davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1899-03-12
CHATS WITH THE PLAYERS.

Contrary to the expectations of The
Times man. there was nothing unusual
about the spectacle presented by the Ma
tionals stage door when he went back
the other night to interview William Gil
lett. No oditerous heaps of half-smoked
cigars disfigured the pavement. no insight
" ri!ss OF empty boxes barred the en-
france. and the cleaners had made away
with the thousands of burnt matches for
which one is on the lookout when he calls
upon the author-actor. Even in the dress
ing room of that parsonage the cnly hint
given regarding the nsarress of the North
ern spy was from q row OF big and small
revolyers that lay on shelf at one end of
the apartment Mr. Gillette himself. clad
in the becoming gray Of Confederate
captain sat under pair OF the inyaTiable
Gagged lights and read volume. the back
Of which stamped 1t as belonging TO the
class OF literature which mothers generally
keep away from their daughters When
the visitor entered his host rose to the
extreme Of six feet one and waived him TO
a chair.
Mr. Gillette said: You must have been
anxious To see me- | was handed a very
choice collection of your cards when
reached the hotel this evening and was
told that you had been there several times.
Want an interview? I'd great deal rather
you write what you wish me to say and
trust to my subscribing to 1t. | don't like
to talk about myself.
'As regards my reading OF the lines
given Lewis Dumont in this piece-of
course you know that | had no intention
of playing the part when wrote 1t. | had
always regarded myself as being essentially
i farceur and had little taste for the heroic.
The times., 1899-03-12
"pie ruppcnfee,, for Charity.

y Baltimore theatrical invasion OF Wash
ington is scheduled for next Thursday
afterncon at the Lafayette Squgre Up ra
House, where the quaint German musical
comedy Of Die Puppanfee" will be given
for the beHsi.t Of the Society for the Pre-
yenton of Cruelty to Anima s.. Aithou gh
the entertainment is distinctly d social
aiIair-as is Gttcsted by . long list CT "a
irons and patfcnesses-and its object is q
charitable one the Psrfo-nanca IS aid 10
be wholly Tcrth The price Of adII.s ion. 80
That the cast doe5 stand Ca its own merits
is attested By the folo"ing pcrtiCn Of q
criticism Of the event published by the
Baltimore HERALD when the pic. was
given there.
Ii reminded one Of the old day when the Acad-
cmy was tHc scene u brilliant gatherings Tor tins
cr that worthy object The charity balls, the
lIrm"s and all The other entertainments OF a
siHl''ar nature were recalled, hut the present
si"3! the tn>l ot comparison with the past. To
those WHO -4w tie show tA rr was hUt one ye.-
diet IN, Purp-ntcc" was an artistic and a
financial HlIrcss-aud its fame will 1--we.
Evcl' box was filled and every seat on the
main floor and in the galleries bad occupant.
Even positions on the steps leading 10 the stage
were al a premium. and many persons stood
up around the walls. The women in the audi
oncr Wore the =martost gowns and the up-to-
date man donncl his fFOck coat and siI: hat in
! honor of the occasion.
The youth and beauty, tie grace and wit.
the intellect and the culture Of Baltimore were
all represented. As the programme proceeded
such sIcpticism IS NJ first existed vanished, and
all the elements that form cosmopolitan so
ciety united in cNclaiming bravo
Seats for the affair go Oh sale tomorrow,
and a big audience is expected 10 b. pres
eut.
The times., 1899-03-12

combination from every point of view has
and the prospects are that it viii draw Il
series OF audiences such as has not con-
gregated there since the opening OF the
house some three months ago.
Chief among the people engaged is Isa-
bella Urquhart, one of the most beautiful
women on the stage and an actress of con-
siderable ability. Miss Urquhart has ap-
peared in this city frequently with Charles
Frohmans and other well-known compa-
MES On this occasion she will be seen
in a new sketch. entitled Even Stephen, -
and should make a hit. Another come
dienne of worth who has a place on the
bill is Lizzie Evans, who claims to be the
legitimate successor OF Lotta. Supported
by Harry Mills she makes her local yau-
devi!le debut tomorrow afternoon in Z.
+. Kidder's enjoyable little play. Two
Girls and One Man"
The remainder of the entertainment is
to be contributed by people almost as cley-
er and as we'll known. Gertrude Haynes.
musician whose act is said TO be a thor
ough novelty, will be heard in selections
on the piano and her remarkable orches-
trion. Miss Haynes has met with con-
and should be much appreciated here. Then
the Sa-Vans have been retained for an
other week and will exhibit their laugha-
BILE acrobatic feats, while much is expected
OF Ray l.. Royce. an imitator who has re-
Gently graduated from the lyceum plat
form. and of Kittie Wolfe. vocalist and
The times., 1899-03-12
BiipN-Ea aEdcyiiIc.

