The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-05-01

''Esster breaks the back Of the thea
frical season" This year it has run, as
usual, nearly a month over that period
but finally has succumbed To the prospect
Of hot weather. the influence of our war
Tcare, and the dozen and one other things
rlat begin TO be felt about this time. As
a result. shows that have held out long
est are closing quickest, and big combina-
tons are quitting the road in such short
order that within TWO weeks there will
not be twenty 1irst-class companies en-
tour. So many have already withdrawn
from the field that worthy entertain
taents are becoming exceedingly scarce.
There was not really good performance
given in town last week and the thea
tiers suffered accordingly. Never during
the year has the average of business
teen so low and so well deserved.
The biggest houses OF the last six days
we're al the National Theater. where
Willie Collier brought 10 light the much
talked Of but decidedly disappointing
Man From Mexico" The Mckee Rankin
an star" company presented for the
zrst time en- any stage A drama ization
l.owrie's' and succeeded in pleasing
rather small audiences. The Columbia
Remained dark and wisely, for the two
Remaining IheaterS had attractions that
only succeeded in drawing al all by a
clever confidence game. "Cuba's Vow"
which was seen a. The Grand, is about
The worst example Of a bad play poorly
played one could wish TO have brought
90 mis- attention, and another homiciial
organization presented Uncle Tom
Cabin Al the Academy, to houses 50
small that one could not help wondering
81 all the passes had come in. Weber
Partisan Widows did well at Herman
and a good vaudeville bin pleased the
patrons Of the Bijou.
Properly. speaking this week will be
the last Of the season in Washington.
The rapid closing here appears TO be a
wise move and there is little doubt that
the few theaters that prolong their sea
son VIII suffer. Only five houses remain
open this week and next the competition
viii be reduced by the closing
Of one second-class house. OF the
three high-priced theaters that wiH then
remain open. one will play an engage
ment Of TWO nights and the two others Of
SIX before taking a recess in order 10 pre-
pare for summer stock companies. The
second Of the popular priced houses viii
remain open until June ard the two
nearly month more. For some reason
o. other the policy OF both the latter has
always been 70 play 10 small audiences
rs long as they viii come.
Tomorrow night Wilton Lackaye Will
present d new play at the LAFAYETTE
Square Opera House. ia the shape Of q
dramatzation Of Charles Levers
Charles O'Malley." and John Drew Will
begin q return booking at the New Ma
"a
Day" An amateur minstrel show will
hold the boards Of the Columbia for
one night, after which the house viii
be dark. Agnes Wallace Villa BRING
'Jhe World Against Her TO the Acade-
my. while . convention Of women have
fGu sway al the Grand Mime Anis
M0narchs' come 10 Kernan's. and should
do well. despite the reigning prejudice
sgaiust rulers Of that description. while
another strong vaudeville bill holds the
Bijou- The combinations do not aver
age weil. and additional factors Of com
petition. iH The shape Of the Horse Show
the presence Of one circus. and the APP
preach Of another viii demolish any nope
30 l..--E business lett open by the war
and the numerous private affairs that
come up at this time Of year The out
look has been gloomy since the opening
Of the Masonic Fair, and this week il is
positively distressing
The fun plans Of the different houses
have not az yet been completed. Frank
Daniels viii close the regular season Of
the Columbia next week, playing re-
turn Date with THE Idols Eye" On
May 3, the house will reopen with sum
mer comedy company, which viii remain
indefinitely. The Lafayette viii have
nothing after the present week except
ing grand spectacular musical affair In
which SoUsa's Band has leading part
and which VIII occupy the nights Of May
j and y. The Castle Square Opera Com
pany is likely 10 return later and again
take mp IT'S abode at The scene Of its first
Washington success. The National will
have no good attractions after the
Drew engagement. save for a few
ktraEglng organizations such as
the Lambs Club Ministries. book
cd for one or TWO evenings. After the
Villa week the Academy viii be dark all
Sommer. viii the Grand after its
closing IN June. Both the Bijou and Ker-
mans viii be kept running as long as
they can pay expenses. Altogether the
season has held bravely up against great
GODS FOR the usual length of time. but Is
ending suddenly now that the moment
has arrived The door step news Of the
war and The TWO supplementary organi-
cations named viii soon be an the amuse-
mcut left 10 Washington