The times., 1898-05-15

low comedian could tell joke about her
dying in good spirits.
But why go on? The above selections
are sufficient TO show you that the drama
is a gold mine for the right parties, and
is bound to succeed. l should be pleased
to hear from you in the near future as
regards a conference concerning terms,
etc. Yours truly.
'T o. NUTTING."
There were not so very many Foreign
Sars' in Roster and Bial's organiza-
tion, which was seen last week at the
National. and perhaps ii is not strange
that the entertainers who Claimed Amer
ica for their home simply carried the
honors away under the very noses OF
those from over the water. Not the poor
est of the company by any means. was
a comedian, Nat NJ. Wills. who claims
this city for his home. In the convention
al tramp act Mr.. Wills introduced a great
deal of thoroughly new business. togeth-
er with several bits of impromptu wit.
that fairly took the house by storm
Nearly all his jokes were really new
not hashed over. but written on UNIQUE
and timely topics. Then his mannerisms
and eccentricities were different from the
usual run and his style of singing parc-
dies could not be improved upon. The
verses themselves were exceptionally
bright. and they lost nothing in their rem
dering. Mr. Wills Is as much novelty
in his line as was Dan DAILY in a higher
class of work. and his clever act was
thoroughly appreciated by his townspeo-
Pile.
Howard Boulden. who played the role
of Captain Quarterback last week in 'The
Dazzler," was perhaps the least compe
tent member of a generally creditab!e
company. His work bore the impress OF
sincerity and ambition. but it was neither
capable nor satisfying. About every line
he spoke there hung The impress OF am
ateurishness and lack of smoothness that
was really annoying. Mr.. Boulden has,
however, Il sweet voice and his rendering
OF one or two popular songs was very
pleasing. THE DazzIer'' itself was rath-
er more pleasing last week than ever be-
fore, rapidity of action and brightness Of
dialogue having improved IL a great deal
There is always room for a sDrightly
farce. with plenty of pretty women in the
cast, and. old as il is, the piece came
nearer that mark at the Grand than at
any time during its long history.
When properly presented acrobatlc
comedy is often more artistic and credit
able than humOr of q more dignifed sort
and at least in its results. It attains in
finitely greater prominence. ALI Wheelan
who assumed the role of Jamie McSnuf-
fy. the last of the McSnuffies-a wee bit
kleptomaniac," last week in The Idol ;
Eye is as perfect in that line as any of
his more celebrated peers. He is aero
batic, gymnastic and athletic, but al
ways in the most laughabIe way. and his
many oddities and eccenuricitieS greatly
euliven a part unique in operate hlstorv
His conception of its possibilities calls
Tor no end of cornmendation and his
makeup could not have helped but breed
contagious laughter by its very grotesque-
ness Altogether. Mr. Wheelan Is a thor
oueh artist, and his last is by far the best
OF the many excellent representations he
has given US during the last few years.
And speaking OF really clever people
cne cannot pass over the Ciarise Sis
ters. These versatile little women appear
ed last week at Kernan's and. though
much out OF place, succeeded in pleasing
immensely and in winning frequent doub-
le and even treble encores. They are
Doth mere girls and very charming ones
at that, pretty of face and 1.-THE OF form
Ones first impression of them could not
have been other than good the very
blending of colors in their dresses betTay-
ing quiet and unassuming taste. The el-
der of the two sisters proved herself
musician of exceptional ability-not of
the kind one sees on the variety stage
or even in the higher class theaters. but
of the sort one always associates with
expert parfor work. From their refine
ment and ability both might have been
the accomplished daughters of some
wealthy gentleman. One sister is a violin
and harp yirtuoso of no mean merit Her
playing of the intermezzo from '-Cava-
II, grace and rare artistic touches Both
bowling and lingering were excellent Her
harp solo was quite as good either
and violin duet. as accompaniment TO
vocal rendering Of an old ballad. devel-
Cped further talents in both, and their
versatility was shown ia the nestest Of
graceful dancing. which followed Il IS
rare indeed that such genius is noted IN
vaudeville house and Messrs Bryant and
Watson are 10 be congratulated on nav
ing signed Vivian and Ethel Clarise.
Norman Kopp. the Nautch girl in The
Idols Eye" is a dainty little woman OF
considerable charm. both as an actress
and singer Her quaint ways are most
pleasing and her delightful humor could
not fail of appreciation She Is a chic.
bright and wholly clever parsonage OF
whom much viii be heard in the future.
All things considered MI sootSet maui
a great mistake IN engaging Louise
Brehany for his chief solOist in The
Trooping of the CoIOrs." Miss Brehany
has a sweet mezzo soprano Of no little
quality and considerable timbTe. but In
most other respects ii is totally and pain
fully inadequate TO stage use. She rem
| ders her selections with great feeling and
| sympathetic earnestness. while her sing
| ing of a clever little bit of comic verse
| as an encore Wednesday was marked
with chic and good humOr. But her voice
lacks resonance and strength, two things
very necessary in a concert singer She
could barely make herself heard in the
LAFAYETTE and when it came To deliver
ing THE Stars and Stripes Forever
| with the energy, fire. spirit and dramatic
action with which it should have been
sung she was totally at a loss There
was nothing inspiring in the way she
gave the patriotic words and So1'Ta @
quick. emphatic music lost all it's effect
through her weakness. AT such a mo-
ment clearness and great strength were
! needed TO make one heard above the noise