Much qualification is being expressed by
patrons of the Bijou at the character OF the
shows that are now taking place within
the portals of that cozy little house. Bust
ness has been steadily on the increase
there and. encouraged by these tokens Of
approval, Manager Greves has as steadily
improved his performances. The ILL for
this week probably is the best yet booked.
1t has for its headliner charming and tai
ented Marie Jansen, a comic opera star of
considerable note in the theatrical world.
incidentally there will also be seen James
Thorne and Grace Carleton, farceurs of
note; Al Fields and Fred Ward eccentric
comedians; Edward Lynch and Mae Tay
lor. a travesty team: John and Nellie
Healey clever exponents of the Southern
negro; Emma Carus, the phenomenal con-
tralto; the McGinleys. noveltysts, and the
Biiou Stock Company in a new musical
melange.
The times., 1899-03-12
Acknowledgment of Hentzau." !"

Anthony Hopes romance. Rupert of
Hentzau," which James K. Hackett is TO
produce for the first time here this week
at the National. is companion play 10
that authors Prisoner of Zenda." The
plot tells OF the same characters and To-
Calities. so theatregoers shall become re-
acquainted with King Rudolf V of Ruri-
tania, Rudolf Rassendyll, Colonel Sapt the
Count of Hentzau. Fritz Won Tarlenheim,
Lieutenant Bernenstein, the old Chancellor,
Queen Flavia. Helga Won Tarlenheim, and
old Mother Holt with the Castle of Zenda,
the Kings hunting lodge, and the palace
at Streslau.
Rupert Of Hentzau" is modern. the COM
plete action taking place three years after
the time OF Mr. Hopes story of ''Zenda. "
James X. Hackett, who some years ago
succeeded Z. II. Sothern in this piece when
it was revived in New York. will make his
initial appearance in Washington as the
King and the Kings impeTsonator. This is
declared to be one of the most difficult
parts an actor was ever called upon 10 rem
der. II requires ten changes of costume
during every performance. Mr.. Hackett
comes on first as His Majesty" and in the
twinkling Of an eye changes TO RasSendyll.
He walks out of a door on the prompt
side of the stage and in less than two min
utes reappears from the opp. side the
many OF these effects as 10 have a bewil-
dering result on audiences. for the King is
stoop- -shouldered. full bearded, and dress
ed in garments becoming his rank, while
Rassendyll is smooth OF face tall, and
erect, and wears riding breeches, boots, a
white shirt. collar. and cuffs. To play the
two Rudolfs in Rupert OF Hentzau" is
said to require an enormous amount OF
physical exertion, the Characterization be.
ing far more difficult even than that il
The Corsican Brothers"
There are four acts and seven scenes in
the piece. Mr. Frohman has equipped tn;
production with elaborate scenery and et-
fects; with costumes in keeping with thC
Ruritanian court and with much specially
composed incidental music. The Hachet
company includes Jobyna Rowland. wh,
posed for Gibson's pictures OF the Queer
in the book Rupert OF HentzaU." She j!
| supposedly queenly young woman O
great beauty and is said not only to 'ool
hut 10 act the part of Flavia t9 perfection
Daniel FTohman viii personally superin
tend the dramas production here. Il goc
| to his Lyceum Theatre lin New York 70
| Il run q few weeks from now
The times., 1899-03-12
The Snucr Concert.

