davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
fJfIou-S audc\-iiIe

Miss Truly Shattuck. the vivacious Cali
fornia nightingale, will head the bill at
the popular Bijou Theater during the in
coming week. This announcement will be
hailed with pleasure by her thousands of
friends in Washington, and by ali lovers
of high-class vaudeville. With a delight
full voice. a pair OF laughing eyes, a
beautiful face and attractive figure
added to her histrionic abilities, she is
blessed with all that goes to make up a
star Her rendering of Sousa's march
lei Captain" in costume, is said to be
thoroughly artistic. The sisters Fran
colo, direct from the principal European
theaters will also be on hand with a
budget of the latest popular songs. These
clever little ladies promise the Biiou's
patrons genuine surprise. Walz and
Ardelle. said to be two OF the most charm
ing singers that ethr stepped foot on the
vaudeville stage, present selections from
some of the popular operas, including the
'Miserere" from ''lIl Troyatore."
The Great Austin, the wonder of the
slack wire, will be seen in a series of
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

In "A skirmish which takes place near
and which the Countess sees from her
window, the Prussan officer life is en-
dangered, and the Countess quickly sends
him aid. In order to effect his safety
she has him brought to the castle. and
he is disguised as her oyerseer His
identity Is suspected by French ofn
Ger who is also in love with the Countess.
The noble woman manages To save rim.
however until she learns that he is
implicated in a plot to assassinate Ma
poleOn. In the fierce struggle that en-
sues within Aer heart between love Of
country and her love for the young Prus-
sian. the man 0eTmastets her. until she
hears the Polish troops singing her ma
uonal hymn, whereupon. with breaking
heart. she discloses his identity to mis-
enemies He Is court martialed and
sentenced to be shot. This tragic end
ing, however, does not eliminate
The production is said to be a most
beautiful one, the period and locale af-
fording opportunities for magnificent
stage settings costuming and other ac-
cessories. Miss Marlowe has always
been lavish in this respect and this pro-
duction, made under her own personal
direction and supervision, is assuredly
no exception to her rule. Her supporting
company is particularly strong one and
comprises among others, j. M. Cilyille,
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

appearance in this city of Mazuz and
Mazett, acrobats and tumblers. Another
entertainer will be Mr.. Ed Woods Po-
lice Gazette champion boxer and bag
punCher of the world
The olio consists of the favorite duo,
Smilax and Kattrell; Hi Tom Ward, &c
centric entertainer; the Werlich equilib-
rists; favorite comedy team, Whitelaw
and Stewart; the German and the Celt;
the rainbow dance led by Crissie Sher-
idan. who is said to be the most per-
fectly formed woman on the burlesque
stage; the operate nightingale, hyllis
Ruffen; Flynn and Ruffell, in pleasing
sketch, and the colored Kohinoors OF
comedy. William English and Pearl
Woods, in their own creation.
The entire performance will conclude
with an uD-to-date burlesque. entitled
"In the Teuderloin'' or New York al
Night" AS an additional feature. the
famous wrestler, Yeusouf, has been en-
gagged. and will-posiVvely appear at each
performance. He will meet all corners,
professional or amateur, and has stand
ing offer of so to anyone he cannot
throw twice in an hours time.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

