The evening times., 1898-09-22
THINGS THEATRICAL.

striking instance Of the care exer-
cised in the selection of the company
which will support Viola Allen in The
Christian" Monday at the National The
was the choosing of Carrie Merrill
| ees, Edith Merrilees and Bessie Dunn,
10 play BETTE, NeUU1e ena r4ttia the
three graces of the Colosseum. These
characters are English music hall sing
ers, contemporaries on the bill with Glo-
ry Quayle That realistic atmosphere"
might be impaired to the trio the man
agement was led 10 engage for the
parts experienced variety artists, pos
sessed not only OF dramatic talent, but
the chic and dash which comes only from
vaudeville environment.
The Misses Merilees are two of the
three welI-known Merilees Sisters. They
made their debut on the stage in Bor-
deaux, France in November, 1870, at the
ages of eight and six years Since then
they have sung. danced and acted with
unvarying success. For six years they
played in Paris, in the Divan Japonais,
Concert Parisien. Folies Bergeres, Cirque
De Hiver. L L'Horloge Moulin Rouge, Jar
din de Paris and Montague Russo. The
remaining seven seasons, before their
first visit to America, were spent in the
principal music halls of the large cities
of France. Germany, Holland, Belgium,
Norway. Sweden, Poland, Finland and
Russia IN 1893 they were brought from
London by Evans and Hoey for "A Par
lor Match During the season of 1891
and 80 they played with these gentle
men in THE Flames" The year follow
ing they filled a long engagement in New
York at Roster & Balls, and subse-
quently appeared as special attractions
| on Keiths. Proctor's and Hopkins cir
| cults Miss Bessie Dunn is a singer who
has played long dates in all of the prin-
| cipal music halls of England and Amer
| lea. Such great care in casting piece
as has been shown in producing THE
Christian" is rarely observed. either in
this country or abroad.
Creston Clarke and Adelaide Prince are
to be seen next week at the Columbia in
a repertoire of their best-known success
es. These will be given with what is said
to be an excellent company and all the
scenery and properties usual in such
cases. The list of pieces presented will
include THE Fools Revenge THE Last
of His Race" and other standard works.
E. H. Sothern's former vehicle, IAN
Enemy to the King" the first success of
| R. n. Stephens. will be seen next week at
| the Academy of Music in the hands of a
reputable organization, headed by John
Griffith, the well-known romantic actor.
Seats were put on sale this morning and
the results justify expectations of a
| profitable engagement.
The first act of "A Female Drummer
| Charles E. Blaney's latest comedy, takes
| place in the counting room of a large
| New York store, the second in the retail
| department The third, which is said to
| give exceptional opportunity for spec
| tacular effect, represents a sales-ladies'
| fancy dress ball. The play, while full of
| situations, is mentioned as being more of
| comedy than farce, and is perhaps
| the best thing Mr.. Blaney has ever writ
| ten. He has spared no expense in the
| production and besides a company of
| thirty-five people, has given it a most
| pretentious stage-setting. The company
roster bears such popular names as those
| of Johnstone Bennett, George Richards,
Eugene Garfield, and Willis P. Sweat
man, all of them stars in their particular
lines.
| Among Yeddish comedians none is bet
| ter known on the burlesque stage than
| W. B. Watson, of Bryant and Watson S
American Beauties" next weeks attrac-
| tion at kernans Lyceum Theater. Mr..
Watson is still in demand in connection
with Jeanette Dupree, who has long
| acted foil to his humor, but in re-
| cent seasons is said to have proven him
self capable of greater work, and his Jew
| characterizations may be well remember
! ed. In the present production he as
sumes the roll of Rasher, Hebrew gen.
| eral, from whose ignorance are evolv-
| ed many ludicrous complications and
| absurd situations. He is supported by a
| company of exceptional ability. In its
| roster appear the names of such people
as Jeanette Dupree, Perry and Burns
| Leslie and Curdy, the Monroe Sisters
| the Rumins, and Mildred Murray.