Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-29
ADJUSTMENTS,

There is no case in which comparisons
are more temptingly invited, and yet, as a
rule, more unreasonable, than in a theatrical
performance, especially when that perform
ance has the legitimate quality of those Of
fered at the Lafayette Square Opera House
this week Miss Blanche Walsh is an artist
OF firmly grounded reputation; one whose
name has for many seasons been an aSsur
ance of especial interest in the cast which
included it. Mr.. Melbourne Mcdowell has
no less a reputation as an interpreter of
picturesque and romantic roles, and with
Sardou as the playw right the offering of
TINS combination takes on exceptional artis-
TIC significance and constitutes an event
worthy of attention on its own merits quite
independently of cherished but necessarily
reminiscent ideals. 1t is true that much of
the beauty of diction which a drama of its
pretent1ous type should present Is absent
from the Anglicized version of La Tosca."
Possibly it has. as often happens, escaped
In the process of translation and stage pro-
auction But the genius of the famous
Frenchman Is of too robust a quality to de-
pend for it's manifestation upon the nicely
with which a phrase is turned Plots are
his stock intrade, not epigrams He leaves
the nnesse OF expression to the actors and
PROVIDES them with situations of such pow
er mat the emotions accompanying them
could often be but weakly told in words.
with so much depending upon technique
the success which Miss Walsh and Mr. Mac
A|O"S'' GNiiieNed last night was the more
noteworthy. La Tosca was witcling in her
cafesses and tempestuous in her passions,
lmpetuous at all times and at all times
graceful. Scarpia was none the less adj
miraolc from critical standpoint because
ms influence on events is sinister one
The manners of a Chesterfield and the in
stlncts or Machiavelli make a fascina ting
combination for the observer of human ma
ture, and this is happily realized in. the
leaolng male role of this play. And about it
an IS the picturesque attraction of a period
When men and women We'd in the lavish
Tess with which they adorned themselves
as well as their dwellings, The wealth of
scenery and costumes which the organiza-
tlon enjoys leaves nothing to be desired in
tle way OF stage equipment. Slken hose,
Satln coats and breeches and gowns of
varied and expensive stuffs, together with
the mimic masonry by which the stage car
Pthtef rears palaces while the orchestra
pays MADE ne occasion "a production in
the extensive sense in which the term is
nlodernly employed. Arthur Elliott's Ma
no was good bit of acting and the COM
pany as a whole afforded acceptable sup
port. tonight Antony and Cleopatra" will
be presented
NEW NATIONAL THEATER-Mr. Sol
Smith Russells popularity was fulJv dem
onstrated last night by the large audience
that assembled in the National Theater to
greet him on the first night of his annual
engagement by the warm reception he re-
ceived on his first appearance and by the
enthusiastic curtain calls that followed the
close OF the first act. which did not cease
until Mr.. Russell had made one of his in
hnltaole speeches. incidentally it may be
said that if he had not responded to the
demand Tor speech at that time there
would nave been no demand later on Mr.
Russells methods of acting are peculiarly
his own. In fact, he is best and most at
ractive when he doesn't act at all In
Hon. John Grigsby" Mr.. Klein shows
the results of long study of the star, and
mas thus provided Mr. Russell with a part
that folds itself about the portrayer with
OUT a Wrinkle or crease. 1t enables him to
be himself at all times. and those familiar
with Mr.. Russell had rather see him thus
IMAM in much more aItitudinous role.
his portraitures are pictures always full of
heart interest, of quaint humor and enter
lalnment, 1t might be said, but at the same
time his auditors know that behind all of
these pleasant characteristics is strength
strength that is bound sooner or later to
assert Itself. and always sure to develop
just al the proper moment. The tension
created by the volcanic outburst Is allowed
10 exist but moment however and he
fore one can realize it almost a decidedly
thrilling ante-clinax is followed by some
uIoll SAVING or action that lifts the audi
ence back into the realms of laughter and
good humor Mr.. Russell is ALWAYS an
perbly good in characters fitted to his es-
pecial style of playing, and as his present
ploauctloh was constructed with no other
end In view than to give him q chance to
uspiay MS charming personality it NAV
be said to be one of his best PLAYS. Hon
John Grigsby," however was nut together
on me shortest possible notice, and as this
IS oniy IT'S second week out it still has its
rough places, discernble perhaps 10 the
crlIics only, but nevertheless existing
Ihls lack OF perfect smothness is felt in
az eiae stconu act which allows the interest to
nag a trlfe but which, by the way. has
already been reconstructed by the plav
wright and will soon be seen in his new and
Ia version OF the incidents contained
III II. me excellence of the first and third
acts completely offsets the apparent weak
ness OF the second, however and then
through 1t all, we have Mr. Russell. around
whom the interest centers and who Is an
tiltre production In himself, an Interesting
ana entertaing friend. with whom none de,
slres to part. AS the country LAWYER who
champions the cause OF a. school teacher
whose fault is that she is an instructor of
lne coiored children. and suffers some per-
secutlon as result, and wins her in the
end. TO the great satisfaction of his friends
IN the play and in the audience as well MIR
russell has many strong lines which he in
terprets In his own estimable naturalness
and also number of situations not lacking
in the same kind of strength, which he car
ries admirably indeed. Taken aItoeether
Hon. John Grigsby' is an interesting per
sohase, and the play named for him is
very good, indeed; In many respects an
perfor TO some Of Mr.. Russelrs past sue
eesseS IN lew weeks II will be warped
iEto perfect shape and will then be out of
H.
est criticism with the best of grace and In.
Variably profits by 1t. OF Mr. RusseIls sun.
porting company naught but commentator
may be said. Messrs William Sampson,
Alfred Hudson, Lionel Barrymore and VIII.
liam Farnum are all well known to play-
goers and portray their respective parts
in the best possible manner Fannie AID.
olson Pitt, Florence Rockwell and Lila
ConVere make up the feminine portion of
the cast, and their work is well done
throughout. Wednesday afternoon Mr. Rus.
sell will give special matinee performance
for the benefit of the Garfield Memorial
Hospital.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-The name of
JACK Haverly is as much SYNONYMOUS with
latter-day negro minstrelsy as that of Dan
Emmett was at the beginning the only
difference being that Havery's eminence
was attained in the managerial while EN-
metts was secured back of the footlights
IL was only natural. therefore, that the Co.
lumbia Theater should contain a large au-
dlence of lovers of burnt-cork comedy and
It's accompanying features last night. when
HaNeriys newly organized aggregation
opened week of mirth and music. At the
close OF the evening the assembIaee was
well satisfied with the entertainment that
had been afforded it. The performances