The times., 1899-04-11
Nntionnl-nRip Van Wrinkle,

Certain theatrical offerings possess an
ineffaceable and perennial charm, undim-
med by years of familiarity. Probably
most prominent among this list of the Sc
lect is rip Van Wrinkle" now in the sere
and yellow of its two score and ten. YET
so deliciously unique that its most ardent
supporters are its Oldest friends. With the
drama founded upon Irying's story is in
delibly associated the name OF its first and
foremost interpreter. Joseph Jefferson,
who was heartily welcomed to Washington
last night al the National by an audience
which made up in appreciativeness what
1t lacked in numerical strength. Advances
IN prices are perhaps permissible with phe-
nomenal successes Of the period, but life
time triumphs have been too often seen
for the average theatregoer TO invest in
them very strongly. The ass mbiy of yes
ter evening was an anomaly in meas
ure. Empty orchestra seats were as infre-
quent as balcony vacancies while the cir
Gle was almost untenanted.
Critics from the early ffties have WED
with one another in writing commendatory
reviews of Mr.. Jeffersons S Rip. Now and
then some have dared TO announce that
newer actor has surpassed the venerable
Dean in the delneation of this chosen char
acter and as result has been deluged with
and his readers. Thus the Rip of Mr. JEFF
ferson will go down 10 posterity as one of
the greatest pOrtrayals of the century
and justly so. With its quaint humor, its
tinge OF pathos. its touch of improbability.
its delicious wit, and its grain OF human
nature, the impersonation leaves an i'm
preston that remains through life time.
Mr. Jefferson is as good now. as ever be-
fore. There is nothing novel to be said
of his rendering. 1t is sufficient to remark
that the player is still himself and that
his Rip has changed no more than he.
With the critical observer feeling akin
to that of regret is caused by observing
the difference between the star and his
support The cast is not only OF an in
ferior nature. but its people are often un-
familiar with their lines. There are three
exceptions to this rule-Nerner Charges,
Ffolliott Paget and George Denham-who
have been seen before in the organization,
and who are not to be improved upon.
The Gretchen CT Miss Paget is especially
worthy of praise in contrast W tn her pre-
yous local work. in that ii is OF a totally
different character. Even in her one or
two pathetic bits the erstwhile Mrs. Mala-
prop proves most acceptable. while her
Seeding scenes are marked by the true
divine spark. Mr.. Denham scores hsavily
in the first act and Mr.. Charges is the
same tyfanlcai Sul natural DerTlch as Oh
old.
Genius is seldom distributed throughout
a family, and that of Mr.. Jefferson ap-
pears to be no exception. In the present
combination two sons are seen TO small
advantage. William jefferson contributes
an affected and overdone Cookies. while
the physical development of Joseph Jeffer-
son, jr., totally unfitsN him for the rather
robust role of Heindriek. Virgie Glyndon
and Harold Walsh are clever children. well
coached, while Blanche Bender is artificial.
stilted and mechanical as Meinie. She is
capable of better work. and possibly will
accomplish ii when more familiar with the
situations and intrinsic business of the
role. At present she is inadequate. The
smaller parts are also badly taken. and
the need for rehearsal in some is evident.
On Wednesday and Friday evenings
"The Rivals" will be the bill at the Ma
tional, with Mr.. Jefferson as Bob Acres.