The times., 1899-01-15

There were no novelties in the field of
local amusements last week and very lit
tie business The reaction that generally
sets in directly after Christmas seems to
have been fortnight late this year and
all the theatres are suffering in conse-
quence No single house in town has been
drawing the crowds its management have
confidently expected as a result of their
bookings and while the series of engage
ments Just ended brought few attractions
of positive merit. even those were accord
ed anything but hearty reception. Prob
ably the most enjoyable entertainment Of
fered during the last few days was that
given by Primrose & Dcckstader's min
strels, the programme of whieh PROVIDED
for a very fair first part and an olio OF
unusual worth There was no mad rush
fol- seats. however and the senior member
of the firm probably had the pleasure oil
realizing yester-evening that he had just
finished the least profitable date he had
ever played in this city. Though matters
frightened at the Columbia as the local
period of the Herrmanns drew near its
close. Treasurer Stein had no difficulty in
finding enough coupons to sell, while The
Village Postmaster had little better luck
at the LAFAYETTE Even the afternoon per-
formances given at the Academy by Clara
Morris failed 10 bring out great number
OF people and newspaper criticism serious
ly injured the business of the Grand, where
the Lyceum Theatre Stock Company pre-
sented series Of old favorites. The only
real exceptions to the rule of the week
were Kernan's and the Bijou, two places
of amusement that never fail OF their au-
diences. AT the former Hurtig and Sea-
mons ''Bowery Burlesquers" proved mag
netic in their drawing powers, while Bes-
sic Bonehill literally made the welkin
ring for the crowds she brought to the
latter.
What last week lacked in novelties this
one bids fair 10 make up. In the first
place, James A Herne is 10 produce his
new play. The Rev. Griffith Davenport,
for the primal time on any stage at the La
fayette Square Opera House. The work is
TO be a distinct departure from the style
OF drama created in Shore Acres" and
Will resemble more the sort OF literature
represented by the novel from which it
was taken, An Unofficial Patriot" The
Grand opens tomorrow, TOO. as high-Class
vaudeville house-the first ever tried in
this city. It is difficult 10 say as yet
whether the experiment will prove sue
cessful or not. Hoyt sends his latest ef
fort "A Day and Night in New York, ="
10 the National. and The French Maid
will score return engagement at the Co
lumbia. While only few weeks have
passed since last The Maid was seen
here. il viii this time be brought to bear
on an altogether different clientele and
may surpass the business done during the
earlier engagement, as the Rogers Broth
ers did when they came back to Washing
ton and elected TO appear in Luckett &
Dwyer's coZy theatre. Charles II. Yale's
rejuyenated Devils Auction" comes to
the Academy, Bryant & Watson's Aus
tralian Beauties hold the boards at Ker-
mans, and the Bijou brings up the rear
with the usual variety show. thus making
three houses 10 present specially bills this
week. On the Monday following the places
on this list viii be increased to four, and
then Washington Will be vaudeville mad
or the managers will,