The times., 1899-04-04
Lafayc,,c-.,., nc,,c uc,rnr-


Were one to clcthe the statue OF Venus
With the Apple in cerise pink skirt cut
in bcx style and disteuded with crinoiine
the figure presented would attract untold
attention by reason of its novelty il SINH
lar effect IS produced when the my tho
/ logical opera. La Belle Helene. is
brought up to date and viyifed with the
most brilliant slang and plays on words
incidental to the end of the nineteenth
century. In this case. the statue was tre
work of the talented jacques Oifenbach
and the reha abiitating is the labor of one
Louis Harrison. The collaboratiye result,
while unique in the fullest sense of that
much abused term, Is nevertheless pleas
ing. Even the jaded Amusement-seeker
may find an evening OF entertainment in
La Belle Helene"
With full scenic investiture a COM
petent chorus. and well-known and popular
| principals. the presentation should take
high rank in local esteem. The audience
OF last evening was a typical Lafayette
| assemblage. refined, delighted at being d-
verted, appreciative OF the vocal efforts OF
the Offering organization. but listiess in
| applauding This statement is not de-
| tractiye to the work; indeed considering
| the reserve usually manifested by such a
gathering, the piece scored decided and
emphatic success.
the plot of ia Belle Helene" is a trifie
yapid. The original author consumed
| three acts in arranging for elopement
that Charles Klein or Harry Smith would
| have just as effectively accomplished in
two waltz songs and a few sly glances. All
| of which proves the progressive age in
which the theatre is existing
In the interpreting cast thirds OF the
calcium mans light and a full third Of the
| audiences attention was devoted to Lillian
Russell. a trifie less inclined TO e-nbonpoint
| than formerly and proportionally more
| con;ely. While afflicted with the laugucr in
variably manifested by prina doBnas. Miss
| Russell sings even better than when last
seen locally and scored heavily in several
| OF the vocal gems with which the score
| provides her. Equally attractive to the
feminine eye are the stars really mGgnif-
cent gowns and her wealth OF je vels
| Miss Russell is as charming TO the specta-
tor as she is to the auditor. Time still dis
courteously, but kindly, passes her by with
out notice.
Tis an old proyerb that precious goods
invariably come in small packages, and
this is again exemplifed in Edna Wallace
Hopper. There has been perceptible i'm
provement in this chic little woman since
her previous Washington engagement Her
| voice is strengthened and her dancing has
improved thousand per cent, CONNER
cially and artisticaliy considered. She
also effects patriotism and poker, the
united co!ors of her three. suits OF flesh
ings giving either "Old Glory" or a pile
of chips. although the web and woof OF
the last costume would not surpass greatly
the dimensions OF tine smallest OF Uncle
Sans banners or the lowest of stacks.
In other words. her dress reminds one of
a belt rather than OF a covering. IL IS
short above and still briefer below.
However Mrs. Hopper is one Of the few
women who make good looking boys. She
has two well-founded and fnely-deyeloped
reasons for adopting male attire.
While the librettist and Iyrist has given
Tom Seabrooke the best of lines and the
choicest of songs, the d.ol huIEor of the
man does not shine in c0Enpari-ou with the
really artistic impsrsonatioa OF Ferris
Hartman. Mr.. Hartman has been a
stranger to Washington for the last half
decade. but revived old memories of h :
greatness last night by his portrayal of
King Menalaus. His is the neatest as
sumption of an excellent part seen in
Washington for many long day. Not thlt
Mr.. Seabrooke is unworthy. Ore always
expects good things from him. and f-w
were disappointed. But compared with his
rival the star of THE Isle of Champa gne''
is not visible to the unsided eye.
Chief in Importance of the smaller roles
: is that taken by Joseph Miron, whose rich
basso is given single good opportunity
for display and scored as the best of the
evening. while Wesley Thompson, William
Philip, and Sol Solomon finish the list of
the adequately smaller characters. being
only fairly presented. The interpolated
: lines are bright. but not especially refined.
Mr.. Harrison has dug for gold and turning
up only gross he pointed to the unseemly
heap and glorified in his achievement.
: However, when compared with other comic
operas. lie Belle Helene" is 4 precious
mine of wit and humor