any number OF
catchy songs In the opera that will live long
after 1t has given way to some other work,
although both choruses and feature num-
bers in all parts of the work are of an ex-
ceptionally pleasing sort. Among these
may may be mentioned the parasol song, II
Just Dropped In, Captain Chumley of the
Guards" Fairy Tales 1.-The Tattooed
Man., THE Lucky Coon and half dozen
others, all bristling with bright lines and
effective music.
Frank Daniels has not changed a particle
He Is just as jolly as Abel Conn, the pre-
sumptuouS aeronaut as he was in the part
of the Wizard Of the Nile, while his humor
is just as irresistible as ever. He is natur-
ally comical, and his hGmor has the ap-
DearanC6 DeinR
being the natural outcome CT jolly spirit
an irrepressible cheeky American bal
loonist, who has the nerve to dare and
do anything. The remainder of the cast
Is very satisfactory ALI c. Wheelan, in
the second comedy role of a vagabond
Scotchman. not Only has comical make
up. but has the faculty of getting fun
out Of everything in which he has n
hand. His "Hoot mont is one of the fea-
lures. and its effects on the skirt Of the
travelling balloonist are very funny. Will
Danforth has the next comedy role and is
good both in makeup and in carrying out
the character assigned him, that of a Gu
ban planter. Maurice Darcy is not the best
tenor on the operate stage, but he fulfills
the requirements of his part both to act
ing and to the small amount of singing he
has to do Norma kopp as pretty Nautch
girl Is very fetching in appearance and in
vests her role with no small amount of ma
tive grace and skill, while Helen Redmond,
as the daughter of the Cuban planter, made
an emphatic encore. Claudia Carstedt re-
ceived perhaps the most enthusiastic APP
plause accorded to any Of the female men,
hers of the cast for her exceptionally we'll
sung solo before the idol In the temple The
rest of the cast is filled by competent peo
pie.
The opera is handsomely staged and cos
TUNED and all the accessories are of high
order of excellence. The chorus Is one of
the best that has been heard here in comic
opera. Mr.. Daniels received a quadruple
call at the end of the second act. and
sponded with some fun at the side of the
curtain that served only to add to his
entertaining powers. A special holiday
matinee was given today, and the usual
evening performances will be given for
the remainder of this week with a Satur-
day matinee.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE THEATER.-
One infiiction of THE Girl from Paris upon
a respectable community in a single season
is sufficient, but second offense deserves
a sentence. Stripped of its lewdness, the
play is still a broad and bosterous omedy
humorous but not witty. The so-called
musical features are failures, with one or
two exceptions The principals in the cast
do their work well, laid out for them
but they are worthy of better lines.
1t Is no sense of prudishness which die
tates the criticism upon this play that it
should not be presented at play house
which has reputation for putting on
worthy productions to entertain and amUse
the public. One does not expect such things
at the Lafayette. There are theaters in
the city where the taste for this kind of
entertainment can be gratified. People
Know what they are running into when
they go there. Chances are, however that
nothing broader than the so-called French
quadrille,' as performed last night, was
ever presented at any Of the variety thea
tiers that are under police supervision
Those who go to THE Girl from Paris"
prepared to hear and witness things per
Vaf To hn
If wittily presented, have to take the dose
without the sugar-cOating. One of the re-
oeemlng features Of the performance is
.ne work OF Miss Anna Buckley, as Ruth,
the housemaid. The little woman pos
sesses talent and the audience apprec.at-
ed the simple and wholesome role She
was repeatedly encored in the song of
SISTER Mary James Top Note Miss Geor-
ga came, as Julie Bon-Bon, the gay Par
isienne, Is wicked enough in look and ges-
tire Tor the gayest of Parisiennss The
company includes several comedians de-
serving credit for their faithful interoreta-
tlon or the characters they assume
NATIONAL THEATER.-The reception
given Digby Bell in 1.-The Hoosier Doctor
at the New Natioral last evening demon
strated that a Washington audience has
luil appreciation Of the legitimate comedy
drama, and that artistic work of character
lZation mas an ample field to attract the
puollc without those auxiliaries of stage
and variety effects which have become a
part of so many productions of the day.
The Hoosier Doctor" drew a crowded
house 10 the New National, and burst after
burst of applause was given Mr.. Bell and
ell the members of his company, which has
been organized with the idea that there
should he no weak parts to spoil the effect
OF the whole production The play depicts
the weaknesses of human nature and the
struggles of a hoosier family. in which the
good -natpred father. having failed at every
thing ne had ever undertaken, aspires to a
PHYSICIANS career, in which his kindly ma
ture wins him a success that does not
greatly relieved his financial straits. The
play abounds with those touches Of nature
that always touch sympathetic chords
Digby Bell as DR.. Willow and Mrs Bell
as the exacting mother-in-law, made a
great hit while all members of the COM
pany sustained their parts excellently
During the evening Mr.. Bell appeared be-
fore the curtain and thanked the audience
for the hearty reception given him.
The orchestra gave patriotic airs a prom
fnent part in the program they rendered
and called forth considerable enthusiasm
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-John W. Isham's
famous original "Octoroons" was the attrac-
ton at the Academy Of Music last night