Last week was a serious one, not only
In that it marked the close Of a period
of penance but in the class of plays pre-
scented. There was not q. single farce in
the entire city. musical comedy was
firmly eschewed and drama of the sober,
serious and more or less dignified sort
held the boards. Business was almost
monopOlized by two houses. the remand
er feeling the results Of Holy Week and
fearful competition keenly. The Lafay-
cite and Columbia, however. were packed
TO the doors every night. even the last
days Of Lent bringing little cessation. At
the former. z. II. Sothern. presented
three plays. THE Adventure Of Lady Ur-
sula. taking supremacy most of the
time Richard Mansfield taxed the seat
ing capacity Of the house in which he
appeared all during his engagement and
it is undoubtedly true that this remarka-
bic man never before won such apprecia-
ton in Washington. Andrew Mack in
PRODUCED An Irish Gentleman" at the
National TO the slimmest kind of audi
eIces. while Humanity" at the Acade-
my. and The Brand of Cain" at the
Grand ran no serious risk Of breaking
records. The Rentz-SantIey BurIesquers
gave an excellent show at kernaa's and a
very good bill was presented at the Biiou.
both theaters doing their usual business.
There are number Of good things in
store for the next six days and they
should DE greedy snapped UP by the
observation-disclosures. That delightful ar
tiste Julia Marlowe. viii be seen at
the Lafayette in her new play. The
Countess Valeska. all the week with
the exception of Saturday night, when
'Ingomar'' viii be put on. The Lillipu-
tians are 10 produce their Fair in Mid
gettown" on the stage OF the Columbia.
and Daniel FrOhmans Lyceum Theater
Company have arranged to play THE
Princess and the Butterfly at the Ma
tionsl Thomas +. Shea. who has won
the right 10 be called the best of meIo-
dramatic actors. returns TO The Grand
with the naval success, The Man-o'
Wars Nan" He viii vary his program
on Thursdav night and appear in DIR.
Jskyl and Alr. Hyde Katie Emmett and
The Waits % New York come back TO
the Academy and Flynn and Sheridan
City Sports are 20 be at Kernan's. An
excellent vaudeville bill viii be seen at
the Bijou. NJ better and more versatile
array has been promised in a long
time and business should be correspond
ingly good
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

Ones respect for wOnan's intellect and
common sense are greatly lessened by the
manner in which the average girl makes
an idiot of herself over E. II. Sothern.
The feeling that must result when one
passes a theater, as many did the Lafay-
cite Square Opera House at the TWO mat
nees last week. and discovers near 1lG
women waiting at the stage door. ike
dudes after a spectacular performance.
TO catch a glimpse Of their idol, cannot be
described by any other word than dis
gust Should the observer happen 10 see
Mr.. Sothern act. certain wonder is add
ed to mis- other ideas and sUpplants them
in large degree. Mr.. SOtheTn is GER
tainly not q clever man and still less a
capable actor. He is essentially superb
cial. shallow in the last degree and not
given to scholarship either in an obserV-
ance of detail or in his interpretations
Worst of all, he is much inclined to
Tanting and 70 making just as much noise
as is possible with as little reason. He
is the fop of the stage-a swash buckler in
reality as much as in the mimic world
And yet the worship OF this young fellow
is not totally without reason on the part
of the giggling girls who pack his houses.
He and his plays NIL their silly little heads
full of the romantic fOolishness that is
IOEDluueu them IN Jne 8OrkS or Laura
Jean Libbey and the Duchess The
braggadocio and bravado pIsases them; the
exaggerated love scenes make them fall
as adorerS at the feet of the man who
reads the lines. The artifce and artific-
iality of his dramas appeals To them.
The fact that they contain no reason for
anything, but simply an excuse to beat
about the bush for two hours on a sub
ject that might better be told IN two
minutes. does not matter in the least.
Few women are too fond of practicality.
and fewer girls do not 90 into raapsodies
over bit of romance in play The alb
surdity OF talking in riddles that nizht
better never have been asked, of pranc-
ing around crying for gore when a plain
statement would have ruined nothing but
the plot of the piece, does not seem TO
strike home
THE Adventure OF Lady Ursula" was
doubtless remarkable comedy OF the
powder and patch kind. but il was.
nevertheless, essentially Sothern in every
scene. The lines were bright but suit
ed TO ht his personality Il would be
impossible for him To alter that
handkerchief was drODDed-instead Of
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

the beginning Of this season his company
appeared at the home theater. in New
York. In A. ". Pinero's new comedy.
THE Princess and the Butterfly" and.
as there are some thirty speaking parts
in the play, Mr.. Frohman was able to
bring forward the fun strength Of his
excellent organization. The piece proved
10 be one Of the chief successes Of the
New York season. and ran at the Ly-
ceum for several months TO Overlooking
houses.
i is described as a suggestive pOr-
trayal a half-sentimental half-humorous
episode In English social life Of today
and Is said 10 be one Of the brightest
and cleverest comedies that Pinero has
ever written. il teens with smart say
inss in its clever thrusts at fashionable
fOllies and the unmasking OF social by
p0crisy.
The task that Mr. Pinero set himself
about was 10 show that love levels ages
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

