Evening star., 1900-05-19

popular appeal II. II. SOtHeIli ploouelioAA
of "A Sunken Bell" was an occasion OF
| much literary Importance. 1t is safe to say
| that had the question concerning its quality
been one of morals rather than OF art the
house would have been crowded. AS it was,
| the revival of 1.-THE Kings Musketeer"
ELECTED a response which compensated in
| some degree for the lack of interest in 1.-The
Sunken Bell" Sothern as q cavalier is al
was q delight and Miss Harmed is an ac-
| tress who has never yet failed to grace a
scene for which she is cast. The one
night engagement of Weber & Fields was
one of the briefest but most hilarious events
of tho season. 1t was a matter of general
regret that they made their stay so short.
This organization is absolutely unique.
There is no telling what it will do next
except make money.
At the Academy Of Music the colored
contingent held high carnival and demon
strated that the cake walk is far from be-
ing an obsolete institution. 1t is lights out"
| at the Academy tonight-and next the con-
| tinuous. The New Grand proposes to take
flyer in this style of entertainment with
out delay, and has a ffteen-act bill ready
for Shriners week.
The Columbia will close its regular sea-
son. but net it's doors, with one of the most
brilliant of its list of attractions. the Fran
els Wilson revival of "Erminie' Immedi-
ately following the Wilson engagement
comes the summer stock company, with an
| attractive list of old friends and new as
pirants to capital city favor.
washirgtonians each spring look forward
| with great deal of pleasure to its summer
stock company at the Columbia Theater
which has become the home of summer en-
tertainment. Thoy have each year I'M
proved the r5 nF he nv and
plays, and this season the management
promise a company and a list of plays high
above any standard heretofore set. This
season, following Francis Wilson at the Co
lumbia. the week of May IS. will inaugurate
the fourth year of stock companies at this
theatec. The company submitted includes
some of the best-knoWn players on the
American stage. the men being headed by
Wm Morris, who was for years the leading
man at the Empire Theater. New York,
and created the leading roles in Mr.. Charles
frohmans splendid company at that thea
ter He was succeeded there by Henry Mil
Ter when Mr. Frohman decided to star him
in some of his big New York successes.
Last season he starred in 1.-The Adventures
of Lady Ursula, and the impression made
by him in this play was most pleasant. In
the opening bill Mr.. Morris plays his origi-
raj part created by him the presenta-
ton of this play in New York. Stephen
Gratten is another one Of the Frohman
forces, and was the juvenile member of
Daniel Frohmans Lyceum Stock Company
for several years, and created many i'm
portant roles with that organization.
Charles B. Welles is character actor who
has been associated with many Of the lead
ing companies. Charles Stanley will play
the comedy roles. He was last seen in this
city in an important part with Charles
Coghan in aThe Royal Box" He Is an
actor of wide experience. and stands high
in the theatrical profession. Charles Lane,
Willard Curtis, Clifford Leigh and Fred. A.
Thompson are young men who are sure to
give a good account of themselves; Mr..
Leigh was last seen here with Stuart Rob
son in "Oliver Goldsmith" while Mr..
Thompson has been intrusted with some
very important parts by Mr.. Mansfield, in
whose company he has been for the last
two years. The female portion of the COM
pany is headed by Katherine Grey, who is
well known in this city. She was last
seen here with Mrs Sarah CowelI LIE Moyne
In THE Greatest Thing in the World" and
| with Mr.. Richard Mansfield last season in
the part of Roxane in "Cyrano de Der
gerac." Miss Grey is very popular here,
and her work with the stock company at
this theater four years ago still fingers as
pleasant memory of that organiza ton.
Olive Oliver also is a leading woman of
recognized ability: She played leading
| season, and has also played many leading
parts with Charles and Daniel Frohman
during the past five or six Years. The in
genue is Margaret Mayo who is to be re-
membered from her work of the season be-
fore last She was last seen here with
Charles F'rohmans Because She Loved
Him So" company, and has been engaged
by him for an important role in one of his
new productions this fall. Eleanor Carey,
another member of the organization, is
pleasantly remembered by theater-goers of
a few years ago as a star. She has created
many roles in prominent New York COM
paries and is now finishing an engagement
in Miss Nethersoles company at Wallacks 5
Theater. New York. The management. be-
leving that theater-goers in this city no
longer care for farces. have decided to
present David Be!asco's powerful play of
human interest, Men and Women. The
original presentation of this comedy-drama
was made under the direction of Charles
F'rohman at the Twenty-thrd Street Thea
ter now Proctor's New York where 1t
enjoyed run of one year and helped to
build the foundation of a fortune for both
Mr. Belasco and Mr.. Frohman.
The enterprise of Weber & Fields Is just
now astonishing New York and the theatrl-
cal world. Last season the action Of this
firm in securing Lillian Russell at a big
salary attracted a great deal of attention,
but this season-athe indications are that
Weber & Fields will be more talked about
than ever. Last week Fay Templeton
placed her name to a contract calling for
two years service, and Monday night OF
tnlS week be " o1A fAopper LOOK u JouIiey
to Baltimore, held q consultation with the
| burlesque managers, and as a result his
name also grsees a contract calling for two
years service es. Not content with these
two very impprtant acquisitions, Weber &
Fields have approached May Irwin with
generous offeE.for her services for the next
two years, aIf this popular star has until
tonight to acqspt or decline the offer. The
idea of taking May Irwin out of farce
comedy appears ridiculous at first sight, as
she is one of the best paying stars on the
road, but on lthe other hand 1t should be
understood th6,t Miss Irwin is wealthy. This
| financial independence will probably result
| in Miss Irwin signing with the New York
managers. 1t will enable her to take mat
ters easy for two years. make tremendous
reputation with the New Workers, and in
addition receive in the neighborhood Of
| 81 700 a week. LILLIAN Russell Is said to
receive 81, 200, De Wolf Hopper about 81. 500
and Fay Templeton nearly 500. In addi-
ton to this galaxy of burlesque stars there
are Dave Warfield. John Kelly and Charles
Ross. all hlgh-priced people. Should May
Irwin be secured May Robson will probably
be returned to Charles F'rohman, from
whom she was borrowed for the burlesque
on Barbara Frietchie." This outlay of
money by Weber & Fields has caused con-
siderable gossip as to the sum realized by
than IN their house during the past