The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02
sses. The story is simple and is clearly

best and clsancst sort. This comedy ele
ment, like everything else in the play. has
the bree2iness and delightful freshness of
the fields and mills Of New England, and
in itself is a whole entertainment. An
other noteworthy feature of the produc-
tion is the singing of a village choir.
They sing the songs of long ago. which
yet live in the rural portions OF our coun
Try. and their singing is not of the min
strel order or the grand opera type, but
is what might be expected in a country
town.
Way Down East is one OF the few
plays of the century which have been
heartily endorsed by ministers and teach
crs of all denominations. In the story it
tells so convincingly there is contained
great moral lesson of humanity. forbear-
ance and above all that sin is sin alike.
whether committed by man or woman
Scores of sermons have been preached
with this play as a text, and diyines of
many beliefs have time and again ad-
vised their congregations to go and see
the piece and profit by its moral; yet this
moral is never obtruded and in no sense
is it purpose" play.
The Grand-Thc Lafayette Show.
In the presentation of the Great Lafay-
cite and his show this week at the New
Grand, Manager Chase gives to Washing
ten polite vaudeville entertainment of
unusual excellence. The Great Lafayette
is said to be the supreme exponent in this
country of legerdemain, and all that is
alluringly and attractively magical and
mysterious. Not only has he been ac-
corded the distinction of being classed as
superior to Ching Ling Foo, the Chinese
H. a ~ I'm hat
his feats OF startling wonder are almost
beyond comparison. Lafayette's extraor-
binary versatility enables him to turn
from the most difficult and mystifying act
of conjuring to light comedy lightning
change, which sweeps away the tewil-
derment of his audiences before wave
of irresistible laughter. His performance
is audacious and full of fast recurring
surprises. One of the numberless Tea
lures of his act is trayesty on Ching
Ling Foo, IN which he not only duplicates
many of the eminent Celcstiafs most diff
ficult tricks, but branches out into new
lines which would prove startling indeed
to the famed Chinaman himself. Among
his many changes is an imitation Of Sou
sa in which he displays the airy Dorchal-
ance and careful careIessness CT the dis
tinguished band leader, tricks that have
never before been caught by Scusa' S many
impersonators.
The Great Lafayette Show, in lis seven
additional acts, would be considered an
excellent Offering anywhere, even IL the
Great Lafayette himself were not in
cluded. IL is rare combination CT vau-
deyille stars such as are seldom brought
together in one company. and its reputa-
tion of being enc of the finest OF the nl-
I1crcus vaudeville read companies is we'll
deserved. Williams and Tucker. who are
prime fayorites everywhere, are among
the headliners. They will appear in their
novel and most laughable description of
New York tenement life, subject which
is said TO afford unlimited opportunities
fer these clever people. Eminent as a
comedian and monologist, JAMES ]. Nor
ton will provide twenty minutes CT what
is described as constant. honest. and I'M
controllable laughter with his bright say
irgs and amusing stories. Herbert Cav
thorne and Susie Forester, termed the
peerless farce comedians. will give for
the first time here their sketch, "A DAM
age Suit" late foreign comedy sersa-
tion will be shown by Kelly and Ashby
in The Bounding Billiard Table," Smith,
Doty and Coe. form 4 musical trio which
has made the greatest of successes
wherever heard. Alice Pierce will be
seen in her limitations of artists, great
and small. The bill will be completed by
Maude Meredith. who can sing"
Those who have heard Miss Meredith ap-
preciate this modest but striking descrip-
tive epigram. An exceptionally heavy
week for the Lafayette Show.