Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-01
AMUsEMENrs.

ADJUSTMENTS.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-Perhap
the most laudable Of the many compliment
tary things that should be said Of the pro-
duction Of 1.-THE French Maid" as given
last evening at the New National Theater,
is that 1t Is clean and wholesome through
out never for a moment going beyond the
limits of propriety. This condition OF
things at the present time is refreshing.
In addition there are scenery Of the most
attractive sort and scores Of pretty girls,
who are more than attractive. Then there
are musical numbers almost without num-
Der and dances galore, but the bright feat
ure Of the evening was the work Of several
unusually clever comedians. In short, ''The
French Maid is in truth risky novelty
that kept the audience In q continual laugh
through the medium of high order OF
comedy endeavor, to the exclusion of horse
play and cheap variety tactics. The
French Maid to a certain extent Is in the
same class with "1492' and Little Chris
TOPPER" eliminating the burlesque feat
Lost evening can readily understand it's
success in New York and London. There Is
some evidence OF a plot but merely suffi-
cient to form foundation for the greatest
possible number of songs that are bright,
original and pleasingly rendered, and
dances that are also new. The star of the
production Is unquestionably Mr.. Charles
A. BigeloW, who as Charles Brown,
waiter. with a stereotyped THANK you,
very kindly" caused a spontaneous laugh
by his every word and action. Second in
Importance in the comedy line is Mr.. Hal
len Mostyn, as Jack Brown. sailor. by
birth the twin brother Of Charles, although
diametrically the opposite in physique. Mr..
Ed. Redway, a diminutive admiral. was
as funny as he was frisky. Miss Olive Red
path was the French maid, and she In
fnr Tod he nnor onfa in ms
was irresistible and sparkling. The others
in the cast were all well fitted to the parts
assigned them, particularly Mr.. William
Armstrong, who made a handsome naval
lieutenant, and Harry Norman, who was
fierce gend' arme, and the vocal efforts OF
both drew forth emphatic applause. The
Australian dancer, Saharet, who was the
talk of London for some time. had things
al her own way during portion of the
second act and proved a surprise in
terpischorean and agile way. Several
unique ballots were presented, In connec-
ton with which Herr Augustus Sohlke
proved himself a prince of grotesque
dancers. The enthusiasm Of the audience
was carried to the extreme pitch during
the final chorus, when every person on the
stage produced and waved to and fro the
stars and stripes, and, as the curtain de-
scended, sang the Star Spangled Banner.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-Lovers of the
romantic drama will find rare entertain
mert during the present week at the CO.
lumbia- For Fair Virginia" possesses
many strong points as drama OF the war
1t recalls the stirring scenes OF civil strife,
depicts typical characters of the north and
south, abounds in touches of pathos and is
frightened by many witty passages The
play does not allow the attention OF the
audience to lag. The audience at the Co
lumbia last evening was an apprec1at1ve
one Mrs. Whytal as Virginia Esmond
makes a typical southern girl and shows
great power in her dramatic efforts. She has
80 <ho Hn1rfn md CHI
Celebrates 1t in the most artistic manner Mr..
Whytal as Colonel Dunbar proves decided
success. Miss Viola Fortescue plays
spirited part as Nell Esmond, Yankee
will be sure to attract good audiences to
the Columbia during the week.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
The announcement that Henry E. Dixey
would appear as a "magician' suff1ced to
fill the house last night with an audience
at once appreciative and curious. Many
were familiar with Mr.. DfXey's versatility
and cleverness. Many remembered him as
q brilliant success in "Adonis'' days. Others
recalled his semi-success In the "legiti-
mate" All knew more or less about the
charm of his personality, the grace OF his
stage style and the range of his talents
But Mr.. Dixey was trying bold expert
ment. He was entering field not only
pretty we'll trampled by men OF positive
genius. such Hermann and Kellar, and
thus inviting comparisons with their work,
but he was assuming a role that concen-
trated attention upon himself as never be-
fore has 1t been so focused. Were Mr.
Dixey less of an artist in all that he does
he would have failed miserably. As it is,
he has succeeded nicely, not wonderfully
nor surprisingly, but just nicely. He has
hands, and he manages to keep his audience
In good humor and a state Of expectancy
throughout the evening, but at no time can
ne succeed in arousing any Of the old-time
ciocy 10 NlnNr1n
sphere into which he has projected himself
Is below his own, and he has narrowed his
possibilities.
The entertainment is practically on the
same lines those of other 'magicians."
There is, first, a hodge-podge of tricks of
sleight Of hand, with some very effective
stage accessories, two pretty girls and
couple of brightly clad negro boys. The
chief feature of this act is Mr.. Dixeys
"patter." He makes small talk neatly and
uses 1t to good advantage. In this respect
he Is superior to those men Of the same line
whom he Is following. Indeed, Mr.. Dixey
is In his element when he is chatting conf
dentially with his audience.
The second part consists of twenty min
utes with Adonis Dixey." This is probably
the most enjoyable feature of the enter
tainment. In it Mr.. Dixey revfves three Of
his cleverest representations that made him
famous several years ago. He appears as
the awkward country girl, the old man and
Irving. His old man is a perfect piece Of
work. 1t Is practically impossible to rec
ognize the least semhlance to the sprightly
Dixey in the representation. The represen-
tation of Henry Irving is made novel, even
to those persons who saw it in other days,
by the introduction Of the audience to the
Of makeup" Seated at a small
table near the footlights, Mr.. Dixey pro-
ceeds to transform himself into an almost
exact presentation of the famous English
tragedian, occasionally interfering a word
or two of amusing comment. The make
up completed, Mr.. Dixey gives a marvel
ously life-lfke representation. singing a few
verses Of the old familiar song "Its Eng
lish, You Know"
Following this act come two others sim
liar to those of entertainments Of the same
class-one a black-stage performance with
appearing and disappearing
objects, concluding with an "illusion'-a
young woman being transformed into a live