The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-26
COMING TO THE THEATERS.

The Lafayette Square Opera House
will on Monday night next present an
attraction of unusual interest in a dram
atization of Ian Maclaren's three books.
entitled Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush"
The fact that the play has never before
been presented on any stage will lend
considerable interest TO the production,
while the admiration inspired by the IT,
tie work in book form will induce many
to attend the performance. There has
probably never been a book written with
the heart interest held by Maclaren's
beautiful Scotch sketches. their wonder
full suggestion achieving what badness
could never have done. The atmosphere
and incident that has made them so
charming is said to have been retained
in the play, while a plot culled partly
from his other works and partly manu-
featured by the dramatizers will add
color to the drama itself
il Is claimed that the production given
the piece will be superior in every way.
J. II. Stoadart the veteran actor. who
WAS seen here last in Wilton Lackaye's
presentation of ''Dr. Belgraff." will have
the leading role and Miss Marie Bur-
roughs Is to have the opposite part.
They viii be supported 10y what is claim
ed TO be large and efficient company
Scenery has been painted and music
written especially for the production.
A very considerable portion of the jul
dicious playgoers of Washington will
be interested ia and ,,ratifled at the an
nouncement that Americas most con-
spicuous author-actor. Mr.. William Gill
lette, managed by Mr. Charles Frohman.
Will have all next week at the New Ma
tional Theater including a Saturday
matinee. 1t is not so long since Mr..
Gillette made a profound impression here
with his exceedingly strong and intense
piece Of dramatic writing. Secret Serv-
ice. He Is coming this time as the
central fgure in an old favorite. TOO
Much Johnson" Its revival with Mr.
Gillette in the cast possesses several
phases Of present significance two of
which are quite prominent-tha- Wash
ington viii he the only American city 10
see il. and that its next stand will be
big London town. where il will be pre-
scented in the famous Garrick Theater by
the very same east of comedians To be
seen at the National
The confidence MeSsrS Frohman and
Gillette have in the results of this forth
coming English engagement is best
shown 10y the fact that the author-actor
retires tonight from the cast of "Se-
cret Service at the very zenith of its
artistic trlumphs and its money-making
possibilities. Many members of the orig
MAJ cast viii support Mr. Gillette both
here and in London. while the new faces
VIII he new only i'm this setting. Miss
ida Conquest. Of the Empire Theaser
company. has been specially assigned by
Mr. Frohman as Mr.. Gillette's leading
lady while Kate Meek Will play her orig
MAJ part and HOPE Ross will be the
DAINTY feminine youngster Of the com
edy. Sam Reed win present the guile
less old Canadian. and Arnold DAILY is to
be ms prospective son-in-law. while Jo-
seph Brennan will enact the belligerent
ana much-deCeiVed johnson" In A
word. the cast is said to be as near per
lection as good management can make
II 1t viii be an eventful week for
Washington, and those who se,. the per
Iormance here Will no doubt be deeply
interested IN learning how far their YER
DICT has been approved in the English
capital