Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-26
ADJUSTMENTS.

Mr.. Robert DOWNING VINO mas long Deen q
prominent figure of the classic stage in the
United States, made his eagerly anticipated
transition to the lighter roles Of romantic
drama last night in IAN Indiana Ro-
NANCE" play in four acts. dealing with
the plain folks of the hoosier state. His
success before an exceptionally large au-
dience, considering the stormy conditions
prevailing, was unqualified, and at The end
of the third act Mr.. Downing was called
before the curtain many times. Finally, he
yielded. and made graceful speech thank
ing his audience for its kindness and ap-
probation. The speech was one of the fea-
lures of the evening, and was far and away
above any like effort heard in Washington
for months. Mr.. Downing vas evidently
in the happiest frame of mind over the sue
cess of his debut in romance and his de-
Light shone forth Enthusiastically in tho cur
tain speech. The actor was smiling, and
was gratified, too. If every audience is as
friendly as that of last night at the La
fayette Mr.. Downings tour will be one
grand l, chain of triumphs The play pleased
the people in front. 1t was written by q
young man named J. G. Nugent, who has
lived in the west, and has made study of
the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of the
people of Indiana. He has evolved a
charming little romance, about which il
wound deal of humor and pathos. In the
mouths of his characters he has placed an
abundance of witty lines. The characters
has undoubtedly selected the most interest
ing of the people with whom he has been
thrown. The plot is kept well in hand.
with enough side issues to keep up an in
tense interest and excitement. the strain of
the more serious action being interru pied
here and there with bright flashes of keen
wit or amusing circumstance.
Mr.. Downing has surrounded himself
with an admirable company, the play being
interpreted in the best possible manner.
The star has the part of an honest young
farmer. lone of Lincolns kind" He is
upright, honest, conscientious, with little
use for the frills and furbelows of life. Mr..
Downing acts Sam Hickey with a grace
and ease and modesty that was most sat
lsfylnS. There was nothing of the robust
stage he has but recently left in the inter-
for. and did it with a skill and thorough
understanding. Miss Lucia Moore has the
leading feminine role, the young wife of
Hickey. She is sympathetic and earnest
honors with Mr.. Downing. j. Francis
Kirke has the Villains role, the drug store
feller.' which he carries fairly well only.
Herman A. Sheldon as the professor of the
Mr.. krke divides the comedy work with
Morris McHugh, who, as Cyrus, funny
old countryman, IAN Independent cuss,"
cOnyulses the audience with his action and
speech. In the second act of the piece
Baby Keith introduced coon song and
dancing speciality that scored quite a hit.
NATIONAL THEATER- THE School for
Scandal" Sheridans most brilliant comedy,
was enjoyed by a good-sized audience at
the National Theater last night. This com
edy has been rarely seen in recent years
the chief exponent of Lady Teazle within
the memory of the present generation hav-
ing been Miss Ada Rehan. the production
having been given by the late Augustin
DAILY and his admirable company. While
perhaps some details remembered in the
nights presentation, still there was every
effort made to give atmosphere to the per-
Torrance both in scenery and costumes,
as well in the Interpretation of the
characters and the delivery of the lines.
The tristan combination as 1t is called,
consisting of Messrs. Louis James, Charles
b. Hanford and Miss Kathryn kidder, is
supported by excellent company, in
which are some who in their early days
played in the comedy in other parts than
they interpreted last night. Harry Lang
don and John Ellsler have probably done
Charles Surface and Joseph instead of Sir
Peter and Sir Oliver. and it is for that
reason that their performances OF the two
old men We're given with such care and
discrimination. Mr.. Langdon's Sir Peter
lacked some of the finish that character
lied the work of VIM. Warren and John
Gilbert in the part, but it was an excellent
effort and received just appreciation from
the audience. Mr.. Ellsler's Sir Oliver was
the best ever seen in this city. Next in
point of excellence to these two was Mrs.
Vandenhoff as Mrs. Candour. She seemed
to thoroughly comprehend the character
and delivered all her speeches with lntelll-
gence and effect.
The three stars were seen, respectively.
as Charles Surface, Joseph Surface and
Lady Teazle Mr.. James hardly realized
to the eye the dashing, reckless young
blade that Sheridan drew, but his imperson-
alton was an exceedingly good one. His
laugh was infectious, and he carried MIN
self with an easy grace that showed ms
versatility for 1t is hardly to be expected
that a man who plays Macbeth well would
be equally at home in light comedy. The
only real fault to be found with MIR. James
was the persfstency with which he called
his brother Joe" No such nickname Of
Joseph is found in the book. Joseph Surface
was too complete hypocrite, and he sur
ROUNDS himself with such a mantle of out
ward goodness and rectitude, that not even
his own brother would dare to call him Joe.
Besides. in Sheridan's day, dminutives of
Christian names were not used. Mr. Han
fords Joseph was technically well played,
but 1t is part in which he has no sym
pathy and he fails to bring out the sub
tletes of the character. which is the most
perfect realization of hypocrisy in dramatic
literature. Mr.. Hanfords work was praise
worthy, however, and was the best pre-
sentation of the character that has been
seen in many years. Miss kidder was ad-
mirable as Lady Teazle from the screen
scene out. Before that however she was
too kittenish Although Lady Teazle had
b
rage. she developed very rapidly into "A
lady of fashion, and may be supposed. even
with all her youth and buoyancy of spirits,
to have attained some degree of dignity of
carriage, and not to have skipped around
the stage like a hoyden of sixteen. The
minor characters were well filled, except
Moses, who overdid the part.
The present generation has not had many
opportunities to see this fine old comedy,
and it should draw big audiences at its
every representation by this admirable
company. The shortcomings are few
and may be easily overcome, and 1t
is not likely that the play will be well
again in many years. The
most notable cast of 1.-The School for Scan
Dial" that the writer remembers was one at
the Howard Athenaeum In Boston years
ago, with E. l.. Davenport as Charles Sur
face, Jas. w. Wallack, jr., as Joseph, Mrs.
Barry Lady Teazle. Mrs. Walack
Mrs. Candour, Mrs. Davenport as Lady
Sneerwell Dan Setchel as Crabtree, J. A.
Smith, as Sir Benjamin Backbite; w. H.
Curtis as Sir Peter, Frank Hardenbugh as
Sir Oliver, and Laura LIE Claire as Maria.
Many of these names are simple memories
now, but the performance was great one.
COLUMBIA Observation-Disclosures was no
pc rformance at the Columbia Theater last
evening owing to the death of Mr.. Creston
Clarke's father. Hamlet" which was to
have been presented last night, will be given
tonight, with Mr. Clarke in the title role.
= hill for he Of no will