Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-16
ADJUSTMENTS.

FraWley Company performances Hes In
the frequency and facility with which re-
sponsbilities are shifted. One after anoth-
er the principal members of the organiza-
ton have stepped to the center of the stage
and scored 1.-The hit of the evening Last
night it was Mr.. Charles Kings turn to be-
come the figure of first Importance, the oc-
casion being the production of Sweet Law
ender.' The play Is one whose brilliancy
Of conversation and truthful character de-
lineation more than compensate for any
tendency in the story to drift to the COM
monpace. There are numerous tempta-
tons in this piece to overdo Some of the
scenes invite excessive displays of senti-
mentality, while others are calculated to
lure the performer into unconscious bur-
lesque. But from the title role, eXquisitely
played by Miss Georgia Welles to the most
remote member of the cast, everything was
judiciousy managed, and the comedy was
vigorously kept from getting into the
wrong place. The average of merit was re-
mark ably high, but in spite of the complete
grace with which Miss Georgia .Velles
played the title role, and the other feature
OF noteworthy excellence, it is Mr.. Kings
presentation of the character of Dick
Phenyl, to which memory clings most tena-
cfously. The middle-aged barrfster whose
intellectual powers and cultivated manners
have gone to waste through his fondness
LOT hqoor, throws a CLEAN Of Dickens
across the stage His affection for the
manly young Clement Hale (played by Mr.
Aifred Hiekman) well as for Lavender
herself is touching in its devotion and his
eiabofate courtesies are the expressions of
a nature which failed In life not because it
was to preserve, but because it was too
fine and too capable of self-effacement
AS study In character, Richard Phenyl
is a masterpiece, and Mr.. Kings interpreta-
ton OF the creation is singularly happy. His
artistic discretion was shown in that al
ways dangerous episode, the yielding of
drunkard to his besetting vice. Audiences,
ike actors, learn to take their cues, and
trir hos r~in,n
when man of shabby attire proceeds to
hold communion with bottle the occasion
is one of mirth. Therefore. when Mr. Rich
ard Phenyl reached for the decanter after
struggle with conscience, devoted friends
in the audience feared for him. But he
preserved the pathos Of the incident and
lifted 1t well above the atmosphere of cheap
MARTY, which, regardless of Intention such
a scene usually invites. He is one of the
most graceful, lovable inebriates since Rip
Van Wrinkle, and has the advantage of
certain social graces which Rip did not
possess. Yet, strongly as Richard Phenyl
entrenches himself in the spectators af-
lection. 1t would be unfair to convey the
impression that 1t was a one-part produc-
ton.
Miss Selene johnson has a character
which suits her temperament, blending as
1t does, artless piquancy with womanly
dignity. Mr.. Alfred Hickman, as usual,
played the part of the very young person
VINO is very much in love. The average
conception of such character seems to
be that he shall look like lamb and act
like donkey. Mr.. Hickman gets well away
from this and makes a lover whose at
tachment, though juvenile is sincere and
manly. Mr.. Harrington Reynolds imper-
sonation of the aristocratic father with
past was an Improvement on his previous
good work. He realized the prosperous man
of middle age admirably.
Mr.. Frawley played a part whose respon-
slblllties in connection with the story are
not I,,t Il,
enjoyable comedy to the fund of entertain
ment. One of the largest audiences of the
FraWley season was present to witness one
of the best productions.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER-All is in
readiness at the New National for the ini-
tial production of My Cousin tonight,
with great cast headed by Mile. Pillar
NORM. The play was to have been done
last night, but final dress rehearsal was
deemed advisable. This was had last night
and everything worked smoothly. Much
interest is attached to the opening per-
Torrance If the play is well received here
it will be taken to New York for a season.
KERNAN'S LYCEJM THEATER-Ther
is room for much Improvement in the per
Torrance presented this week at kernan's
by the Broadway Burlesquers. The man
agement wisely does away with the regula-
ton opening burlesque and presents in rapid
succession without delay the Olio, which in
Guides several excellent artists. Merritt
and Rozella open with ten minutes of aero
batic eccentricities, and give way to the
Mitchell Sisters, who sing and dance in in
different style. Smith and Cook are really
the feature of the performance They use
much of the old business which first
brought them into prominence, but are,
nevertheless, very funny. LIE clair ana
Leslie as a team are disappointing Mr..
Leslie does some excellent initiating OF we'll
known actors. Mr.. lie Clair is very tire
some in his female representations. He
uses the same old business, which never
was acceptable. The people are tired Of
the female impersonator and would like to
see the character rclegated to the past.
Bennett and Rich illustrate in clever
manner some new rag-time songs and win
hearty applause. a buTiesque Of passing
interest, entitled Gay Monte Carlo,
closes the performance. The character OF
Mike Klutzmeyer by Dave Lewis Is well
done, and Marie Richmond leads a coterie
of pretty and shapely girls. The big benefit
to Manager Herman takes place June D.
BIJOU THEATER.-There is lots of fun
at the Bijou this week. A long and enter
tanning program disposes of two and half
hours in a jiffy, and everybody goes away
we'll pleased. The opening melange by the
Bijou Stock Company Is enjoyable. The
old favorites have made happy selections
this week in their songs. with the result
that again the opening portion OF the pro-
gram is the feature. A bit of the tuneful
opera of The Pirates of Penzance' is
given. Annie Garter, that ever popular
artist, who is good no matter where she is,
shines Respondent in her portion of the
program. Sam Adams forsakes the comedy
end of the business and sings in serious
vein " Mid the Green Fields of Virginia"
Sam is another one of those actors who is
good in everything he undertakes. He
would excel if he only confined his efforts
to the legitimate. Bry and Savile, those
old-timers who have brought smiles from
thousands, contribute a musical act with
some of the business they used five years
ago Pert and Sophie Leslie are pleasing
in their contribution. Grover and Thropp
assisted by May Noble, present a sketch
the least said of which the better. Sam
Drane, local negro impersonator was
acceptable, and Riley and Hughes were
clever in a plantation sketch. The wire
walking and Juggling Of Kitty Harbeck was
a feature.
DAMROSCH SOC1ETY'S CONCERT
The closing concert of the Damrosch Socie-
tvs fifth season will be given tomorrow
evening at the Lafayette Square Opera
House. This organization has become, in
the few years of its existence, one of the
representative musical societies of the ma
tional capital, and its entertainments and
evenings are looked forward to with no lit