The music-lovers of Washington will be
pleased at learning that Emil Sauer, who
Is claimed TO be pre-em!nently the worlds
greatest pianist. will give recital in this
city on next Friday afternoon at the Ma
tional Theatre. The sale of seats for his
appearance has already been large, and,
Judging from the demonstrations that
have greeted him elsewhere, the capacity
of Manager Rapley's house will BE- thor
oughly tested on that occasion. Safer
has been received in all the Eastern cities
with a general chorus OF praise. He has
played three times in Boston and on the
last occasion standing room was difficult
to obtain. fourth recital has been ar
ranged for the Hub and will shortly take
place there. New York and Philadelphia
have both taken the musician with accia
nations of pleasure and there can be no
doubt that Washington will be next in
The times., 1899-03-12
Lyccum-".nuI,y Fair

Pretty girls. handsome costumes, at
tractive scenery. and move! stage effects
in unison with bright comedy and musical
gems are to prevail at the Lyceam this
week, when Vanity Fair comes to Wash
ington fer the seco2d time in one season.
The show. on this occasion. Will be
new throughout ard promises to be
better than ever before. The bill
includes the comedy -burletta. a Win
ter Carnival" in which is introduc-
ed a female bicycle contest on the
open stage. In the olio which follows, are
included Newell and Sheyett, the comedy
horizontal bar gymuasts; Ralph G. John
stone, the expert wheelmau; Morrissey
and Rich, comedy sketch team Madame
Dixie the charming singer; Marie Ie-
beau, baton juggier; Lowell ana Lowell
eccentric acrobats: Emery and NARROW
travesty stars. and Farrell and Taylor, mu-
steal comiques. The performance con
GUIDES With the rendering of a military
skit, called Creme de Menthe."
The times., 1899-03-12

of a Princess of Patches" but that pun
ming critics made the last word read
patchwork so often that the designation
was altered. Be that as 1t may. the de-
luded Mr.. Rosenthal first presented his
new possession in Milwaukee, and one of
the local reviewers liked it. Then the
comedy was taken through the West, and
several more people said that they enjoyed
the performance. although some of the
Chicago newspapers were cruel enough TO
ignore everyone in the cast excepting
Belle Davis. Finally play and players en-
tered New York and there both were done
to death. Some folk alleged that the
press had murdered the production. If so
the case was one OF justifiable homicide.
Mistakes Will Happen is one of the
things Mr.. Lift owned besides the chief
town of the Badger State. Last night it
| reverted to Charles Dickson. who is a
| mighty clever man and threatens to make
| a success of the manuscript. Certainly the
actor has more ground on which to work
| than had his rival Mr.. Swan. Mistakes
| Will Happen" is possibly palatable sand
| wich of one good act between two bad
ones. From San Francisco to Washington
| people were willing to forget the outer
portion of the morsel and to remember
| only the inner. The theatergoers of the
| Capital did not have sufficient faith in the
maker to try the result of his labors.
| The managers of both offerings claim
| that they are strictly original Mr.. Dixon,
who is even more sensible than has been
| hinted herein. acknowledges that farces-
| like all "coons"-look alike to him, but
! Mr.. Swan still tolls under the impression
that the injection of a colored cook and
a polyglotic German heiress has made his
effort as different from others as a Christ
mas card is from a stick of peppermint
candy. AS matter of fact the presenta-
tions are not only similar to half the
works Of their class listed in the Congress
siOnal Library but they are exceedingly
like each other.
The times., 1899-03-12
THE PASSING Snow.

Milwaukee is n small German town To-
Gated on the banks of the frost-bitten
river from which it takes its name. The
place has changed hands several times
since its settlement by the French. and
is now owned by Jacob Lift and a man
called Pabst. Il During the last few months
it has come into rather undue prominence
from a theatrical point of view. having
directly or Indirectly stood sponsor for
Browns in Town" and Mistakes VIII
Happen" both of which reached Wash
ington last week in remarkable STATE OF
preservation. "a And now the beery city is
more in dsrepute than ever it was before
Browns III Town" is the property CT
this country's greatest promoter of pub
licity. ]. J. Essential, and it was written
by one Mark Swan. Who was author of
the piece Is not stated lin the bond" or
anywhere else. Rumor has it that the
farce was originally done under the title
The times., 1899-03-12

