Evening star., 1898-09-20
ANU SEMENTS.

Opera House for the current season oc-
CURED simultaneously. The piece has one
conspicuous advantage over most musical
farces in that a legitimate foundation is
provided for the absurdties which occur.
The situations are logically developed and
are inherently comic. The coStuming and
stage pictures are calculated to delight the
eye and when allowances are made for the
difficulties which surround first perform
ance, there is still reason to compliment
the smOothness and vivacity with which the
performance proceeded. The company is
admirable one. Perhaps the best known of
the players in Washington is Miss Marie
Dressler. She impressed her personality On
the occasion rather less bOuntifully than is
her custom, but she was largely in evidence
Notwithstanding. Her bounding, break-neck
methods are tinged here and there with
tenGencleS to the legitimate emotional dra-
ma. But they fit well into the spirit of
burlesque which expands itself genally
over the stage when she appears, and her
magnetism is irresistible it is unquench-
able. The chief funmaker is Eddie Foy He
Is a genius in his way. Edwin Booth was
scarcely more a master of tragic art than
EDWIN Foy is master of the Humpty-dump
ty drama. He acknowledges few obligations
to his author; if he cannot be funny by his
vocal utterances, he can excite merriment
py throwing leg or an arm slightly out of
plumb and strutting innocently across the
stage And in this piece he has part with
which his personality entirely harmonzes.
Ihere is not the sense of disproportion
which methods of this character often Gre
ate. Another prominent person is Mr. Au-
prey Boucicault. Ordinarily the musical
farce young person who is in love is pain
fully ordinary. Mr.. Boucicault throws en-
thusiasm and individuality into his work
He is a graceful young man, and has mo-
mentS OF entire uncOnSciouSneSS of self
winch are delightful. few years of hard
work would make him an actor of too sub
stantlal quality to seem properly placed in
such frankly frivolous and gauZy surround
lngS. The idea of turning of
strollinS players into the home of an old
couple, whose sole ambition is tranquility
IN order TO run hotel and practice certain
receptions upon expected guests, affords
numerous opportunities for comic charac-
terization. Mr.. Henry Norman, as the
strong man, IS excellent Mr. Frank Smith
son was good the irascible old gentle
man, and Miss Elonar Falk made the most
OF her rather limited musical opportunities.
Miss Edna Aug played the part of Ger
man servant conscientiously and humor-
ousIy Briskness of action is one of the
salient features of the production and to
help in what may be termed the "whoop-
lhS-up process several Skillful acrobatS
ana ana Jugslers are very happily introduced.
me programs aliusion to a large and
ef1cient chorus" is far from being the Gus
tomary managerial fiction. The lyrical
numbers are not distinguished by sustained
spontaneity and the music is largely mat
ter-of-fact There are several gems how
ever, both of mirth and sentiment and the
hnales were worked uD with a dash and
br1lliancy which evoked enthusiastic de-
mand for repetition.
NATIONAL THEATER-A really funny
compilation of nonsense is the three-act
farce, "A Reign of ErIor," presented at the
National Theater last night. The plot car
RED one from the deck of a yacht in mid
ocean to New York thence to Brazil But
wherever the party of merrymakers was
led Gus and Max Rogers were foremost III
the fun-making and jollity. OF course they
represented two unsophistcated Germans
and some of those who aSSiS ed in extend
ing errors reign We're Mile George Gelee
having a cool name with a warm DISPOSE
ton, Georgia Caine; DR.. Dago Daggeri,
who would be a consistent stage villain if
specialties permitted, Geo. F. Marion;
Weina CaVaya, who wants to Weina Wurst
Maude Raymond: Clementine Clapper, an
undeveloped clairvoyant. Ada Lewis: Jack
Ballster, who doesn't care for money ana
proves it by backing show, John Parr;
Irene OrSini dreamy and romantic because
her voice is soprano, Carrie ElbertS: Marie
Manila, who wants TO be a Leetelwurzer,
George Lawrence: Justin Soke. whom for
tune put in the show business and misfor-
tune keeps there, Budd Ross: Nuena
Glove, a fresh kid, Soke's daughter, La
Petite Adelaide; Mile. Bon Seconde, Edith
St. Clair. Then there We're officers, police
men, detectives, a newsbOy and a drum
major and q bunch of h-nnties known as
sirens of okes Superior Stellar artlers."
The Rogers hers were s.lWayS amusing,
and although their wit might not have been
fresh and full of surprises. Ada Lewis,
who won a reputation as clever portrayer
of odd characters several years ago. when
she won praise for her tough girl ably
assisted in entertaining. Georgia Game
who will be remembered as the Girl from
Paris" had another French part, which
she played in the same bright way as she
old before. Maude Raymond, John Parr
and La Petite Adelaide. VINO gave an eX-
hibition of toe dancing. were also prominent
in the specialties. The ChOruses were sung
with spirit and precision and the diafOSue
went with dash.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-"Diplom
one OF Sardou's great plays, was never pre-
sented to better advantage in Washing
ton than last night. The audience at the
Columbia witnessed a polished and artistic
performance of this drama by a competent
company and with adequate stage accesso-
ries. The company includes actors who
give ipdisputable evidence of having de
voted time and thought to study. The play
was presented by them not only with pains
taking attention to details, hut with no
little amount of artistic ability. "Diplo-
macy" is too well known to theater-goers
to need description. 1t has been favorite
for several years, and there is no indication
that it has yet OutwOrn its usefulness as
an attraction at play houses. The stua-
tions are intensely dramatic, possessing the
power to hold the attention of the audience
throughout without tagging. Mr.. Edgar
l.. Davenport, who took the part of Henry
ence with the fact that he has encompaSsed
the art of naturalness, if such an appar
emily paradoXical statement may be per-
mitted. Mr.. William G. Beach and Mr..
Frank Mordaunt, as Captain Beauclerc and
Baron Stein, made favorable Impressions
by their excellent and wel-studed work.
Miss Mary Shaw, in the difficult role of the
Countess Zcka, attracted to herself large
share of the appreciation of the audience
for the efforts of the entire company. Miss
Alberta Gallatn, Mrs. Wilson, Miss Violet
Rand, Mr.. D2nald G. Bowles and Mr.. Frank
Arisen carried their parts with credit. In
fact it would be difficult to choose from
this well-selected company particular per-
sons for special praise, the work of each
individual was so happily calculated to
make up the harmonious whole of excel
lCnce which marked the performance
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-The old
favorite, Natural Cas- dressed in new
clothes and abounding in new business.
was presented at the Academy of Music
last night by an excellent company at the
head of which stands Eddie Girard the
original Whirlem O'Rourke of the DonneIly
and Girard combination. The house was
well filled, and although nearly every one
had probably seen Natural Gas" and its
effects before, it was received with every
show of popular approval, the old things in
nTCHncfiGD hgi taL aln