feet long rise up between them and the
stage and remain standing from three to
ten minutes. When everyone is in place
the gentlemen of the party take the OPP
portunity to rise and leisurely survey the
house. Then they remove their Overcoats
and. placing them on their chairs, remain
as an obstruction TO the view for some
time longer. When, at last they sit down
either it is upon an improvised stool that
makes them loom up to- formidable
height or they have the pleasure of hold
ing bulky and heavy coats in their arms
until the performance is oyer.
BY this time the orchestra is well
filed ana everyone begins to congratu-
late himself. Soon, however, some
twenty people in the audience learn that
fate has put them behind women who
are willing to sacrifice mems opinions of
their manners for ideas of their appear
ance. These ladies may have hair done
up eight inches from the top their heads
or. what is worse, hats built of thin
straw with curling brims and feathers
that apparently reach from the top OF
the proscenium arch to the floor and ex-
tend from wing to wing. Now and then.
as the heads of the hats wearers boo
about the unfortunates behind catch q
glimpse of the stage, or occasionally
they see the nose and a portion of the
eyebrow of some performer through a
crevice in the pIumes, but generally they
are forced to jump around like mechani-
cal figures in a shooting gallery.
But this is not all Invariably there
must be some idiot at one side who has
seen the production before, and has
taken a friend that he may have an OBJ
iect lesson for his explanations. Blandly
and with the happy smile of satan he
criticises what has passed. prophesies
what is to come. informs the row of his
opinion of the author. and names the
pedigree of every artist on the stage AT
brief intervals he ailudes in a loud tone
of voice to the business the piece has
done. or waves his arms franticaIIy in
looking up the genealogical tree of
some ancient duip or jest perpetrated.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

Merry Katie Emmett and an excellent
company presenting the well-known and
ever-popular comedy drama, THE
Waits of New York" will be the mag
net to attract the patrons of the Acade-
my tomorrow night. The Waits of New
York" will be remembered as having been
the original of all the plays dealing with
life in the great metropolis. Since its
last tour the piece has been rewritten
and revised. and as now presented is said
TO be the superior Of all comedy dramas
of the day. The play deals with the low
er five of Greater New York Striking
climaXes follow one another in rapid sue
cession, and lovers of drama will find
as much pleasure in witnessing this pro-
duction their hearts could desire
Miss Emmett assumes various charac-
tiers but is al her best as Willie Rufus
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
Grand-Thomns Il. shea.

Thomas e. Shea, who will appear in
THE -Wars-Man" at the Grand
Opera House Monday, is fast becoming
one of the foremost stage favorites of
the country. 1t is said that there are
very few actors endowed with as much
magnetic force This magnetism has a
splendid chance to assert itself in the
character of Capt. Jack Conway, the
hero of THE Man-o- Wars Man." who is
dashing naval officer detailed in the
secret service of the United States. AS
Il spy Conway becomes involved in many
dangers, but he manages to escape from
Sheas support includes several we'll
known members of the profession, his
leading lady being Miss Louise Brooks,
herself in Charles Frohman's forces. The
scenes of the play are laid in New York,
Honolulu, Russia. and Nicaragua, thus
giving chance for a variety of elabor-
ate mountings. One of the features is
an actual naval battle, in which the
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
lis wig and-the audience is convulsed

his wig and-the audience is convulsed
with laughter.
Neither labor nor expense is said to
have been spared in making the new
spectacular production. The Fair in
Midgettown. the most gorgeously and
laVishly amounted play ever seen here. The
music is extremely pretty and catchy,
while the mechanical effects and devices
are novel and surprising. Three grand
ballets, called The Five Senses" News
paperdom" and Victorious Armies of the
World" are said to be most originally de-
signed, and are carried out by Il corps of
young and handsome dancers. The Lii
putians participate in the choreographic
part of the play as Spanish toreadors
newsboys and famous generals. The
Fair in Midgettown'' is altogether a play
which should be seen by everybody
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

