Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-23
ADJUSTMENTS.

COLUMBIA THEATER@Thea audience at
the Columbia Theater last night presented
| the assurance thst tnsre Is a foundation for
great popularity-in @Private John Allen"
1t was one of the most literally patronized
first nights that washington has seen in a
long time and the applause was frequent
and prolonged. These evidences Of popu-
larity may havesbeen due to the fact that
Charles B. Hanford shad DOTTED his toga
and, as he said IN very happy curtain
speech, allowed himself the luxury Of ap-
pearing on the stage IN clothes with pockets
In them. There were many loyal friends
OF Mr. Hanford present, who. judging by
their applause, We're sincerely in hopes that
MIR. Hanford's new play would be the
means of providing those pockets with
abundant pecunary responsibility: 1t was
interesting to observe the facility with
which the transition from classic garb to
Ifock coat and pantaloons was made. Per-
maps there Is magic in the title, for "Pri-
Vate John Allen is name to conjure with
when quaint humor and delicate repartee
are sought. Whatever the attraction offer
ed by the prospectus may have been, 1t was
a potent one
Mr. Hanford cannot be accused of unduly
obtruding himself in the production. The
title role is one of very unassuming proper
tons, and 1t was only the fine, intelligent
work OF the performer that gave it promi-
nence. The play is a variation from the
general class which the Frawley season has
Drought to attention. 1t deals with homely
types and depends at times upon rather
nlmsy material for its effectiveness. Its
author seems to have been slightly unde-
clded in his purposes. He produces a wild
ly dramatic thrill. and then in a spirit of
artlstlc penitence offers some touch which
Is atmospheric and almost intellectual. The
impression is very much as if "A Midnight
Bell and Alabama had collided and a
play been built out of the pieces, with lib
erai melodramatic embellishments.
rms method Is, of course destructive of
all artistic proportion, yet these ele-
ments. distinct they are, are SO strongly
worked out that they may easily afford
entertainment to a large class of theatrical
patronage. Considering the piece as
means of diversion for not over-discrimi-
mating audiences, it is possible that a great
deal may be done with Private John AL
len. 1t has situations and climaXes in
PERCUSSION Sometimes they are exploded
one at time; sometimes they are set off
IN punches. Occasionally the fuse flickers
without producing any results, but in that
event there is always another train of
powder waiting to be ignited The main
thlng which prevents the play from COM
mandlng very serious consideration is the
lack of motive. John Allen sacrifices all
that life holds dear for the sake of a
political party. He is not a man whose
temperament explains such fanaticism, and
the circumstances in no way justify the
reckless generosity with which he jeopar-
uiZeS nome, happiness ana nedltn. Inc
characters are splenddly drawn and there
are passages of extraordinary brillancy in
the dialogue. AT the close of the third act
Mr.. Hanford introduced the author, Mr..
Lee Arthur, to the audience. 1t was a
memorable event Mr.. Arthur wore his hair
tight to his head; also a slim yellow redin-
cote with velvet cuffs to match. He ex
pressed his thanks to the audience and
to the FraWley Stock Company, and then,
as words seemed to fail, it suddenly oc-
CURED to him that Miss Blanch Bates is
billed for next week The thought seemed
to overpower him. He became almost tear
full as, forgetful of himself, of Private
John Allen" the Frawley company and the
world, he told of Miss Bates genius.
1t was a beautiful example of self-efface-
ment, and the house applauded wildly Even
the prospect of seeing Miss Bates at no dis
tant day did not wholly compensate for the
possibility that we may never again see
young Mr. Arthur, seemingly fragile as a
jonqui yet firm in purpose the oak, en-
gagged in telling the audience things that 1t
really ought to know.
The various members Of the cast acquitted
themselves with wonderful efficiency. The
novel character of Bessie Stokes, adj
ventures, whose proficiency in modern
slang is equaled only by the generosity of
her impulses was well played by Miss Alice
Johnson. Billy WATSON an old country
man whose life is wrapped up in politics,
is another well-conceived character. It was
played by Mr.. j. r.. Armary. Mr.. Haring
ton Reynolds did what may be termed the
heavy standing around The plot does not
handle the character he takes with much
consideration, but this did not prevent him
from doing some very good work. Godfrey
Stein had good dialect part IN Lem
Blackman," the interruptions lawyer, and
Mr.. Charles King was excellent as typi-
cal old-fashioned colonel Miss Selene
johnson played the part of a widow of
forty in a manner which made her quite as
youthful as her prospective daughter-ln-
law impersonated by Miss Mary Van Buren,.
One of the best performances of the even
S.fN ft.aArg a CT nc
81, a colored servant. The opening prom
ised exceedingly well for Private John
Allen as a jubilee week attraction.
NATIONAL THEATER.-There is
charm and attractiveness about way
Down East that is apparently irresistible
to large proportion OF the theatergoers OF
the country represented in the capital
city. This fact eXemplied last night
when the pay, with all its strong charac-
tiers and thrilling scenes, was greeted at
the National for the second time this sea-
son. The audience was one that hlled the
house, and it's enthusiasm was apparently
limitless. A goodly share of those present
had witnessed the production before, but
their applause and seeming enjoyment was
of no less degree than those who saw for
the first time this story of a plain New Eng
land people. The entrance of the familiar
:oiks called forth outbursts of app ause.
The timers in the audience were soon
speaking terms with the stage peo-
pie, it were, SO truthful to life are the
characters of this pastoral drama, and be-
fore the climax of the third act a friend
ship existed between the Way Down
Casters and their latter-day brothers and
sisters in the playhouse.
The story of this clever play is now well
known. Its personnel is made up of folks
one will meet in everyday life. The list
includes an old squire in his New Hamp-
shire home. surrounded by his family ana
a lot of country folks, who by their simple
but sincere ways amuse and appeal to the
higher senses at the same time. Then there
Is the homeless and ruined girl, the city
man who accomplished her downfall, the
boarding professor from 'Bos-
ting the gossip, the town constable and
the village choir. The people Interpreting
these roles seem to have been those about
whom the play was originally written, so
admirably they suited for their espe-
cial parts. Miss Phoebe Davies is the
Anna Moore, and is just attractive as
ever. 1t Is unnecessary to speak of the
Individual excellence of the remainder of
the cast, for all do their work in a con-
scientious and pleasing manner. Odell VIII
liams won hts honors as the squire Sara
Stevens is his wife; Forrest Robinson his
son, and Pearl Evelynne, his niece Miss
Evelynne is well remembered for her good
work in the Columbia Stock Comnapv last