The times., 1899-01-01

From the business done by 'Zaza' last
week at the Lafayette Square Opera House
II would seem that local theatergoers are
slowly awaking TO the fact that produc
tion may be new and good into the bar
gain. Generally the most intellectual and
critical people in this city have desert
ed presentations in the early stages of
their careers because of a certain strust
and willingness to wait for the verdict
of their neighbors. AS a result many
good pieces which have had their pre-
mieres here without result have achieved
elsewhere well-merited success and have
found that success so profitable that Meth
er stars nor managers have seen fit to
return 10 Washington. Thus, through their
own timidity, the amusement-loving OF
this place have lost their chance of wit
Messing some of the greatest productions
on cur stage-"The Little Minister and
''on and on being good examples of the
fact. The business done by The Chris
tian,' however, proved that more Wit was
being manifested. and last week further
evidence of this was furnished in the ex-
cellent audiences that attended ''Zaza."
The utMCst interest was shown in the Of
fering and Manager Painters house lad
no lack OF patronage.
This good fortune at the Lafayette d d
not seem TO injure the theater's competi-
tors, and, despite the reaction that newt
ably follows Christmas, every place OF
amusement in town did exceptional y well.
Notwithstanding the rough handling il
got from the press, The Telephone Girl"
played to enormous audiences at the Ma
tiona and came dangerously near iniUr-
ing a few Tecords-would have mad the
crowds not gone down slightly the en-
gagement drew near its close. Jam
O'Neill ranked next, filling the Academy
of Music at every performance, and the
Columbia did not fare at all badly with
Roland Reed in The Wrong Mr.. Mrig1t."
The tide OF good fortune continued TO the
Lyceum, where Al. Reeyes's big Show
attracted crowds, and at the Bjou, for
which house a vaudeville bill accomplish
ed the same service.
Managers invariably prefer entering
theater that was packed all through the
preceding engagement TO going into one
that has had no luck-eyen when the
emptiness has been the result of men and
women saving their money for the later
attractions. So a continuance of the
good business may be expected this week,
even though an extra place OF amuse-
ment Will open. The entertainments given
are all TO be first class. Francis Wilson
begins the season at the Grand with his
latest success. Harry B. Smith and Lud-
wig Englander's Little Corporal" while
William II. Crane brings another new play
TO the National in the shape of Clyde Fitch
and Leo Ditrichstein's translation, The
Head OF the Family" Those very funny
comedians, the Rogers brothers, who made
a great hit here late last year, return to
this city and present a Reign Of Error
al the Columbia. Gilmore and Leonard
offer their old-time triumph, ''Hogans Al
ley" at the Academy; Sam Devere's own
Show" goes to Kernan's, and vaudeville
E.H, usual. occupy the stage at the
Bijou. Each of these houses will give q
special New Year matinee tomorrow.
season of four performances is TO be
offered al the Lafayette by the Ellis Grand
Opera Company. Works from the two
great schools of music will be sung in
French. German and Italian. In the or
ganization are included Melba, Gadski and
Bonnard. while the accompaniment will be
furnished by the New York Symphony
orchestra, under the alternate director
ship OF Seppilli and Walter Damrosch.
Gounod's Romeo and Juliet" is to be
dcne on Tuesday: Wagner's 'Tannhauser'
on Thursday; "Cavalleria Rusticana" and
'PPagliacci" on Friday and The Barber
OF Seville at the Saturday matt
nee. Every one OF the attractions to be
seen here is among the best in its class
and il is to be hoped that the returns
yielded viii be ample TO repay the different
players for the labor involved.