The times., 1899-03-26

That the theatrical season is really
drawing to a close was proven to great
extent by the condition of affairs last week
in Washington With one of the local
houses closed and five of the remaining
six devoted to rather meritless attractions,
the earnest amusement-seekerm must have
felt as though the cold and wet were de-
ceptiye when taken as arguments that sum-
mer had not yet arrived. The aforesaid
amusement-seeker was very careful during
the six days Just gone. however, and In
consequence none of the places of enter
tainment open did an astonishing busi-
ness. Perhaps the best treated of the COM
binations in town was that which present.
ed Hoyt's "A Stranger in New York, at
the National. Though never well filled,
Manager Rapley's auditorium certainly did
not suffer the degree of emptiness noted
elsewhere. very poor company murdered
Hotel Topsy Turvy," at the Columbia,
and on no occasion was there a sufficient
number of people present 10 lend assistance
to either play or players. The alleged
"Bfll Nye Comedy offered at the Acad-
envy. under the title of Johnny on the
Spot" drew very small audiences, while
fair vaudeville bill had no better luck at
the Grand. and the Clark Brothers Roy
al Burlesquers" did not do an exceptional
business at Kernan's. Flo Irwin and other
clever variety people enabled Manager
Grieves TO continue in his belief that either
he has been a mascot" for the Bijou or
the Biiou a mascot" for him. AS rule
the performances booked here were bad
and the assemblies brought together by
them worse still.
Tomorrow night there will be two local
theatres closed instead of one, and, while
The Columbia opens again on Tuesday,
with Burton Holmes as its card, the La
fsyette Square Opera House continues dark
for another six days. The fact that this
is Holy Week and that many of the organi-
cations dated here promise little more
than did their predecessors makes the out
look for managerial profit slim. With a
single exception none of the plays to be
seen has the merit of newness. An organi-
zation in which are included Hilda Clark
Christie Macdonald, and Albert Hart
brings Sousa's Bride Elect" to the Ma
iionaI. and a rather notable company is to
be seen in ''Tbe White Heather" melo-
drama. written by the authors of THE
Sporting Duchess" at the Academy. Then
Mr.. Holmes. who has gained considerable
reputation as the follower of John l. Stod-
dard. revis.ts Washington and will give a
series of lectures at the Columbia. He
will be heard Tuesday evening and at the
Saturday matinee Oh THE Grand Canyon
Of Arizona" Wednesday on THE Hawaii
an Islands, Thursday on "Fez, the Me-
tropolis OF the Moors," Friday on Gre
clan Journeys" and Saturday night on
The Yellowstone National Park Pau
line Hall heads what seems to be an ad-
mirable bill at the Grand, the Rentz- SAINT
ley Burlesque Company scores return
date at Kernan's and the usual series of
performances will be given at the Bijou.
The Sunday concert craze which seems
10 have reached its height with less rea-
son and fewer results than are vouchsafed
most craZes. provides number of enter
iainments tonight Moving pictures of the
Hotel Windsor fire will be shown at Ker-
mans. and the usual performances will be
given at the Grand and Bijou.