Evening star., 1898-11-09
AMUsEMENTS.


Hanford, the well-known Washington actor,
who has won for himself position in the
very front rank of the exponents of the
classical drama in this country, will be
seen at the Columbia Theater ali of next
week in strong repertoire Of legitimate
plays. Mr.. Hanford has won his enviable
position in the theatrical profession by
hard and conscientious work and long SER
vice in the Interpretation of the roles in
cluded in his repertoire His name is al
ready indelbly stamped upon the pages of
the dramatic history of America, and he
stands today as a representative of the
highest type of histrionic art. Mr.. Han
ford's physical endowments contribute a
deal to his remarkable success and his
scholarly attainments. He possesses noble
presence. fine head, and features that
seem to have been chiseled for ideal
exponent of the legitimate drama.
The repertoire chosen for Mr. Hanfords
engagement next week will include six of
the strongest plays presented by him, viz.
"Othello." Julius Caesar" The Merchant
of Venice Damon and Pythias," "Vir-
ginius" and 'Ingomar." No American actor
of late years has made a more successful
effort to mount the plays of his repertoire
with greater attention TO details than has
Mr. Hanford His scenery is elaborate and
correct, and the costuming of his company
rich and appropriate. Among the produc-
tions carried by Mr.. Hanford is the Booth
Caesar He also has all the scenery and
costumes used by the late Thos. W. keene,
all of which have been carefully rehabili-
tated, so that they are as good as new.
The members of the company in support
have all been selected with a view to max
ing this the strongest Shakespearean COM
pany that has been seen in many years.
1t includes such well-known artists as Marie
Drofnah, Mary Timbermann, John A. Ellis
ler Frank Hennig. Lawrence Lowell, John
Milton, Paul G. Taylor, Richard Buhler
and James Young. Matinees will be given
on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.
THE BELLE OF NEW YORK"-"The
Belle of New York. the reigning queen of
season now at hand. Its first performance
by the Casinos coming company is an
nounced at the Lafayette Square Theatcr
for Monday night. The cast contains fine
assortment of metropolitan favorites in
this special field of musical merriment
Mr.. Dan Daily is literally proclaimed as the
star feature of the gay ensemble-a fact
which foreshadows a sprighty and abund-
scenes. The engagements made for this,
the latest of the Belle" organizations. In
cludes all the great American cities. and
a production is promised that rivals in
splendor the one which has SO captivated
the English metropolis. All the gorgeous
scenery, all the sumptuOus costumes and
every phase of property used in the
original have been reproduced for this
presentation. Indeed, the same high
standard aimed at in all the enterprises
emanating from the Casino is to be main-
tained in the artistic department.
THE TREE OF KNOwLEDGE.''-The
attraction at The New National Theater
next week will be James K. Hackett in the
New York success, The Tree of Knowl-
edge, an original five-act modern play, by
r. c. Carton, from whose pen came also
The Home Secretary and Liberty Hall"
This work was originally produced by
George Alexander and
St. James Theater, London. last season,
Mr.. Alexander and Julia Nelson playing
the leading parts. The play is decidedly in
teresting and in all respects the best work
its author has yet given to the stage. It's
ethical import is that man is not always the
assailant of virtue, and that the deliberate
wiles of a wicked woman create wider de-
Vastaton that results from mans Uansgres-
sionS. While this Is rather a risky theme,
Mr.. Carton has succeeded in presenting it
in fashion that renders the play clean
and wholesome, It's entire dialogue and ac-
ton being entirely free from 'offensiveness
of any sort, and the lesson It teaches is
healthful and invigorating. The dialogue Is
fresh and terse, is marked by epigram and
frequently cryStaliiZes in a sentence world
of everyday wisdom. 1t is a play which
will be enjoyed by Intelligent, broad-minded
people In Mr.. Hackett's company are Ma
bel Amber. who plays the wicked woman,
Belle; George Allison, Mrs. owen Marlowe
Miriam Nesbitt, E. w. Thomas, Gertrude
Rivers, Longley Taylor and E. w. Eviie.
THE SIGN OF THE CRoss."-"The
Sign of the Cross" Wilson Barrett's re-
Hgious drama, which is now in it's third
American tour, is meeting everywhere with
even greater success than during any of it's
former engagements. 1t has played to two
weeks of standing room only at the
Academy of Music, Baltimore, a dramatic
feat that has probably never been accom-
piished by any other attraction. It will be
seen in this city very shortly.
town, but when a man goes there to take
in the sights, and leaves his common sense
at home, he is going to see fireworks, and
he will have to pay for the gunpowder.
This is the experience of the jay who
visits the metropolis in that sparkling
farce-comedy, ''Town Topics" which will
be seen at the Academy of Music next
week. He has lot of witty young men
who know the ropes and a bevy of the
most beautiful girls one could find any
where. The fun never stops in Town
Topics. for the play was created to make
you laugh, and it never flags in its mis-
sion Those three princes of comedy, John
w. World, Robert Garnela and William II.
Mack, at the head of the cast That
is a guarantee of the excellence of the COM
pany throughout, because they would not
allow their own good work to be handi-
capped by poor support.
VANITY FAIR."-"Vanity Fair" one Of
Gus Hills most notable successes, will be
the attraction at kernans Lyceum Theater
next week. The entertainment includes two
bright original buresques, between which
is sandwiched an olio of highciass special
ties, introducing a number of the best
known artists on the vaudeville stage. Mr..
Hill, who is now directing a number of
road enterprises, has spared neither pains
nor expense in Strengthening the Vanity
Fair" and the success with which 1t met
last season should be ample assurance of
the high standard of this years entertain
ment. A car load of scenic, mechanical and
electrical paraphernaia, together with cos
tunes of the richest design. bright, original
music and a multiplicity of novelties, gives
promise of show in keeping with Mr..
Hills former efforts.
MOVING WAR VIEWS.--The Edison
Wargraph moving pictures of the Spanish
American war meet with favor at their
exhibition hall next Columbia Theater. The
hoisting of the American flag at Cavite is
view of marked interest. The new scenes
have greatly improved the program. The
drilling of soldiers at Camp Alger. Virgin
ia, is spirited. The Cuban scenes hold the
interest. Benefits are popular. Instructive
and pleasant moments passed at the
daily exhibitions. Extra Saturday ana Sun
day matinee at 80
EXCURSIONS.