The times., 1899-05-21

Seats ordered for the Maude Adams pro-
duction of Romeo and Juliet" and not yet
called for will be placed on sale to the
first applying, thus opening up. some OF
the choicest locations in the house. While
the sale is immense, there are vacancies
in all parts of the theatre.
If there is anything in name, and many
people believe there is Shakespeare to the
contrary Notwithstanding, THE Hot Air
Burlesquers," which appear here in
'Hughey" Kernan's benefit should be con-
siderably torrid. Seats for the two benefit
performances are going rapidly and the
many friends OF the popular manager pro-
pose to make him remember the occasion
to the last of his days.
Preparations for the three big exhibi-
tions to be given by the Pain Fireworks
Company during the Jubilee have been
completed and the management promise
the most stupendous thing of the kind ever
presented in Washington. Each of the
Il, 600 seats is said to offer a perfect view
of the pyrotechnics. Seats are now on sale
at Guzman's, in Droop's music store.
While there are to be many pleasant
features connected with the Peace Jubilee,
few will give more pleasure than the con-
cert on next Friday evening, at Convention
Hall The music committee has labored
hard in behalf of this concert and have
chosen two of the ablest directors in the
city. Mr. Herman Rakemann and Mr.. VIII
liam Waldecker. Mr.. Rakemann, who is
10 direct the orchestra, is well known
among music lovers in this city, both as a
violinist and as director, and for this oc-
casion he has been given carte blanche in
selecting his orchestra of sixty musicians.
The chorus, under the direction Of Mr..
William Waldecker, promises TO be sur
prise; it will number 800 voices, and as
the committee has had the assistance OF
the prominent vocal teachers and choir d.
rectors in the city, the result is that they
have gathered in many of the able singers
in this city. Mr.. Waldecker states that he
has never had the pleasure Of conducting
such a fine chorus. AS an added feature
the magnificent decorations are 10 remain
in the hall from the Reyelries, and the
public will not only hear one of the most
enjoyable concerts ever given in this city
by local musicians, but will also have the
pleasure of viewing the beautiful decora-
tions.
There is a ditty of unusual timbre and
wording in the second act OF Way Down
| East" and It is so well sung that it bas
attracted universal attention. Charles Bell
| is the vocalist, and he retains the character
of Rube Whipple the village constable,
| throughout its rendition. The refrain runs
like this:
A grea. big hat with great big brim,
AL bound round with woolen string.
Tie song is not constructed especially
for the beautiful pastoral drama, but is a
legitimate "old timer" being found in the
ha ranotitinD
then being:
He donnes hys hattie with a aappynge briIn,
All bound round with woolen thrim.
The authors of the play have kept close
to the old-time ideas in everything, each
character being type. possibly exaggerat-
ed, but amusing and natural for all that
An instance OF the careful study which
Phoebe Davies devotes to her part in
Way Down East occurred while a Times
man was interviewing her during her first
visit here. It was just after the act in
which Miss Davies. in the character of
Anna Moore, is driven from the home OF
Squire Bartlett into the binding, whirl-
ing snoIstDrm. The actress had changed
her gown for one showing the effect of the
terrible nights exposure and carefully
brushed a few tiny bits of paper-which
served as snowhakes-from the dress.
why do you not leave the snow on the
gown ?" asked the critic. Would you not
naturally have snow upon your garments
after a night IN the woods?' Yes" was
the reply; Il doubtless would have snow
all over me, but II would all melt when
! am placed before the fire in the sugar
camp. Then the people would know it
was not snow. but paper and the effect OF
the whole be minimized. So l choose the
lesser evil and brush OF every bit Of the
white stun"
There is more or less similarity between
all the pastoral dramas now being pre-
sented All strive to carry the memory
back to the country home; each presents
characters more or less exaggerated to
furnish amusement TO the comedy seeker;
every one includes a heart story of more OF
less power. IL is a question whether some
of the characters in rural plays are really
oyerdrawn. When Charles Hoyt wrote "A
Temperance Town" he had in mind an old
gentleman living near his boyhood home
as he drew the lines and business for
| the oldest inhabitant." George 0ber was
| intrusted with the creation OF the part and
| in rehearsal did not realize the authors
| idea, great and experienced actor though
he Is. AS a result of the dispute, author
| and actor took a trip across the greater
part of New England. finally reaching the
| domicile OF the original oldest inhabi-
tant" Ober was convinced and made w
| the part as Hoyt originally advised. True
Denman Thompson is an overdrawn type
emphasized by the fact that no stage man.
| ager could "call down" both actor and
author. James A. Hearne probably reach