soprano; r. s. Pigott. E. H. Carroll,
Charles Hildesley, Linda da Costa, Leono-
ra Gnito and Fanny Briscoe, all come di-
rect from Manager McCormicks Metropoli-
tan House, as does, too, a chorus of fifty
and every supernumerary and stage hand
used in the primary production.
of the opera itself it is unnecessary to
say so much, the success OF the piece in
Gotham having proven its excellence. In
his libretto Harry Smith has left the ro
mantle style of THE Highwayman" and
Robin Hood" far behind and again taken
TO the humors shown in his other works.
THE Serenade" and "The Wizard of the
Nile" While it is said to have been Mr..
Smiths original intention to use the story
of Charles O'Malley" for the effort he
afterward abandoned this plan, and, though
he introduced an element of love into his
plot, treated all the component parts IN
the lightest possible vein. Great oppor-
tunities have thereby been given the
comedians of the Broadway Theatre Opera
Company, of whom there are several.
Victor Herbert. who has before been ac-
knowledged to have suited the comedy OF
his collaboration better than did anyone
else, probably never accomplished his pur-
pose better than Reginald de Koven Is
claimed TO have done in THE Three Drag
oons.'' Outside of two or three solos in
tempo de yalse, the composer has made
his score consistently bright Stirring
marches characteristic ccucsits. and topi
cal songs follow upon one another's heels
and the result is supposedly delightful.
Thus, while most OF the New York critics
affected surprise at the absence OF attempt
ed dignity in the work, all seemed pleased
at its cleverness and their unanimous
praise was no small factor in its ultimate
success.
The times., 1899-03-12

tempts at curtain calls that were COM
mendable considering the size of the
houses. The Times OF last Tuesday cred
tied both pieces with having pleased their
patrons. But at the same time laughter
does not always mean everything. There
was a man at the Lafayette some time ago
who laughed at The Cuckoo" and Il.
Burke Scott was just about to go out and
boast about it when six-horse wagon
rolled up to the door and took the individ
ual and his keeper home.
Nearly three months have now passed
since Managers Burke and Chase opened
the Grand Opera House as vaudeville
theatre. and the period has proved suf-
fCiently long to show the intentions OF
those gentlemen. In reviewing the pros
pectus OF the place before their advent The
Times took occasion to say that its pro-
prietors would probably be rewarded with
a considerable degree of success when they
established their intention of being per-
manent occupants Of the building and OF
giving Washington frst-class perform
ances. The prophecy is slowly and surely
| coming true.
Frequently since the Grand threw wide
its doors to the public this paper has re-
| viewed the entertainments contributed in
| anything but a commendatory way. At
| least two of the shows" booked have been
notably bad, and in these cases The Times
| has pursued its policy of stating the truth
/ frankly. But it cannot be denied that in
| neither instance was the fault of the at
| fractions with the house management any
mere than it can be gainsaid that on both
occasions the directors made every possible
effort to improve their bills. The worth
! lessness of one was due to the fact that its
| best people had been kept away by bliz-
zard and the other was full of names that
are familiar TO theatregoers throughout the
country. The players had simply failed to
| come up to expectations.
Generally the performances given have
been excellent. The very best workers in
the vaudeville field have been brought
The times., 1899-03-12

has furnished the dresses; facts which
must bear sufficient weight to insure an
Offering second to none.
The scenes OF the farce are laid in New
York city. New and special novelties will
be introduced during the action Of the
comedy by such people as Harry Crandall,
Joe J. Sullivan, Esteile Wellington. Sadie
Connolly, the Spsck Brothers, Harry Wat
son. Charles 4. Morgan and the Moss FAM
lily. all of whom go to make one of the
strongest organizations OF the sort even
combined. The play is supposedly a sue
cession Of laughs from start to finish. Ev-
eryone of its textures has been thoughtful
ly and specially prepared to suit the taste
oi the theatregoins public.
The times., 1899-03-12

matter is that Mr.. Riley is a man in whose
power as an entertainer the public has
faith that is not altogether inspired by the
universal belief that an author can read
his own works better than does anyone
else. The Hoosier poet has achieved a
reputation as speaker only second TO that
he has won by his writings and this name.
together with some curiosity to see the
celebrity of whom everyone knows but
who comes to Washington very rarely, has
made possible the enormous receipts that
are now counted upon. The programme
announced for the evening has been divid-
ed into four parts. the first being entitled
Annals of the Poor the second 'Hoosier
Verse" the third, Character Sketches.
and the last Rhymes Of Childhood" Mr..
Riley will be assisted by some Of the best
known musicians. in Washington, Mrs
Thomas Noyes having been engaged to
sing during the entertainment.
The times., 1899-03-12
Hall OF the Ancicnts.

