The evening times., 1899-12-23
THINGS THEATRICAL.
National-.Tfe..'

Robert Fergan. John Blair
Michael Davernier. Frederick e. Lewis
rerdnand Naianton.. .......P. Augustus Anderson
Pauline Naanton.: Alice Harrington
'ie"e Eeisah..-... Florence Mann
The second Of John Blair's series Of spe-
cial matinees was given yesterday at the
National Theatre, the presentation being an
adaptation from the French, entitled
Ties" The play proved succession os
dreary platitudes, uninteresting unless one
began endeavoring to imagine why it ever
was written. single episode in the last
act made up the whole strength of the dra-
ma. Mr.. Blair contributed an intelligent,
but not overly capable impersonation of
one CT the principal characters, while Flor
ence Kahn, in the other, rose to her only
heights in the scene mentioned. The re-
mainder of the cast was poor The pro-
duction In no way was on par with that
of "El Gran Galeoto' and may do much to
injure the movement which Mr.. Blair be-
gan here auspiciously.
In one Of his idle hours, Manager Joseph
Luckett, of the Columbia, has traced out
singular coincidence relating to David
Beiasco's newest offering, which will be
done al that house on Monday. Naughty
Anthony" it seems, not only has its pre-
miere precisely a year after that OF ''Zaza,"
-ui. DcldsCO ulOSl TGSeul SUCCESS, Uul II
will fill Baltimore and New York dates
identical with those OF the Mrs. Leslie Car
ter vehicle. The people concerned in the
rendering of this comedy are raking up all
scrts Of precedents to show that Mr.. Luck
ett's find argues untold triumph for An
thony," and the Columbia is one place in
town where Joy reigns unconined." In
ciGentally, seats for the week have been
on sale since Thursday and still are selling.
Robert Mantell's vehicle, THE Dagger
and the Cross" which will be shown On
Monday evening at the Lafayette Square
Opera House. has something unusual to
offer in murder scenes. This episode oc
ours when the bastard of the play fights a
duel with his enemy. A man whom he has
wronged is hidden in hollow tree. from
which he watches the combat The enemy
aforesaid clearly is losing, when his an
tagonist slips and falls against the CHOSEN
place of concealment. The occupant OF
the hollow trunk draws a dagger and slabs
him. Skillful handling is said to have made
the climax a powerful aifair-one that
brings from three to five curtain calls
nightly. Certainly the idea is novel. moth
ing like it ever having been seen here.
Though the fact may not generally be
known outside of theatrical circles, it is a |
laCl IHdt tHe OTlBlHds VI tHe SoiuMu-d Ou |
the Dewey arch, in New York. is Maud !
Courtney. who will Sing the old songs |
during the coming week at the Grand. |
Miss Courtney was selected as model for |
the figure because Of her beautiful neck |
and arms. Charles Albert Lopez. the |
sculptor declared that never had he seen
more perfect ones. Miss Courtney. who is ,
very patriotic and equally entsrprising.
lent herself TO the work with enthusiasm.
though the time consumed was several
months She has as reward, however. a
in Gotham that will outlive
all the biIlboards and posters ever de-
signed. The singer and the artist ale
equally proud of that truth.
The first of this seasons series of Bur-
ton Holmes lectures will be given on next
Tuesday at the Columbia Theatre, the
topic selected being Manila" Mr.. Hol-
mes will not attempt to discuss the stu
ltion." but will describe the city in a man
ner that should be most interesting. The
discourse will be elaborately illustrated
with stereopticon slides and moving pic
lures.
At Guzman's. the sale of seats for the
'eproiuction Of the Jeffries Sharkey fight,
which is 10 be shown next week at Conven-
lion Hall. is progressing satisfactorily.
The pictures are said to be perfect in de-
ail and those who see them are guaran-
he exhibition is packing Gilmore's Au-
litorium, in Philadelphia, to the doors.
Al Reeves, whose company will be next
weeks attraction at Kernan's. claims that
he troupes ne carries are always of the
best. This year Mr.. Reeves heads an or
yanization which includes, besides himself,
such people as Inez Mecusker, prima dom
Ia Hendrix and Prescott. dancers; Will
ans and Leland, mirthmakers from Cali
'ornia: Fannie Fern Thatcher, vocalist:
Celeste and Balls. soubrettes: the Griffin
Sisters. serio-comics; George Titchner and
larry Cheatham, rib-ticklers, and The
1spanola Male Quartette." A minstrel first
part and burlesque, entitled Admiral
Dewey Dandy" also are TO be introduced.
The performances probably will be pleas
ng and good business should be done.