The usual big audience was present
at the Lafayette Square Opera House
last night to- stand sponsor for f. II.
Sothern's old-new success, Lord Chum-
ley. The actor has been too frequently
in the part for it to require extended
notice. 1t Ssffces to say that he made
the most OF what is undoubtedly one Of
the two best roles he ever played. His
love making was as rapturous as of yore
and his pathetic bits were brought our
in relief that not only showed strongly
beside the comedy in the piece but re-
deemed the character of Chumley-the
man who could do nothing but took at
that id moon The audience was evil
IDENTIFY well pleased and by continued ap-
plause signified its hope that Sotherns
leave taking would soon be followed by
another welcome
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

the heroic newsboy. She is said to have
a pretty and interesting face. trim fig
ure, a pleasant voice that becomes music
when she laughs, and more winning ways
than one can enumerate. The supporting
company is spoken Of as being among the
strongest ever seen in such a presenta-
ton and the play is so arranged as to
allow the introduction Of a number of
pleasing specialties.
Among the entertainers are Harry
West. who, with his low Of German wit
and song. keeps the audience In "A con-
tinual uproar; Jenny Eagle, one of Tony
Pastors favOrites; and Little Josephine.
one Of the youngest children on the
stage today. Miss Emmett will also in
troduce her budget of songs selected
from the latest successes of the day. En-
tirely new scenic and mechanical effects
are introduced and nothing forgotten
which would to to make this one OF the
best productions of the season
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
To Sec the ItnItnn Ship.

In order to give the Washington pub
lie a good opportunity to see the Italian
cadet ship the Amerigo Vespucci, which
is at anchor below Alexandria. Capt. +.
S. Randall will make the new steamer, the
EsteIle Randall, make four trips to her
anchorage, on each trip the steamer VIII
stop near and sail around the Amerigo
Vespucci that all on board can have a
good view of her. The steamer will leave
at II a. m, l. 3 and p. m. Ticket for the
round trip will be 25c, children 15c.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

The Lilliputiafs will begin weeks en-
gagement at the Columbia tomorrow eve
ming, presenting their latest and greatest
success. THE F air in Midgettown.' This
will be the first time they have given a
performance here in English, and it is
sure to lend additional pleasure to the
performance. Dainty, petite and fascinat-
ing little Franz Ebert's appearance is al
ways novel and funny, and in this new
piece a most amusing episode happens
during the second act. Ebert. dressed as
a baby, is seated in one of the lower
boxes in company with n lady. Suddenly
the child grows FESTIVE, stretches its
little arms out toward the stage-where
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

American and Spanish vessel fight, the
engagement terminating with the sink
ing of the Spaniard. This will be re-
turn engagement
Mr.. Shea will produce his masterpiece
DR.. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" on Thurs
day. Wherever he has presented the
piece elsewhere the theaters, it is re-
ported, have been packed to the doors.
His conception of the dual role. it is
stated, is a finished and realistic piece Of
acting that ranks with the best interpre-
tauons that have been given since Stew
enSOns famous work was dramatiZed
Extra Easter Monday matinee at g
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

difficult feats, and the wonderful Aureus
contribute some daring aerial work. Ca
sey and Leclaire present a comical
sketch entitled The Irish Tenants" The
work of Maggie Leclaire is said to bring
to one remembrances of Amy Ames, in
her famous character. Violet Hughes The
return of the Misses Bigger and Dreher
in a series of new songs, duets and a
wealth of new and beautiful costumes,
the retention of Gertie ellison, and a new
burlesque by the Biiou Stock Company
complete a bin spoken of as being unique
in its excellence
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

work on the last nights of the week. The
two Saturday performances. and often
that of Friday night are often ruined
by hOrseplay and nonsense Of the rough
est sOr,. The players make little or no
effort TO put meaning into their lines.
and jest at audiences in a manner thar
tells plainly just how Ht,le they care
what is thought Of them. Frequently
some entertainer breaks out into laugh
te.' and either throws the remainder OF
the organization into commissions. or is
himself in state that leaves him COM
pletely out of the picture Lines are
cut and whole scenes gar6ied in he
most fearful way. Evidently these peo-
pie have learned. or think they have
learned. that so late in the week they
are not only beyond affecting he size OF
their houses. but that they are out OF
reach of the critics. In both OF these
they are wrong. as they will find 70 their
cost. Numbers of intended patrons have
been turned away from Saturday even
ing performances by the remarks OF those
who were present at the matinee.
But were this not true managers might
bethink themselves that at some future
Tune, probably within year. they win
be forced again TO ask the attendance. OF
the very people they swindIed House
managers, too, should recall the fact that
Such things initiate against their the
aters New York city has no such profit
able night for the theaters during the
week as Saturday. The audiences are
generally third again as large as those
OF any other evening. and but for the rep
utation they have won for careIessneSs
on the last nights of their engagements.
Saturday might well be the best instead
OIL the worst theater night in this city. A
very little extra pains would soon secure
TINS result ana such change Is not I'M
worthy of consideration
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
willard HaII-Cinematoer

