The times., 1899-04-04
AT THE THEATRES.
CoIumbia-..TriIby."

That philosophical biblical adage which
pertains TO the blessed state of those who
expect little and are invariably surprised
by receiving almost everything left out
of thei ranticipations failed to operate last
night at the Columbia Theater. The ex-
ceedingly large audience which witnessed
"Trilby' believed that 1t was to get great
deal and got it. While this action on the
part of T. Daniel Frawley and his organi-
zation may have been and doubtless was
rather disrespectful the sacrilsge seemed
TO please the gathering immensely and
bursts CT applause were as many through
the evening as speakers at woman's
meeting. Briefly. the -eason was most
auspiciously begun and with the greatest
OF promise to all concerned.
From the viewpoint of critic it is
rather difficult to judge the performance
Of 'Trilby'' given by the present cast. The
small prices asked and the nature OF the
combination recommend leniency in treat
/ ing its work. while the promises spoken
concerning the productions to be made
and a managerial disclaimer that this IS
stock company" suggest most careful
review. Certainly the presentation of last
night makes it unnecessary to be charit
able in dealing with the troupe. Only the
pcor require such assistance, and the new
combination which holds the boards at the
| Columbia is rich in talent. rich in expert
ence. rich in repertoire. and rich in the
enterprise and cleverness of its directors.
A thoughtless individual is the one per-
son who conuid expect OF such band OF
players as the one under consideration
performance of "Trilby' equal to that Civ
en- by the marvellous organization which
originally appeared at the Garden Theatre.
and only n meaningless enthusiast could
declare that the rendering shown here does
( equal the predecessor. But. on the other
band. he were indeed querulous who did
not allow that the production of yester-
evening was as smooth in its ensemble la
Dor and as strong in its personal endeavor
as could be dssired-a production ccmpar-
able to that seen at the Garden and superb
or to any other
Mr.. Potter's powerful dramatization OF
George Du Maurier's famous rovel-old
here from thrice repeated engagement,
and new because of its intrinsic worth
is weIl cast at the Columbia. staged with
proper scenery and costumes. played in a
manner that shows careful coaching. and
is otherwise most meritoriously done.
There are faults, but they are small ones.
Burr Mcintosh and Alfred Hickman im-
personate Big Taffy and Little Biilee as Of
yore, neither being amenable to criticism
because each created the standard by which
he must be judged. Then Myron Calice is
the Laird and mighty good one when he
| doesn't forget his Scotch dialect. while
| George Traders Zou Zou is consistent
and able Characterization and George
! Gaston's Dr. Bagot one of the most laugh
able sketches recently seen in Washing
| ton. The Syengali Of John Kellard de-
serves more than passing mention Hard
| ly as fine and as true as was that of Wilton
| Lackaye. il is great improvement on the
copy by Reuben Fax-an intelligent and
conscientious effort MIR. Kellard does not
seem as yet to realize the grim humor OF
| the hypnotist. but he understands how to
| horrify. and perhaps that is the more im-
portant. Certainly his portrayal is meta
| bic.
| AS much may not be said of the Triiby
of Mary Van Buren. who is good to look
upon even when one considers the enthu-
siasm with which she was heralded. Miss
Van Buren is technically an admirable fol-
lower of Blanche Walsh. Edith Crane, and
Virginia Harmed. But her Trilby is me-
chanical and feelingless-adequata but not
worthy of much mention. Godfrey Stein
as Gecko does the first serious work he has
recently attempted His representation OF
the fiery manly. but still humble violinist
is a masterpiece of character acting. Stead
| lily accumulative in strength, it reaches its
climax at the end of the third act and be-
| comes really wonderful. The Nine. Wizard
of Nine. Cottrelly and the Mrs. Bagot oi
Mrs. F. NJ Bates are perfect portions of as
nearly perfect a performance OF its sort as
has ever been given in Washington.