The evening times., 1899-05-02
AT THE THEATRES.
Nationnl-..rreInwny of the Wei

| Nationnl-''Trelawn of the Welis.''
With the electric fans on either side OF
| the proscenium arch drawing out an ac-
compartment, Daniel Frohman's Lyceum
Stock Company was seen last night at the
| National Theatre In Arthur PineTo's Tire
lawny OF the Wells" A typical audience,
which came long after the primal curtain
had risen and left before the final one had
been lowered. greeted the piece in hearty
manner and succeeded in bringing the
principal players before the curtain to bow
their Acknowledgements. All of which
including the fans-is part and parcel Of
the LyCeum engagement in Washington.
'Trelawny of the Wells" is easily iden-
titled with the genius who prepared it and
with the manager who presents it. This
being true il is hardly necessary TO say
that the comedy contains enough atmos-
phere for even so hot an evening as was
that Of yesterday; that its lines are
bright and its business ample; that its
characters are well drawn and supplied
with both humor and pathos, and that the
entire plot could be safely packed away in
a thimble and SO carried. Without a story
an author may provide everything but
strength and "Trelawny'' is the same sort
of milk-and-water affair that Mr.. Froh-
mans people have been giving US from
time immemorial. Only this time the cos
tunes and manners of the period together
with the idiOsyncracies and oddities of the
theatrical profession. from which most of
the creations are taken, give a touch of
novelty and interest to the work. And its
enactment does the rest.
In the days Of The Wife, is was cited
as sign OF the way in which things were
done at the Lyceum that when someone
snuffed candle the lights on the stage
went out and this same care is visible In
the performance Of Mr.. Pinero's play With
characters so clearly outlined it is unnec-
essary TO eXaggerate as every member of
the cast does, but this defect contributes
to the enjoyment of the many more than
1t takes away from the pleasure Of the
few. Mary Mannering is seen in the title
role and does extremely well, making Rose
Trelawny always lovable even while
strongly contrasting her varying natures
In the absence Of John Storm Morgan
that clever ex-comedian, Grant Stewart,
assumes the principal male role and does
II well, while Henry Woodruff Is careful
and consistent as the girls betrothed,
Charles Walcotts impersonation of the
very proper grandfather is most distinct.
and Ethel Hornick burlesques the part of
his equally squeamish sister,
An excellent impression is created by
William Courtleigh, whose admirable
work in THE Princess and the Butterfly"
will be remembered and whose portrayal
OF an egotistical actor brings out an un-
suspecting sense Of humor and of obser-
walton. Elizabeth Tyree is a bit uncertain
but still good as his brainless wife, while
George c. Boniface. Charles W. Butler,
Mrs Charles Walcot. Hilda Spong, Miriam
Nesbitt, Thomas Whiffen, Louis Anderson.
and Edward Castano portray theatrical
folk In distinguishsble manner Mrs.
Inomas Whinen and John Findlay. once
OF the National Summer Stock Company,
are capital in smaller roles, while, with
the exception Of H. S. Taber the remain
der OF the cast appear to advantage. As II
Is played 'Trelawny" is prefunctorily
amusing and generally interesting though
hardly such an offering as will last,