The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-30


dramatic interest last week. due to the
first city presentation at the National
Theatre of Lorimer Stoddard's adaptation
of F. Marion Crawford's story, In the
Palace of the King" introducing Miss
Viola Allen and an excellent company.
The verdict of Monday nights audience
was that the Liebler Company had oN-
pended fortune upon the production.
and that while the new offering afforded
Miss Allen a splendid opportunity for the
display of her undeniable genius. it VIII
not prove the popular success that The
Christian" was. There were numerous
faults found with the play as first view
ed, a primal complaint being the slow
ness in which the piece gets under way.
The entire opening scene as revealed on
Monday night was ponderous and weari-
some, and while the explanatory charac-
ter of the scene was undoubtedly neces-
sary for a proper understanding of what
was to follow, it did not augur well for
the succeeding scenes. This defsct in the
early performances was remedied, to
great extent, and those who witness I'd
the first presentation of Mr.. Stcddard's
play would scarcely recognize lis revised
structure the latter part of the engage
ment.
Notwithstanding any faults the cap
tious critic may have found with In the
Palace of the King" the local public took
to it with great favor, and Manager Rap
ley's spacious playhouse was thronged
nightly with well-pleased gatherings.
The season at the Columbia was inau-
gurated with Creston Clarke and adelaide
Prince in repertoire OF legitimate plays.
well presented with a fairly good COM
pauy. and with financial results OF graft
flying proportions. Manager Chase's rroIni-
nent offering was Lockhsrt's elephants.
with a number of other admirable acts.
good enough TO attract a series Of large
audiences At the other vaudeville house,
the Academy of Music, under the manage
ment of the Messrs. Hashim, bill that
contained much excellent material pleased
gatherings OF generous size. Kernan's
Lyceum had The Twentieth Century
Maids with good box Office showing
Manager Salisbury provided one Of the
best burlesque companies that has been
seen in Washington for some time, and
the Bijou audiences showed their appre-
citation of the merits of "a New York
Girl" by turning out in large numbers.
An important announcement for tomor-
row night is the first presentation Of
Her Majesty" a play with romantic
tendencies, written by J. l. C. Clarke. and
founded upon the story OF like name Of
Elizabeth Knight Tompkins. The rroduc
ton will serve TO introduce Miss Grace
George in the leading role and the claim
is made by the management that she will
be accompanied by a company Of players
Of Acknowledged ability. Manager Brady
has given the production the benefit of
an elaborate equipment of scenery, and
there is every reason TO believe that the
performance will be noteworthy. Another
new offering-new 10 local amusement
seekers. at least-will be Jefferson De
Angels musical comedy. "a Royal
Rogue" which will be seen at the Ma
tional Mr. De Angels made KS first ap-
pearance in the piece last week in Balti-
more. with what is said to be considerable
success. The Lafayette Square Theatre
will commence its preliminary JASON to-
morrow evening. with Morrisols Faust"
as the attraction. Prior to the enga ge-
ment of Mr.. Berger's stock company at
Manager Painters house. several travel
ing combinations will occupy the stage
The outlook for the local vaudeville
theatres is promising. Manager Chase
will retain as his principal act I.ockhart g
elephants. in addition to which there viii
be the Rossow Midgets and other enter
tanners CO similar high grade. At Ha-
shim's Academy of Mus!3 Camilla Urso,
the violinist; Corrinne. a former comic
opera star. and Richard Harlow, rcmom-
bered for his work as the Daisy Queen Of
Spain in 1892" will head the programme.
Kernan's will present THE Merry Maid
ems" and the Bijou will house Watson's
Oriental Burlesquers."