Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-19

Lafayette square Opera House in the play
OF DaVld Garrlck. preceded by the one.
| act SkctcA OF Barhara.' under the direc.
| ton of Mr.. Percy Winter,
| rms ambitious attempt was crucial
| TEST iof the young amateurs, and the man
| ner in which they acquitted themselves
elected unqualified praise from all the loc!.,
| papers, as well as the plaudits of an ex-
| ceedingly large audience
| Mr. A T. Seaman. who was made stage
manager, and Miss Anna Hathaway ioin-
ed the club during this winter
About this time Mr.. Augustin Daly. who
mas Always SHOWN a warm interest in the
| club, sent Mr.. Walsh his fine three-act
| comedy, "A Night Off" stating that thnv
mad his permission to produce it. The sug-
geSton was gladly accepted, and obtaining
the services Of Mr.. James J. SkeIly dra-
natlc instructor of reputation from Phila-
aeiphla, 1t was presented at the Lafayette
| Square Opera House January ~ 1897 with
a finish and perfection of detail that left
little room for adverse criticism
On May II, 1897, David Garrick" and
barbara were again given at the Co
iumbia Theater for the benefit of the ath-
letic association Of the Catholic University
by the same cast that had produced thesa
plays the previous year.
On December II. 1897 after many months
of careful preparation, the club produced
Lester Wallacks romantic play of Rose
dale at the Lafayette Square Opera House
under the direction of Mr.. Theo Friebus.
Jr. 1t scored a success as marked as that
ol DdNlu Garflck ana thoroughly dem
onStrated the results of long and careful
training.
During this season the club lost Mr..
Percy f. Leach, who was engaged by Mad
anne Rhea for leading comedy parts and
Miss Anita Hendrie, who joined Frank
Golfers company.
New Acquisitions.
Among the new members added were Mr.
Theodore Friebus jr whose excellence as
stage manager have proved very valuable;
Miss Alice h Irwin, whose rendition OF
the many trying characters she was called
upon to fill has elected warm praise from
competent critics; Miss Anna Pearl Evans
and Mrs. Florence b. Leach, who has been
identified with the best literary associations
Of Washington. She made pronounced
Lit as Sarah Sykes in "Rosedale." Miss
hathaway subsequently became member
of AuguStin Days company.
On February H. 1895 the club produced
Charles H. Planners charming ISL at
the Eiks' benefit at Columbia Theater.
1t was enthusiastically received by the
immense audience present at the benefit
ISL was again given October &c, 1898
During the present year the club has so
far presented only few one-act plays,
such as My Uncle's VIII and AT the
Hearth for local. objects, reservine its
energies for the production on a scale that
WI surpass all previous efforts of that
southern idyl rendered familiar by the
Frawley company, alabama 1t is un-
derined for the evening of Friday, May
10, at the Lafayette Square Opera House,
and those who have admired il al the CO.
lumbia Theater this spring will no doubt
be eager to see and compare it as rendered
by amateurs who have had such success
full history Mr. a. It. Seaman a prominent
member of the club, who it was thought
would not be able TO Appear in this pro-
ductiOn, has upon short notice accepted
the part of Mr.. Armstrong. The cast for
this production is: ,-}
Colonel Preston. an Fold planter E. j.
Walsh: Colonel Moberly,' relic of the con-
federacy George II. O'Connor: Squire
Tucker, Coosa county justice, VIM. S.
Mccarthy; Captain Davenport northern
railroad man. Daniel F. Murphy: Mr.. Arm
Rage, a southern boy z. w. Evans; Raw
mond Page, a party of business Finley 3.
Hayes; Decatur an ante-bellum servant
Percy f. Leach: Mrs. Page widow who
thinks twice, Miss Nettie Page: Mrs Stock
ton. another widow, Mrs Florence r.
Leach: Carey Preston, an Alabama blos-
som, Miss Alice X. Irwin: Atlanta MoberIv
the colonels daughter Mrs George Harris
Some new names will be noticed in the
list of players. Mr.. Percy F. Leach. who
takes the important part of Decatur. has
nad a successful season with the a q
seamon Company, and was specially en-
gagged for the production of ''Trilby' by
the Frawley Company here. Mr. Finley s
Hayes is q welI-known recitationist ava
mas played prominent parts in various
mateur companies. Mr.. Daniel F. Murphy |
was with the Thomas w. Keene COMPANY |
last year. Mr.. Frawiey is taking a lively |
interest in this production by the Institute |
Dramatic Club, and has given it the priv |
ileGe OF rehearsing in his theater and the |