The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-11

The old Latin proyerb which breaches
that there is no disputing on matters of
taste" suggests another quite as we'll
founded, if clumsier-one voicing the idea
that. in things theatrical. there is no I'M
derstanding matters of preference" Save
in a single instance, this fact never has
been better exempliied than it was last
week. The single instance is afforded by
the Augustin Daily musical comedies,
most of which have drawn larger au-
diences when presented here by mediocre
organizations for a second time than when
sung primarily by the original Broadway
companies. The receipts credited to THE
Geisha'' and "a Runaway Girl" at the
Columbia, however, were not more re-
markable than was the business done by
THE Belle of New York" at the National.
The Kerker- Morton absurdity had been in
Washington twice before, and. though
Dan DAILY was among its interpreters on
both occasions and Edna May on the ear
lier. it had not brought gatherings that
properly might be termed satisfactory.
Only when Mr.. Daily and William Norris
aad Phyllis Rankin had been taken from
the cast-"The Belle of New York with
out Dan DAILY smacks Of nothing SO much
as of a raw oyster without salt-did the
piece make money locally. The reason
may be in the London success OF the offer
ing, or there may be cause for considera-
ton in the circumstance that the profit
less engagements Of THE Belle. THE
Geisha.' and "A Runaway Girl all were
played at a certain uptown house, but, TO
whatever condition the verify is laid, it
remains notable that only when the rem
dering was weak and the vehicle ancient
did George Lederer's property appeal to
the majority OF the amusement lovers of
this city.
Several minor points of interest were
observed during the course of last week.
First among them was the truth that a
drama which the popularity Of E. H.
Sothern could not foist into favor has
but small chance of anything less unde
sirable than failure when given with a
newer star. Second was the fact that, as
claimed frequently in these columns. "ev-
cry attraction shown at a high-class the
atre is not a high-class attraction" Both
were evidenced by the run of "A Colonial
Girl at the Columbia. Howard Gould
and the Furniss- Richardson work have
been doing well IN unimportant towns,
where 81 has been the greatest sum de-
manded for seats, and they might have
sustained their record had their manager
been content with that schedule here. Ac-
cording TO custom, the $3.50 rate prevail
ed. and the result was empty benches.
The Strakosch Company cut its prices at
the lafayette and in consequence the per-
formances Of "Amorita' and THE Mikado"
were fairly attended. Thomas E. Shea
did not do his usual business at the Acad
emy-and when Thomas E. Shea cannot
draw at a resort OF that sort. the resort
is in a bad way. The Grand began the
period with Lydia YeamaDs- as
headliner of its vaudeville bill and ended
with Mabel Maitland in the capacity men
toned. The entertainment was not poor,
but. while it brought good houses. the as
semblages were not up to the standard.
Sam Scribner's Gay Morning Glories"
caused no falling off in the patronage of
kernan's Lyceum. There were recitals
and concerts ad infinitum-almost ad nau-
scum.