Almost unprecedented success has been
the fate of the cinematographe this month
at Willard Hall. The pictures shown are
not only excellent but many of them re-
late to a topic so live in public interest
as to keep the hall crowded continually.
Moving pictures are shown of the Maine
leaving the Brooklyn navy yard on her
way to Havana and of the disaster that
overlook her at that port. The views are
said to be practically perfect, the jar
ring and spacing of most machines of a
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

ries away ones judgment completely
and any other ending than that which
is provided would be disappointment.
One feels himself constantly debating
whether the denouement that he desires
and which occurs, is right or wrong. 1t
is this diversity of opinion that has made
the play the talk of London and New
York, and it bids fair to be equally a
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

The management of the Lyceum The
alter offers for the week OF April II Flynn
and Sheridans new CITY Sports" The
show is said TO be on the spectacular or
der, more so than on the burIesque, and
has varied program of novelties. The
most important feature will be the first
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
THE PASSING SHOW.

Does it ever occur to the majority of
theatergoers that. all other things being
even, it takes great deal of fortitude
to sit through a performance al any one
of our local theaters? Not that the
managers of these house have not done
everything possible for the comfort OF
their patrons, excepting to regulate the
audience themselves, but it is in this
that the evil lies and, in the usual
just and equal way the innocent are
forced to bear with the guilty. So great
are the discnmfOrts that must be suf-
fered from the vanity, stupidity and self
ishness of thoughIless people that it must
indeed be an excellent performance that
can be enjoyed over and above them.
And when the entertainment is excep-
tonal so many Of the aforesaid thought
less kind so 10 see it that one doesn-I
get half the benefit
If tickets were purchased according to
the amount of a play seen the revenues
of theaters would be reduced about one
half y man pays $3.50 for his seat, gets
an old friend or a best girl and after
hurrying her into her wraps and himself
into an epileptic state. they arrive at the
playhouse that is destined to be the scene
of their evenings enjoyment. If they
happen TO sit down stairs a polite, and If
upstairs more or less impertinent. ush-
er shows them to their seats and a mo-
ment later the orchestra appears. the
lights shine out in redoubled spiendor
and the unSOphisticated pair are so sure
of seeing an excellent performance that
they regret the emptiness of the house
When the curtain rises. ten minutes lat
er there are 200 or 800 seats still vacant
and the beginning of the production finds
them still untitled.
But just about the time that the hero
inc is comfortably. seated upon a foot
stool. listening to the story of her life,
or the villain laying down the law to all
the good people in the piece the gentle
men and ladies outside begin to remem-
Der that there is something on for the
evening and commence arriving at the
theater. At first they come one by one
then in small SQUADS and finally in regi-
mentS that force those who have come
early to give vent to their disgust or pro-
family. according to .eX. Ushers rush I'D
the aisles. footboards crash and rattle
and seats are let down with a terrific
noise. 1t seems to be the positive duty
of every late-comer to attract as much
attention as possible For the space of
twenty minutes the play becomes a pan
tomime and the audience present is left to
guess what is going on.
After a brief time. someone reaches the
row of seats in which the man and his
best girl are seated and. perforce. are
shown to chairs in the middle
of the line. Tardy theatergoers
never buy aisle seats Immediate
ly everyone within crowding distance
stands up and the fashionabIes push and
jam their way past. To people behind
iG nla 81 in
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

lencer and why do people bring such
small children TO the theater?" are heard.
To make the matter more feasible, an
usher is seen Fastening toward the box,
bue Ebert has already climbed over the
railing and joined the dancers, takes off