Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-25
ADJUSTMENTS.

arrived at the point in It's history where
merit is to be taken as matter of course
The skeptics who doubted whether an or
ganization could appear at the prices now
prevailing and furnish first-class enter
tainment have all been silenced. The
eulogists have ransacked their vocabularies
for new and complimentary phrases until
there remains little to be said save to note
the variations in the program from week
to week. Washington's theater-goers are
as quick to recognize good performance
as they are positive in rejecting a poor
one. The audience last night would have
been worthy of any light comedy company
now before the public, and the production
was worthy of the occasion. Even
scrutiny of the presentation of Lost.
Twenty-four Hours" for trivial defects,
would have been unrewarded had the
action Jagged long enough to permit it.
The stage furnishings were tasteful and
had an air of substantial though simple
elegance. The gowns were things of rap
ture such only a professional writer of
millinery advertisements could hope to sue
ceSsfully describe. The company itself had
SO many points of excellence and so few
of deficiency that the occasion proceeded
without a jar. The play is an easy-going
trif1e, with an ingeniously convoluted plot
and some familiar characters. Mr.. Fraw
ley, who has so brilliantly demonstrated
his abilities as manager added the
achievements of the actor to his list of
Washington triumphs. He Is a comedian
of thoroughly refined methods. The ex
IRENE simplicity of his style gives his work
the force of absolute naturalness. His per-
sonality is quiet, but convincing, and the
laughs he gets are of the wholesome kind,
which do not leave the auditor with a
morSeful impression that he has permitted
his risibles to swamp his intelligence. Miss
Selene Johnson was the adventures of the
piece: an adventures with a 1.-the figure,
an expressive countenance, 8 complexion or
delicate tints and hair whose sunny
locks" Ito quote poetry, hang round her
temples like a golden fleece" She is one
of the few stage adventuresses whose con-
quests seem probable. She Haunted no red
hosiery and smoked no cigarettes to adver-
tise her identity to prospective victims.
Harry Corson Clarkes mpersonation Of the
unworldly Brother David was clever and
amusing bit of caricature. One of the
slightest yet one of the most noteworthy
episodes in the performance was the ap-
pearance of Mr. Alfred Hickman in a
part about a minute and a half long. Mr..
Hickman has become so closely associated
with creased pantaloons and an atmos-
phere of juvenile beauty that there were
reasons to fear for his fate. There comes
a tide in the affairs of an actor when the
ability to look killing and wear lilies of the
valley in his coat lapel gracefully will not
save him. Such achievements are important
in their way, but not enduring, and Mr..
Hickman has made the most of them. Last
night he was as lusty a porter as ever
handled trunk, and the little touch of
character work which he contributed, while
infinitesimal in its relationship to the piece
whole, was enough to show that he
is the right sort. Miss Mary Van Buren,
played a part which was well adapted to
her superior capabilities, and Miss George
Welles was dainty and demure a little
anchoress as ever let a curl struggle from
beneath her austere bonnet. Mr.. Godfrey
Stein played a rather ungrateful part con-
scientiously. The meritorious figures in the
cast were too numerous for extended men
ton, and the audience, both in numbers
and enthusiasm, afforded complete evidence
that the Frawley Company is highly ap-
preciated institution. Matinees are on
Thursday and Saturday.
NATIONAL THEATER.-Alce Nielsen
and the clever opera company with which
Manager Frank Perley of renowned bust
ness Sagacity has surrounded this latest
and daintiest of stellar products returned
to Washington last night, opening what
will be a decidedly prosperous week at the
National Theater. Miss Nielsen, petite and
vivacious, was royalty received Her re-
ceptiOn did not OvershadOW, however, the
ovationS given Eugene CoWles, Richard
Golden, Joseph Herbert, Joseph Cawthorne,
Frank RushwOrth ana Marguerite Sylvia in
turn. Each seemed equally well known and
popular with the audience, which placed
premium upon standing room. From the
tumultuoIs applause which greeted the ap-
pearance of the Well-knOWn people of the
cast it was evident that friendly relations
existed between playgoers and p!ayfolks,
and a happy evening would be the result
So it was. The excellent impression made
by Herberts music and Smiths book, as
we'll the pleasing work of the strongest
operate organization of the year, was but
enhanced last night. The pretty songs and
inVigorating choruseS, the merry quipS and
Iaugh-catchers, the vivacious efforts of
Miss Nielsen, the resonant and rich tones
of Cowle's magnificent basso, albeit he was
frequently off the key and his bad habits of
rt1sr.l ti1,T1 IIfh
were received with uudiminished enthusi-
asm. The Fortune Teller chorus girls
are as bright, pretty and jolly as can be,
and there is little need of prophesying an
absence of vacancies in the front row dur
ing the run Of the piece. The opera goes
with a vim and a rush, and all the persons
in 1t work with Willingness and endeavor
to please that is most refreshing. This is
one of the factors in the success the com
pany has scored.
Miss Nielsen has improved since she was
last in Washington. Her tiny voice gives
evidence of increasing strength Her score
is not difficult and very little is required of
her vocal powers. Her two songs are rem
dered in a cute and fetching manner.
Cowies, of course, carries off the honors of
voice. His Gypsy serenade of the second
act brought out the greatest applause of
the evening. Herbert, Cawthorne and Col
den are a trio of tricky comedians, any one
of whom might be placed in solitary control
of the funny business of an opera The
three together triumph Frank Rush
worth remains as Captain Ladislas. His
song of the hungarian Hussars, with the
rhythmical galloping chorus, repeated the
hit it had already made in this city. Miss
Sylvia does her little part like the true
artist she is. Paul Nicholson has several
little parts and adds no little to the fun
making. There Will be a matinee Saturday.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.-There are
more than the usual number of really good
"headlners'' at the Grand this week The
principal one is, of course, the sketch,
why Walker Reformed done by Milton
and Dollie Nobles who are deservedly pop
ular. 1t is new here, but was found very
amusing as its lines are bright, its situa-
lions clever, and its many opportunities not
overlooked by Mr.. and Mrs. Mobiles. Miss
Louise kerlin, a handsome girl and a
sympathetic singer, came next in popular
favor. Her songs were given with a degree
of grace and refinement that was decidedly
pleasing apart from the merit of her vocal
izing. T. Wilmott Eckert and Emma Berg
were admirable in operate selections and
evoked abundant applause. The act of
Fields and Saina was only saved from a
humiliating failure by the ability and per-
sistency of Miss Salina. They would be
pleasing, undoubtedly, if provided with
more refined and interesting vehicle for
their acrObatiC work Miss Comma Jewell.