The times., 1899-01-11
THINGS THEATRICAL.

THINGS THEATRICAL.
The considerations that enter into any
form of equitable criticism are always
many, but they have probably never been
more numerous than in the case OF the
Lyceum Theater Stock Companys produc-
ton of Jim. the Penman, as it was
shown last night at the Grand Opera
House. Primarily one must realize before
condemning that the prices charged for
the performance were on the scale univer
sally known as popular Judged by the
standard of other attractions seen here at
the same rates, the presentation was un-
deuiably good. On the other hand. the re-
viewer-whether professional or amateur
would do well to remember that the enter
tainment took place in what is to be a
first-class place of amusement and that it
had been advertised as being itself of the
first class. Judged from this point OF view
the rendering given Charles Youngs old
play was very bad. The limitations OF an
organization which changes its bill weekly
may also be recalled and met with a
statement to the effect that, while time
had been given the Lyceum people to spe
cially exert themselves before appearing
locally, the offerings of our own Summer
combinations were infinitely superior to
that of yester-evening.
The charity due to young John Aibaugh,
the son OF a man who was for many years
prominently identified with Washington
theatrical affairs, is largely annulled
when it is considered that this same man.
ager seems to have taken no great pains
to give the worth of their money to the
patrons who awaited him in this city. A
very little care on his part and on that Of
his assistants might have eliminated many
of the worst faults in the production. Had
any employe of the Frohmans or OF DAILY
or even of such directors as Smyth and
Rice appeared at dress rehearsal and
there exhibited as complete Ignorance of
his work as that shown last night he would
have stood an excellent chance of receiv-
| ing two weeks notice. Mr.. Albaugh's acS-
ors and actresses not only stuck in their
lines frequently and were audibly assisted
by the prompter. but they tripped and
were tangled up in most of the speeches
they seemed TO know. Though many of
the individual roles We're wonderfully we'll
| done. other and important ones We're
placed in the hands of people so poor that
the house did not hesitate to laugh at
! their efforts.
Jim the Penman' is piece that has
not as yet outlived its usefulness. Though
| the phrases seem stilted and the con-
struceion strange in these days, it marked
| an era in its own time and afforded a
| foundation for such notable successors as
"A Partisan Romance and "A Social
| Highwayman. The plot is a strong one
and is ingeniously told-told in 4 manner
that pits against one another the people,
| who under ordinary conditions, would be
most held together; told in lights and
| shades and with the most forceful OF con-
| trasts; told so that every possible Incl
| dent and episode are evolved from its
| story. 1t was the first product in which
Elrs ftTI V.l.a.sN 4ifrl,t
| suspense by refusing to share his theme
! with audiences before the curtain had
! fallen on his first act. Even in its old
age. Jim the Perman'' has been done by
| so many worthy companies that a state
/ ment TO the effect that the one seen last
/ night was the worst to have brought The
piece here is not so scathing as it seems
| AS has been said, some Of the indi-
| vidual characteriZatiOns We're notably
meritorious. Miss Remark made an ad-
mirable Mrs. RalstOn, her work being con-
| sistent and artistic, while her stronger
scenes showed her to be possessed of more
| than ordinary emotional powers. She is,
moreover, charming woman and made
| her role doubly sympathetic by her per-
! sonalty. Miss Bradley was also fair
| Lady Dunscombe, and Miss Franklyn
proved to be one of the most intelligent.
! winning cleved Agneses ever seen here.
Mr.. Albaugh established his conspicuous
ability in the well-itting part OF Drelin-
court, as did Mr.. Winter in that OF Cap
| tain Redwood. Mr.. Coopers Baron was
not surprising One-nOt such a one as
Frank Mordaunt might have given-but il
was still natural and fOrceful without
being the distorted creation so often seen
Here the roll of honor ends.
Mr.. Flood. who appeared in the imper-
sonation formerly assumed with so much
credit by l.. S. Willard and Charles Pitt
wore haunted expression and a careless
makeup through the performance with
out effect. There was only one worse
actor than he in the cast, and that was
Mr.. Grattan, poseur of the aJmes X
| Hackett type, who mouthed and ranted
without discretion or reason, and whose
prototype in real life would speedily have
been consigned to a lunatic asylum Mr.
| Dwyer made the son as ridiculously juve-
nile as he is generally drawn, while Mr
Craven. Mr.. Binford. Miss Rivers Mr.
Slater and Mr. Wahle were all founG
lacking.
The company worked hard and con.
scientiously. The stage direction shown
was notably accurate. and the perform.
ance frequently exhibited signs OF grea
strength. especially in moments when thu
better people in the cast were on tn,
stage. But the organization is not up tC
the average and will not be until NOR,
time and three or four more capably play
| ers are given to its productions