Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-14

MUSIC

when We Were Twenty-One' leaves
gentle "Reminiscences Of the week behind
it. The reception accorded Nat c. Goodwin
and Maxine Elliott in this play was most
fiattering. Despite the fragrant characters
introduced in the Corinthian Club scene, 1t
is a gracious bit of high-ciass drama, the
improper people being utilized only as sub
ordinate dramatic mechanism, and not
being permitted to monOpoliZe the interest
of the action nor to dominate the personnel
Of the cast Whether or not 1t Is well to in
troduce these characters at all in the drama
is question for ethical discussion, and one
upon which erudite philosophers might
easily disagree. 1t is frank, hearty story
with something of the youthful interest in
1t which made 1.-The Greatest Thing in the
World so wholesomely appealing. The boy
who is dabbling in danger and the older
head and loving heart that plunges after
him, even into the muck to save him, con-
stitute theme whose embellishments would
have to be very rank indeed to justify its
unqualified classification as immoral.
Frank Daniels had another good week at
the Columbia Theater. Mr.. Daniels grew
less complaisant about delivering the little
speech which made such hit, although his
audiences had learned to love it, and de-
manded it over and over again. Indeed
they would have been entirely content to
hear him deliver it twice in the same even
Ing. But Mr. Daniels grew coy, and cher
ished unjust fears that the public might
come to suspect that he was less fertile in
oratoricai resources than other comic opera
comedians. 1t is we'll known that some
gentlemen who are irresistible fun makers
on the stage, and some who in addition are
cultured and thoroughly studied are wholly
at loss for words when a genuine extern
pore speech before the curtain is required
1t would be pity to have so high stand
ard called for in this connection that the
public will be compelled to forego certain
speeches entirely. These little additional
Injuries have come to be so highly valued
mat they ought not to be analysed too
closely IN the matter of Spontanety Any
curtain speech, even an old one, is better
than no speech at all.
The New Grand has had The Girl With
the Auburn Hair" with no end of prelmi-
nary booming, and good, though not over
Whelmipg, share of present merit az the
chief attraction. The Guilty Mother at
the Academy presented a case absolutely
devoid of extenuating circumstances.
Next week James Young, an actor who's,
previous record is good although limited in
extent by his lack of years, will produce
LORD Byron play by a young woman,
Miss Rlda Louise Johnson. Two seasons
ago Mr.. Young was seen in Washington,
and he was then looked upon as an actor
OF great promise, the possessor of an at
tractive personality and the rare ability
to read intelligently. The esteem in which
he was later held by Augustiu DAILY Is an
evidence that he was making that progress
In his art expected by those who saw his
work then: Mr. Young practically has the
dramatic field to himself
Later in the week the New National will
open Its doors to the delights, although 1T
is to be hoped not 10 the Vicissitudes of
Grand Opera. The singers and the operas
are both of a calber to appeal to music
haf
the season will be one of artistic brilliancy
and social interest. THE Three Little
Lambs will cause the electric lights to
shine once more at the Lafayette Sauara
The Academy will have farce comedy
The Irish Alderman" and the New Grand
Will bring in well-known vaudeville COM
pany.
The successful second week of Frank
Daniels revives the discussion which has
long been current among theatrical mana
gers of Washington as a two weeks stand
for big attractions. The enthusiasm with
which entertainments with real merit, either
in the matter or in the manner of produce
ton. are welcomed and the lberality with
which they are patroniZed make this a city
of Importance in booking attractions. Re
turn engagements Of good plays have been
prosperous, and the people here rarely, II
ever fail to enjoy an opportunity of seeing
everything that Is worthy Of note. There
nave DttH new OTh pTOuuCllOnS, SuCn tlS
Ben Hur'' and Sherlock Holmes" which
have been delayed by long runs, but there
is some compensating satisfaction in the
fact that New York was obliged to wait
for Its "Oliver Goldsmith and its "Quo
Vadis,' not to mention its 'Sapho."
The "Sapho" antagonlsm naturally de-
veloped something of the same spirit to
Mrs Langtrys new play, THE Degener-
ates," and the police department of this
city has been approached on behalf of
ladies who are interested in matters of
social reform with a view to having Its per-
Torrance, which is soon to occur in this
city. stopped. The idea does not appear to
be a practical one. The authorities of
Newark, n. j., were desired to take such
action. and they decided that they would
have the play rigidly inspected on Monday
night, and then decide whether they would
let it run or not. Mrs. Langtry announced
that rather than submit her season to the
critical and moral censorship of the New
ark, N. j., police. she would cut the en-
very lavish theater city, and 1t is thought
that Mrs. Langtry had no objection to rest
Ing during Holy week as a matter of bust
ness prudence. The agitation in New York
over "Sapho' has resulted in nothing ex-
cept advertisement for the attraction and
the emphasizing of any demoralizng In
huences 1t may have possessed. There Is no
present intention of complcating the duties
of the District government with the sweep
ing responsibilities Of play censorship.
The Columbia Theater is to have a stock
company this spring. 1t will open next
month under the management of Walter
Craven. 1t will present one or two serious
plays. but the repertoire will consist mainly
of legitimate comedies. Mr.. Craven Is an
experienced stage manager and is well
known here.
A hint as to the training of animals
may be CLEANED from the remarks of Lit
tie Fred" noted as one of the most re-
markable trainers of domestic animals In
the world 1T is an easy and simple mat
ter, says Little Fred, ito teach a dog to
turn single somersault; but when II comes
to two--and doing that in mid-air, five or
twenty feet above the stage floor-it is a
very different thing. You hurt a dog in
teaching him the trick and he loses conf
dence in you, and that means lie can't do
II at all afterward or at least until he has
forgotten all about it. and that may be a
long time, II ever. l always carry two sets
OF dogs for such feats so that in case of
mishap or sickness / am never disap-
pointed"
How do 1 come to be SO musical?' re-