The times., 1899-01-01

10 something more brutal, and the reward
OF the young author should he win was not
TO have been n kiss. When Zsza blinded
Dufrene with her voiuptcous oeauty III
The audacious first act produced at the
LAFAYETTE people in the audience gasped,
and vet the scene had been greatly modi-
aed. The Zaza. to whom Messrs Simon and
Burton introduced their friends was bad in
the beginning and still bad at the end OF
the work-the Zaza recommended by Mr..
Belasco is woman from her first en-
trance to her final exit.
This is Mr.. Belascos effort and this is
its excuse--if it needs one. There is moth
ing on the face of the Offering that Is not
sincere and oreditable and honest. One
who finds obsceniiy-one who finds any
thing obnoxious or ohjectional or offensive
in "Zaza, must have probed for IL bs-
yond the depths of the authors intent.
Certainly no greater argument for breadth
and frankness has ever been offered in an
American theater.
For the rest, The Times can only reiter-
ate what il printed on Tuesday morning.
AS one sees the drama over and over
again--as he finds time TO give 20 II the
consideration deserved he grows mere en-
thusiastic and more ambitious in his com
mendat.oD. "Zaza" is rot only good pay,
but it Is Z great one. 1t is stronger than
Denise or ldHlltlt uI AdiihtH Va
"Magda. The last act, which most ie-
sembles that OF "A Partisan Romance. is
more moving than that work could have
been even before the characterization
Mansfield gave the Baron Cheyrial made
the final scene uninteresting. "Zaza is
bound TO succeed
There was received at the Office Of the
dramatic department of The Times yes
terday the following letter:
Dramatic Editor Times:
Dear Sir: The inc,osed communication is for
warded TO you fer private reading or for pub
lioation il you desire 10 print II. send It with
the idea or sti.fening, hguratiyeiy. the backbone
of your page although / hardly think that
operation necessary. read the alleged criticisms
in all the papers, but ! rely on those of The
Times. Hence the iEclosed epstie.
Yours respectfully.
THOMAS ". GltMER
The inclosure mentioned relates not Cniy
to the policy of this paper, but to several
other matters OF importance to managers.
and is, therefore, reproduced here. IL fol-
lows:
In The Times OF December . I read very
interesting recapitulatiOn OF the theatrical events
of this season. showing the general nature OF the
paper's criticism in each case and the suhse-
quent fate of the venture. Indeed, you did
pick the winner every time, and ! am not
the only reader who has discovered that fact
| know you must make enemies by your
fearless and accurate comments each week
comments entitled The Passing show and
Friends of Last Week"-but for every one
you secure hundreds OF friends who thank YOU
for your fIankness. When the so-called Friends
of Last Week become your foes the thcater-
goers Join with you against them, except oe-
c.sionally, when, you say, DE public y
tam fools" You cited sad case of this IN
the case Of the French freak Of miik-hath tame
NfaFfa ~ 70
get the managers to publish their price lists
every week The charges vary, and nothing Is
gained by withholding this information. The
patron who IS not told about raise in prices
until he reaches the box Office Is not pleased
with those who have kept back the scale OF
rates even il he does not define TO purchase
tickets on that occasion. THOMAS W GIlNER-
Mr.. Gilmer is perfectly right regarding
the publication OF the scale he mentions.
The slight ySriance usual in rates often
grows sufficiently to make matters very
embarrassing to the prospective purchaser
who has not expected to pay so
much for the privilege of wit
Messing an entertainment There are
few programmes in the country outside
of washington on which are not printed
| the prices OF seats at the theaters in
which the bill is issued. A move OF .nat
! sort here would be move in the right dl-
rection. and would be appreciated gen.
orally.
! Mr.. GIImer's commendatory remarks on
/ the course pursued by The Times are most
| thankfully received. It is fully realized
that to constant repetition OF the truth,
| the whole truth and nothing but the
! truth" the cooperation OF the public is
| necessary. Since criticisms are primarily
printed for the public, Mr.. Gilmer's COM
} munication is most gratifying.
-----
! There are to be a number OF interest
| ing and attractive combinations in town
this week all OF which will probably re-
ceive their need OF patronage. But for the
theatergoers who desire to be perfume
torily entertained for an evening, but by
the best performance of its class within
reach, nothing can be more highly recon-
mended than the Rogers Brothers "Reigr
| of Error" The local stage has never been
visited by a musical farce of more worth
| than this The presenting company is ap
unequaled one, the costumes are tasty. the
| scenery handsome, the music charming and
the chorus composed of pretty girls who
| can sing. On the occasion of the Rogers
Brothers last trip to this city they wert
no, treated popularly as they deserved &c
be. and hence WashingtOnians may feel il
a sort of duty to witness the performance
this week And the duty will be found tc
| be pleasant one.