The evening times., 1899-02-07
NatIonsI-"The Little Minister"

Something more than a year ago The
Little Minister received its baptism of
fire in this city. To only the most o1ser-
want and far seeing did there seem aught
but failure in prospect for the Scottish
comedy, yet the consummate genius of
Maude Adams, coupled with a careful
pruning and condensing, has turned the
apparent disastrous defeat into one OF tne
most notable theatrical triumphs OF the
decade The dainty little star returned to
Washington last evening and was gre ted
at the National by an audience that sur
passed in numbers the people drawn dur
ing the entire engagement OF former sea-
son. 1t was fashionable, crit. cal, liter
AIRY assembly such as only this of all tie
metropolises of the continent can furnish.
Withal, it was appreciative and Miss
Adams-in this twelve month and more of
success-has never faced a more friendly
or sincerely demonstrative gathering.
There is little new TO be said of The
Little Minister other than what ar ses
from comparing its present merits with its
former dement's. The company seen in
support is practically the same that it was
when organized, and were it different lit
tie note would be take of the alteration. 1t
is over Miss Adams and Miss Adams alone
who has secured in brief six SEASONS
what so few obtain in the span of life
time, that The Little Minister owes its
popularity. Graceful, 1.-THE, and natural,
she embodies all the essentials of a sue
cessful star OF the new school, for happily
the day is past in which tragedy alone can
produces actresses of stellar magnitude
1t is difficult to describe in cold type the
sensation Miss Adams produces in even the
most skeptical critic She gives a touch
of nature SO rare that it reminds one of
the fresh, healthful odor OF wild Eosegay
amid hothouse OF fragile and sickly bios
SONS. Her portrayal is breath from the
woods. from the highlands. from the sea-
shore, from anywhere that nature reigns
supreme. Miss Adams is always Babbie
and Babbie is invariably nature. Intense
in her little love scenes-terribly in ear
nest, too-effervescing in her humor and
refreshing in her comedy. dramatic and
potent in her one really strong s:nse, this
clever woman takes high rank with those
great artists who have gone before.
Were one inclined to be facetious he
might say many bright things about the
Captain Halliwell of George Irving. for
the impersonatton certainly is most Vul-
nerable Mr.. Irving is inclined to be
Hackettish-tragedy-q -queenish, in brief.
There is little opportunity for such an tx
hlbltlon IN the role, ana yet he leaps at
every chance. a thorough toning down of
several of his scenes, especially of one in
the third act, would be appreciated. With
few exceptions, Robert Edeson is good in
the title part, and at no time is he disgleas-
ing. Margaret Gordon is as sincere as a
maid can be, her accent and manner being
in keeping, while Jessie Mackaye scored
as heavily as possible in bit so light as
that given her. The young woman pos
sesses true genius, and her dialogue with
Miss Adams in the second act of the play
will be recalled as one Of the very best
things of the entire evening. But. after
all, the intense forceful characterization
of Bob Dow, contributed by George Faw-
cett, takes rank Immediately succeeding
that of Babbie. Valued because so rare
the great reserve strength Of the portrayal
shows in strong relief against the back
ground of the hyper-religious elders.
Heavy and elaborate scenery adds atmos-
phere TO the production. There will be
two matineeS.