The evening times., 1898-06-11
THINGS THEATRICAL.

When James o. Barrows selected Steele
Mackaye's powerful comedy drama, w on
at Last" for the third week of the Sum-
mer season. he had in mind giving all the
fayorites of the Columbia Comedy Com
pany opportunities commensurate with
their undoubted abilities.
While Jimmy" himself will be at his
happiest in the comedy role of the &C.
centric old professor, he has not, atter the
fashion of actor managers. appropriated
all the good things of the piece unto him-
self. The number of excellent parts IN
the play has caused it to be neglected by
theatrical stars for many seasons, out
this very quality makes it an ideal oner-
ing for a strong stock organization. II
NAV be described as a blending of humor-
Gus and dramatic interest by that master
of stagecraft. Steele Mackaye, who, IN
Hazel Kirke." Paul kauvar and 9TH
er famous works, laid the foundations Oh
the American plays.
II has two of the strongest leading roles
in the whole repertoire of emotional dra-
ma, re-enforced by some striking charac-
ter bits and relieved by several excellent
comedy portrayals. The manner in which
the serious and absurd situations are
sandwiched together is said TO show the
practlCed hdnd OF one OF tne Hfst great
American playwrights-
William Ingersoll Maud Haslam, Ed
win Mackaye and Eleanor Browning all
have strong emotional roles; Alexander
Kearney. John Lancaster, Messrs. Fur
long and Bass will have good character
parts. while upon James -. Barrows. Mrs
Findlay and Margaret Mayo will devolve
the principal comedy interest. Frank Ball
and Marie G.. West, two clever local play
u-ill he civ
parts il being Mr.. Barrows' policy to
give the youngsters a chance as well as
to provide the established favorites with
work in which the public likes them best
Audran's tuneful work, "Olivette," in
which the Parry Opera Company has
been playing to constantly increasing au-
dienoes at Glen Echo this week, will have
its final performance tonight before what
will probably be the largest crowd of the
season. and next week the organization
is prepared to keep up its record with a
complete and thoroughly artistic produc-
tion of Planquette's ever-popular Chimes
of Normandy" In THE Chimes is
found a remarkable combination of con-
sistent plot, picturesque settings, charm
ing characters and some of the best solo
and ensemble numbers of so-called comic
opera.
The Parry Company is qualified to i'm
prove all these opportunities to the ut
most, and the cast announced augurs well
for a great production. Allene Crater will
play that saucy good-for-nothing, Serpo-
lette; Viola D'Armon will be the gentle
Germaine; that splendid baritone, Charles
Haw!ey, will appear as the Marquis
while Jay c. Taylor will impersonate the
cowardly but tuneful Grenicheux. Geo.
Broderick will be seen as the comic Bailli
with Tom Daily as his faithful Notary,
but the surprise of the week. it is prom
ised, will be the Gaspard of Frank De-
shon. Up to date Mr.. Deshon has been
identified with purely comic parts. but
those who have seen him in this strong
role say that his impersonation of the old
miser is one of the finest bits of charac-
ter acting on the stage. Selma Rough,
Lizzie Winner. Primrose Archer and
Annie Clay will be the gay quartet of
village girls. while Guy Lispenard and
Frank Adams will complete the cast. The
chorus may be relied upon TO come out
strong in the concerted numbers for
which this opera is celebrated. The
Herld Square Quartette will appear be-
tween the acts in popular selections. and
also at the regular Sunday afternoon
and evening concerts.
AT the New National on Monday next