Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-21

efforts of two young lovers to outwit Yam
kes mother-in-law 50 as to get possession
OF the wife's marriage settlement. A fake
quarrel and divorce are hit upon. as the set
Element provides that when single the wife
will have full control of her securities. The
clandestine meetings between husband and
wife during the period their case is in court
gives rise to all sorts of rumorS regarding
both. Just as things are working beauti
fully, divorce in sight, the possession Of
wealth and a remarriage in luxury, the
scheme is discovered and the divorce pro-
ceedfngS declared off. Then, as bad luck
will have it, an old flame of the young hus-
band, music hall girl named Fiji gets
word of the fake note written her for evil
dence In the divorce case, thinks it genuine
and moves bag and baggage into the huS
bands bachelor. or widOwer apartments.
She is discovered there, and then the young
wife wishes divorce in reality, but her
mother and father-n-law believe another
fake is being perpetrated and Will not listen
to her. Around this briefly outlined plot
are woven a series of ingenious situations
and exceptionally clever bits of stage bust
ness. In fact, the farce teens with bright
ness and originality. So much so that even
the representative must forgive the few
flights into the French atmosphere. The
acting is as bright and bristing as the
play itself the cast being notable. Au-
brey B0uCicault as the young husband
does about the best work of his latter
day career. while Marie Wainwright as the
Boston mother is exceedingly clever. These
two players have their names on the pro-
gram in black type, but there are others
in the cast entitled to such distinction. Miss
Jeanette Lowrie is as pretty and attrac-
tive the young wife could be- She
speaks her lines with a piquancy and fetch
mess most enucing. Thomas III. burns, as
the father of the young husband, an indi-
gent duke, and Dore Davidson, as Israel
Mendoza, the money lender, divide honors
with the others mentioned in their charac-
ter work. Miss Alice Judson as Fiji has
but little to do but that little she does
well. She was warmly welcomed last night
and her well-rendered little song in the
second act was enthusiastically applauded.
All Of the cast work with life and en-
thusiasm.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-old friends of
"McFaddens Row of Flats were treated
to q genuine surprise last night a. the
Academy of Music, when this bowling farce
WAS presented with new and elaborate
scenery and company that fs entitled to
considerable credit in possessing real tai
ent that made the presentation enjoyable.
The farce has very few points to praise, and
for this reason unusual efforts by the ac-
tors had to be put forth to make 1t sue
cessful. Proprietor Gus Hill has secured
a company of all around excellence and as
a result there were very few minutes of
dullness. The bright particular star of the
evening was clever little Nette DeCoursey,
who played the part Of Mary Ellen with
unusual spirit and humOr, and in addition
frightened things up wonderfully with her
catchy dancing and good singing. Miss
DeCOursey has been one Of the leaders in
the variety ranks for several seasons past,
and this season is her first in the leglti-
mate. Paul Quinn had the title character
of McFadden. and his work was on the le-
Ultimate lines, and the humor of the char
aCter was enhanced. The four emperors
of musiC-HOward, Russell Edwards ana
Whiting-ably assisted in different charac-
ter parts, and scored heavily In their spe-
cialty. Harry Watson as the tramp gave
bicycle speciality that brought forth APP
plause, and his appearance in the different
scenes always brought forth laughter. The
mischievous kids George and Alex, were
played by Bobby Ralston and w. Robin
son, and in addition to their ludicrous
makeup acted with the right spirit. Mrs.
Lizzie Conway had the difficult role Of Mrs
Murphy. but her dressing Of the character
was exceedingly droll and cleverly inter-
preted. The remaining members OF the
company were satisfactory. The scenery
was elaborate and in good taste. the chorus
girls pretty and entertaining in songs and
dances and the entertainment as a whole
can be summed up as excellent.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.-The most dra-
matte incident at the Grand Opera House
last evening was the kissing when Admiral
Dewey's picture was thrown on the screen
during the biOgraph presentations. When
the Wcll-knoWn features of the naval hero
were thrown upon the screen there was
moment $ sileLce, followed BY some feeble
applause mingled with a perfect storm of
Kisses. The bill at the Grand this week
contains some good things and few which
are barely passable. For one thing, the bill
is too long drawn out. 1t was II o'clock
when the curtain fe.l, and one speciality,
the Jack Marshall Quintet, was closed after
the afternoon performance. Nell Burgess
could improve his sketch most decidedly
by shortening 1t materially. Although Mr..
Burgess is recognized as an entertainer Of
decided ability and judgment, there was
ynI ovid. m hn arr Of ha n
ence last night that IT was slightly sur
feited with the widow business. Gerald
Griffin and company in i.ence is Golden"
the other paylet on the bill, gave a pleas
ing performance. Miss Lydia Knott and
Charles Drake, who make up the company
gave Mr.. Griffin support Of more than or
binary cleverness. The bill opens with Mad
dox and Wayne, who ara alluded TO in the
program as a pair of aces They do a
clever and entertaining turn in the comic
line with some fair dancing on the side.
Adele Purvis Onrt poses on the slack wire.
tUggIeS balls, knives and bells while NOV
ing about on a big sphere, which she ma
nipuiates with her feet. She finishes with
a serpentine dance In multi-colOred light,
which was perhaps the most highly ap-
preciated by the audience of any piece of
work on the bill Billy Link made q ques-
tiOnable hit by playing practical joke on
his audience. While singing a not altogether
attractive song called Rubber Neck he
has a couple Of COnfederates create fake
disturbance in the audience Just back of
the orchestra. OF course every spectator
turns to see what the trouble is about and
they are recalled to their senses by hearing
the echo, rubber neck" float out from the
wing into which the singer has temporarily
disappeared. Doherty's white poodle circus
though 1t has been seen here several times
scored another success with the audience
last night. The program concludes with
some very entertaining biOgraph pictures
KERNAN'S LYCETM THEATER.-It Is
only by comparison that one enjoys good
things. There is excellent opportunity at
Kernan's this week to compare the Offering
Of Weber's Dainty Duchess Company with
the bill of last week. The program pre-
scented is one that appeals to every taste
and Its arrangement shows careful thought
only possible in a manager alive to the
situation. All kinds of entertainment is
given, and the burlesque has considerable
merit. bill of specialtes was first Of
fered, and SWOr and DeVoe were called
upon to open. Theirs was a cOntortiOn
acrobatic turn and went well. Then came
the Clerise sisters, whose musical efforts
found appreciation in several encores
Letta Meredith posed her graceful form
while the stereopticOn man made her more
effectively beautiful with butterfly and
other adornments. The California come
dians, McCree and Trayers, new faces in
the east, presented the best character
sketch in time '''Tba IA 90 nd