Evening star., 1898-05-17
ADJUSTMENTS,

ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-The Academy
Of Music was a center Of dramatic interest
last night. To Mr.. James Young belongs
the distinction of having offered Washing
ton theater-goers the first week of classic
drama they have had In some little time.
'"The Lady Of Lyons" with all its artifi-
ciality Of sentiment and stilted diction,
must always rank as a poetic masterpiece.
1t is one of the plays to which actors turn
with confidence when modern sources of
material disappoint, and the public has the
assurance that the mere recitation of its
lines Will be worth listening to. There was
a large audience in attendance last night,
and the applause was frequent and hearty.
The first appearance of the star Is calcu-
lated to strongly prepossess the spectator
In his favor. He is handsome youth of
fine figure and prepossessing manners. His
claude Melnotte Is not study character
forth from every line in the young mans
countenance, and 1t cannot be doubted that
in one so evidently youthful the sensitive
ness SO essential to an appreciation of his
art may betray him into self-consciousness.
His attitudes are graceful but not perfect
IN repose; his declamations intelligent in
the placing OF emphasis, but restrained in
their emotional force. He is to be applaud
ed Tor a cautious tendency to do too little
rather than too much. If he develops no
astonishing power he commits no unpar-
donable errors. His natural gifts are so
exceptional as to make his career well
worth watching, and there is no doubt that
ne won many friends by his performance
last night. Curtain calls Were numerous,
and the attention given him was close and
unfiagging.
successor to the eminent tragedians of the
preceding generation would be to announce
miracle But to predict that he will oc-
cupy lofty place when the annals Of the
g ta II,
tirely within the limits of probability His
ideals are too high to be realized in a few
seasons. and the capabilities demanded for
their Interpretation too great to be devel-
oped at a bound. Vigor and spontaneity
can only assert themselves with safety
when the actor is a full master of the
technique of his profession. The earnest
ness, ambition and intelligence displayed
IN last nights performance gave assurance
that the other works in his repertoire for
the week will be invested with exceptional
grace of personality as to the principal
roles, and presented with discretion. Miss
Rida johnson played Pauline in a manner
which in no wise detracted from the ef-
fecuveness of the love scenes. Mr.. Young
ana his company are to be welcomed and
encouraged for their efforts in a dramatic
held where conscientious endeavors are all
tCO Scant
THE LYCEUM THEATER-The Fay
Foster Burlesque Company is one of the
the vaudeville circuit. For years it has
been recognized as a stellar attraction and
this year is no exception. There Is first
rate oiio and a laughable burlesque. The
feature OF the performance, however, is
the remarkable acrobatic contribution of
the Couture Brothers. All of the difficult
acrobatic feats were performed with an
ease and grace that stamped them as mas
ters Of the art. But it was in the difficult
head stands and head springs that they
particularly eXcelled. When it is consid
cred that the smallest fraction of an inch
either way in the running head spring
would break their neckS, the difficulties of
the act are appreciated. Mile Chenette on
the high trapeZe initiates Charmon in the
disrobng act. Stanley Whiting, assisted
by a colored songster of no mean ability,
was handsomely received. The burlesque
which closes the show was laughable.
BIJOU THEATER-There is good va
riety performance at the Bijou this week,
and large audiences greeted both perform
ances yesterday. Gertrude Rutledge, So
pIano of good rank, is a leading feature,
and the selections she presents are all high
class. Then there are John I. Tierney, the
well-known comedian; the Dunbar Sisters.
the Maginleys and others. The Bijou stock
company opened and closed the entertain
ment, which is one Of the best the Bijou
has had for some time.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.-The Grand
Opera House was crowded last night, when
Black Patti and her troubadours gave
laughter-provoking entertainment that con-
tanned many musical features of high ex-
cellence. The program was opened with the
uproarious musical skit entitled "At Jolly
Coon-ey Island,' in which Ernest Hogan
provoked much merriment as Jim Jollies.
Many songs were introduced In the bur-
lesque, and they We're well executed and
called forth immense applause from the au-
dience. Black Patti (Mme. Sissieretta
Jones) received an ovation when she sang
the grand aria in Ardit's "Enchantress."
She responded in several encores. Her
rendition of "Suwanee River was espe-
cial1y meritorious. The cake walk called
forth much merriment, the applause of the
audience deciding the winners of the big
cake displayed on the stage. Ernest Hogan
gave an exhibition of his powers, and as an
actor, dancer and singer he showed great
cleverness, receiving encore after encore.
The program concluded with an operate
kaleidoscope, when rendtions of selections
from well-known composers were given,
ending with the singing of national airs
The picture Of Admiral Dewey was dis
played amid tumultuous applause. The en-
tertainment is bound to be a great success
and to continue to draw crowded houses.