Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
COMING ATTRACTIONS.

COLUMBIA TIIEATER.-Lovers Of the
legitimate drama will have an opportunity
next week at the Columbia of seeing un-
doubtedly one of the best, IL not the best.
opponents of that class of drama, Freder-
lex Warde. The repertoire will consist of
five different plays, each one to be given
with careful attention to detail and elab-
crate scenic effects, while the costuming
has not only the recommendation of being
gorgeous. but fs absolutely historically
correct. The novelty of a new and success
full play should also add Zest to the occa-
sion. The Dukes Jester" romantic
comedy from the pen of Espy Williams
and written especially for Mr.. Warde, will
be made the principal feature of the re-
pertoire. Mr.. Warde's company Is headed
by six actors who were leading men for
their respective stars last season. and even
the minor parts. which are SO often handed
out to beginners, are in the hands of eXpe-
rienced actors. Accompanying Mr. Warde
as leading lady is Mrs. Clarence NJ. Bruno
who in THE Dukes Jester" has the role of
Nina de Borgio, and who has. through the
south and west made a splendid impression
She has shown in the emotional roles
strong dramatic ability. The remainder of
the company includes Charles D. Herman
Frank Hennig. John Sturgeon, Alexander
Mckenzie. Harry c. Barton, Charles H
Clarke and Miss May Warde, a comnany
which should certainly show to splendid ad-
vantage In the repertoire announced for
Thursday evenings and Saturday matinee.
THE Dukes Jester" Tuesday evening and
Thursday matinee, 1.-The Lions Mouth"
"Wednesday evening. The Merchant of
Venice" Friday evening, Romeo and Ju-
liet;' Saturday evening, Richard III"
NEW NATIONAL. THEATER.-The COM
Ing of THE Degenerates." Mrs. Langtry's
the New National Theater beginning on
Monday night has created much interest
among theater patrons. The principal
character Of the story is woman who
q mad fr,r boz,
who is selfish. owns race horses and defies
criticism. Although not morally bad, she
dtsregards the usages of conventional So
ctety. This woman has daughter at
school in France who Is at first almost
hated as a growing menace to her selfish
independence. but who in the end is wor-
SHIPPED as the savior of her social status
The beginning of the play shows that this
woman tplayed by Mrs. Langtry) Is In love
with a duke, who has searched the world
for his Ideal woman in vain. She has an
other admirer. a baronet with a Jealous
wife, and with this baronet she makes a.
midnight rendezvous The baronet's wife
hearing of 1t. proposes to punish her hus-
band in like and arranges to throw away
her social character with a. rascal. But no
sooner have the arrangements all been
completed than the young daughter unex-
pectedly arrives and the influence she casts
about her has its effect and proves that
pure girlish love for her mother is a yery
strong factor even in degenerate social cir
cles. Mrs Trevalyan takes on her own
shoulders the odium OF a questionable stu
alton to save the name of the woman who
had wronged her. The duke, who has fig-
ured in every incident of the play, learns
the truth. Mrs. Trevalyan's self-abnega-
ton convinces him that he has found the
true woman after alt. and he tells her so.
The play throughout is rich in epigram and
smart sentences. Splendid promises are
made in the way of the scenic production.
which will be identically the same as was
seen during the long run in London and
during the recent five weeks engagement
at the Garden Theater, New York Mrs.
Langtry brings with her her own English
company, headed by Mr.. Frederick Kerr.
one of London's best leading men
THE NEW GRAND.-Confidence in the
New Grand's weekly bills and appreciation
of the highly reputable character of the
theater are the principal factors contribute
ing to the really remarkable success of this
play house since the season began. Judg-
Ing from the well-known yaudeviiians max
ing I'D next weeks bill 1t is safe to predict
that 1t will prove even more satisfactory
than the highly pleasing current bin, Eohf
Hilliard, the eminent New York star and
leading man, heads 1t with his own dramas
tization. 1.-THE Littlest Girl" based on
Richard Harding Davis story Her First
Appearance" He is supported by his own
dramatic company, and the little episode e