AS 4 general thing technical lectures are
most wearisome to laymen. who avoid them
with persistence worthy Of a better cause.
but occasionally a speaker is found who is
not only able to state facts but to make
them attractive. Such man is said to be
Franklin W. Smith, who gives half-hOurly
descriptions Of objects at the Halls of the
Ancients. 1872 to 1913 New York Avenue.
Mr. Smiths talks are described as being
as interesting as they are instructive and
add much to a visit to the museum. -
building is open all day.
The times., 1899-03-12

delighted the patrons of the theatre T.
j. Farron, the irish vocalist. will. also be
present. and is 10 sing a number Of typical
selections. while Florence Henri King, a
violiniste who made hit at the Grand
some weeks ago. is down for TWO num-
bers. Alice Maylyn has come from Boston
for the evening, and her fine soprano will
be heard to advantage in operate extracts.
Seats 90 on sale at , O'Clock today.
The times., 1899-03-12
The Grnnd,s Concert.

A concert that is not a vaudeville per-
formance is promised tonight at the Grand
Opera House. for which place of amuse-
ment Managers Burke & Chase announce
programme that bears the names both of
people who appeared last week and of new
entertainers. Prof. Ackley's orchestra.
specially enlarged for the occasion, will
have prominent place on the bill, at the
head of which is to be Maude Courtney,
whose rendering of ''the old songs has SO
The times., 1899-03-12
The Riley Lecture.

One of the most remarkable advance
sales recorded in the history of the lyceum
platform is laid TO the credit OF James
Whitcomb Riley. for whose tomorrow night
lecture at the Grand Opera House almost
three -fourths of the auditorium Is already
said to have been sold. A constant sue
cession OF purchasers have been passing
the box-office window since the anounce-
ment of the recital was made and that
succession has increased in numbers and
decreased in the Intervals between arrivals
within the last few days. The fact of the
The times., 1899-03-12
NIriIIiN.'

"Trilby." the marvellous creation of Ast-
ley Cooper, is still on view at 1909 Penn
sylyania Avenue, and is seemingly creating
more comment than ever before Hun
dreds Of people visit the rooms daily and
all express themselves as being wonder
fully pleased with the picture. "Trilby'
may be seen al any time.
The times., 1899-03-12
Grand-Saude,iIlc.

The compilation of a good vaudeville
bill is matter of much difficulty. not only
b. reason of the fact that clever poop e in
that line are scarce but because the com
pleted programme must be as "a led IN
its offerings as they themselves are meri-
torious. What seems TO be an admirable
The times., 1899-03-12
The Bijou's Concert.

notable array of entertainers is to be
presented at tonight's concert at the Bijou.
and great deal is promised for the per-
formance. A number of admirable people
have been especially engaged for the eve
ming. and should be heard to advantage.
Among these are THE Gypsy Quintette. -
which filled place on the bill fortnight
ago; Emma Carus, the American Vita
graph. Mae Raymond Banks Winters. Lit
tie Mona, and THE American Quartette."
The times., 1899-03-12
Academy -"McFndden's Row OF
yJ.fsy


EI.tsv
Novelty" is the public clamor And
novelty there is said to be in that up-to-
date musical farce comedy, "McFaddens
Row of Flats" which will be interpreted by
a specially selected company this week at
the Academy of Music. One glimpse at the
names of those employed in the production
should be a guarantee of the genuineness
of all claims. The scenes are from pen
sketches by that famous caricaturist of
the New York Journal" R. F. Outcault;
the book which suggested the effort is by
E. w. Townsend author of "Chimmie Fad
den" and the comedy itself was written by
Glen McDonough, author of THE Prodigal
Father" The superior settings used are the
work OF Hart and Mcdonald, of the Fifth
Avenue Theatre New York. who have pre-
pared every presentation for that classical
playhouse since several seasons past, while
Dazien, the celebrated Partisan costumer
The times., 1899-03-12

dancer who accomplishes both turns to her
own accompaniment on the harp The
Hunting Trio" is to be seen in series of
entertaining specialties. and Eugene Neid-
ert, a bicyclist, who won some attention
in 1896. by riding down the steps of the
Capitol. completes the list. Seats for the
week are now on sale