Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-24
ANUSE MENTS.

COLUMBIA THEATER-The Hanlons
opened a weeks engagement at the Column
bia Theater last evening, in their new
piece. "A Lively Legacy The plot was
obtained from Mr. E. E Kidder's play fac
tory, which has produced some of Sol.
Smith Russelrs most popular wares. But
the main essentials were provided by the
Hanlons themselves, who, having served
faithfully as acrobats and clowns to amuse
the public, have retired to the dignity of
proprietorship. They content themselves
with devising scenery which can be taken
apart or turned inside out in the twtnkling
of an eye. The whole affair is the most
arrant foOlishness, and Mr. Minister'S or
Chestra should be instructed to play for the
benefit of the adults who assemble
Backward. turn backward. oh, time in
thy flight.
Make me a child again just for tonight"
He who can let his mentality glide supine-
ly through the years until he lands at the
stage where he can gaze open-mouthe1 at
the perambulating furniture and the lath
and canvas locomotive and even munich
gum drops during the EXTRACT is a lucky
person. The trick show is a good land
mark for the theater goer to observe. When
the antics of the ninble acrobat begin to
pail and the crash of mimic walls no more
Gstonish you. beware. You are growing old
not in the mere matter of years, for the
| flight of seasons is something outside in
UlN Iuudl TeSrbOllSlDlEly. But Wnen these
charms appeal wholly in vain, you are los
ing the elasticity of impression, and the
keenness of intellectual appetite. such as
mark the good, buoyant temperament which
scOrns the calendar and is young at sew
enty, while less resilient natures are old at
thirty-five.
The audience last night was at first
rather disposed to stand on its dignity, and
the scenery, too, at times showed the need
of few more rehearsals. But by the time
the evening was half over the people were
broadly smiling their appreciation. Most
of the comedy was very attenuated in
quality, but il gave the men concerned
abundant opportunity to fall down. There
were wind storm. explosions in plenty,
and a trick sofa which upset the comic
people, but which inteiligentiy discrimi-
mated in favor of Laura Joyce Bell and
other ladies who had their best clothes on.
May Nokes got tipped over by the trick
sofa oftener than any one else. Her Ger
man dialect was delicious and her humor
absolutely genuine. She is the best gawky
girl seen here since Sis Hopkins" Will
liam Blaisdell played a character part-that
of a Portuguese-for all there was In it,
and demonstrated that he is an actor Of
ability. Oscar L. Figman had a striking
makeup as the cadaverOuS curate. The
entertainment IS still crude. The HanIons
having dispensed with the clowns who for
merry lent their efforts have provided moth
ing to take their places. Julian Mitchell
who has had much success in staging
spectacular farces. and Edgar Smith, who
mas written lyrics for Weber & Fields are
expected in the city this week, and they
| may make some very desirable changes in
the piece. contributing something for the
ear; to appreciate in addition to the liberal
| appeal now made to the eye.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER Should
| the audience present at the National last
night to witness Viola Allen in THE Chris
| tian" be transported to a church the ca
pable minister would find himself confront
| ed by the most enthusiastic congregation
| that could be gathered. 1t is doubtful If
| the sacred atmosphere OF the church would
| restrain the people in their fervor of ex-
| uberance. This declaration is based, OF
| course, upon their action last night, when
/ every expression of religious sentiment OF
| the higher human purposes called forth the
| widest applause. II is true the staid old
4 habitues of the lower floor reserved mos,
4 of their evidences of approval for the high.
| er bits of acting attained by Miss Allen
| and several members of her supporting
| company. The gallery and the balcony
| however, We're quite boisterous at times If
| giving voice TO their appreciation of things
noble. THE Christian has now seen two
seasons of unqualified success and little
can be added to the comments that have
greeted the play throughout the continent
| Last nights audience apparently enjoyed
| The Christian very much. The excellenc,
| of the players. whose work would redeem
the worst of plays, still calls for the high
| est praise. Hall Gaines play has adde,
| many fold to the reputation of Miss Allen
has reflected the art with which she 4
plentffully endowed. and lined the pocket
of Lieb,er & Company with dollars untold
In following the fine work OF Miss ALE,
and her cast one must be blinded to an