Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-10
ADJUSTMENTS.

NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-Tne as
ISOLATION of George Primrose and Lew
Dcckstader in burnt cork masquerade IS
assurance of combination of the best that
is left of the artistic minstrelsy OF other
days with advanced specialties that are
good in themselves, but which would be
more home-hke under a circus tent. The
public confidence in these premiers in light
entertainment was attested at the Ma
tional Theater last night by the presence
of an audience that was almost overnoW-
ing, and the marks of appreciation were
hearty and manifestly heartfelt. The stage
setting in the first part was dream In
scenic design, and the seating of the per-
formers was a graceful, though somewhat
spectacular, innovation. The "old timers
who talk about the palmy days of minstrel
attractions, as they do of the drama be-
fore it degenerated into real saw-mills and
swimming tanks, were delighted to see
every man with his face "corked,' and to
read on the program promise of a measure
of the sweet singing that used to be an
essential AS to the vocalism they were not
disappointed, though the success in this de-
partment was not equal to that OF the
comedians and dancers.
Manuel Roman and w. II. Thompson car
ried off the honors in the sentimental sing
ing, and the sincerity of the reception they
had was plain proof that the management
might introduce more of that sort of work
with satisfaction to their patrons and profit
to themselves Lew Sully and Jimmy Wall
appeared on the ends during three or four
numbers of the first part, and did 50 well
that the audience would have been glad TO
have more of them before the appearance
of Primrose and Dockstader themselves,
who made their bows in q storm of wei
come that must have made them feel ike
heroes of the war.
Primrose has graduated from a neat
song ambulance man into a talking come
dian of commanding qualities, fully equal
to the demands now made on the end man
in the multiplicity of things to be done:
Mr.. Primrose also gave most graceful
dancing act, accompanied by two cake
walking couples who We're ever clever.
Mr.. Dockstader was, as usual, an artist.
He has natural gifts, quick inventive facul-
ties and keen appreciation and discrimina-
ton in noting the passing affairs of the
world. He gets the cream in swapping up
unconsidered trifles.' He is an active, I'M
firing worker, without being a plodder.
There is no more Industrious man on the
stage, and no man in his line who gets
more out of his application than he does.
He appeals to a line of decency that not
all men i'll the profession of entertainment
recognize. He is leader in monoogue,
subtle in his points and perspicuous enough
to whet the dullest of his hearers into I'M
derstanding and laughter. His songs this
year are up to date His industry and
qulckness were illustrated last night by
the singing of several verses wholly local
in their construction and application. They
were accepted by the audience with great
applause, and the common comment was
that Dockstader must have hustled to get
at, the salient points of the town so early
His Go to Helen Hunt for It. song comes
as near being a defiance of the strict nro-
prleties as anything offered. and that
would have held the stage till midnight
had the singer not begged off to give other
artists chance
The features which were not in black
lace We're the club juggling of the four
Johnsons and the athletic act of the Broth
ers Deonzo. Both of them are undoubtedly
nrst class IN their lines The Deonzo act
presents some astonishing high tumping
ana mas enough of the perilous in it to keen
Inc nerves of the audience up to an appre-
ciattve pitch. Some of their jumping is
Sone WINE they are blindfolded and no
decent man would blame them if they
peeped little
taken altogether the Primrose-Dock-
> tiusI performance Is a most meritorious
oherlhs IN modern high-class minstrelsy.
COLUMBIA Observation-Disclosures the
most pleasing feature of the entertainment
gwen BEFORE large audience last evening
at the columbia Theater by Adelaide and
Leon Hermann was the fact that most
Oh lhe leSerdemain and feats of magic are
new and therefore more than usually in
estlhg, while the tricks and ocular de-
cePtons that nave attained their majority
ere this We're all clothed in new attire
Another incident of note was the dab1lt of
Sidlue hermann, as an active manip-
uIator OF magic She has in the past repre-
'AiS disappearing ldUy and other
sential adjuncts to the success of her late
husbands more elaborate efforts Rut
last evening she appeared with the magic
wand, or, more properly speaking. the
magic ran, and accomplished things that
produced Feeling of awe throughout the
audience. The entertainment is announced
dts one OF magic, music, grace and dance.
ana no reason exists for, taking exception
~ me statement. Leon Hermann Is GER
fanny a most worthy successor to his
famous uncle, Hermann the great strong
ly resembling him in appearance and
manner Adelaide Hermann grows more
dctlNe ana versatile year after year. The
last evening was entirely
dlHerent from that of last season in most
OF us details. The first part is conducted
py Leon Hermann. assisted by the ever
popular Boomsky.' Hermann holds the
close attention of the audience with the
spirit clock, the phantom billiard balls, the
invisible dyeing machine handkerchief
uyeihs and many others This portion of
the entertainment concluded with "Ameri-
ca Victory" large number of flags Of
the different nations were produced Invs-
terlousIy and then transformed into an
flag of large size This was low
ered, disclosing Adelaide Hermann posed
as Columbia. The second part was devoted
to Adelaide Hermann, who gave four of
her famous dances. These are indeed
ldylllc studies of grace and light but can
hardly be called dances. They are. how
ever, most remarkable maniDuIations of
silks and lights, the effect being kaieido-
scopic and beautiful The third mart was
an original conception by Adelaide Herr
mann. called "A Night In Japan." the
stage setting being very artistic. Leon and
adelaide Hermann take turns mystifving
the audience with number of novelties
Inc entertainment was ended with the late
Herrmanns original trunk mystery. A
young lady. Miss Adele Dewey is placed in
a big sack, which is securely fastened
She IS then lifted into a trunk. which is
locked and strapped. The trunk is placed
IN second trunk. which is also locked
ana strapped. "Boomsky'' stands beside
inc trunk A curtain is drawn and a mo-
ment later, when it is removed Miss Dewey
Is IN Boomsky's" place. The trunks are
unlocked and unstrapped, and from Miss
Dewey's place in the fastened sack
Boomsky" is brought to light. Mr.. Rene
Stretti, musical director for the Hermann
company, rendered several violin solos dur
ing the intermissions that were very en-
joyable.
Lara ETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
The Village Postmaster" presented at
the Lafayette Square Opera House last
night before an audience of decidedly gem
erous proportions, is u picture of rural life
ana While there are several decidedly had
faults to be found with the production as
a whole 1t has many pleasing features that
Will appeal to a majority of theater-goers.
VI