Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-16

ments In the dramatization, the story Of
Sapho survives the marks of adaptation
like some towering rock which vandalism
may deface. but whose majestic beauty
cannot be destroyed.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-wiliamG reet's
LONDON company, presenting The Sign of
the cross, Is the attractive offering this
week at the Columbia Pheater. Mr.. Will
son Barretts drama of Pagan Rome in the
reign of Nero, in the class of plays 1t rep
resents stands boldly out as unqualified
success. The play has been seen in Wash
1ngton several times, but that it is still a
strong attraction was evidenced last even
ing at the Columbia, when full house wit
messed the performance. The Sign Of
the Cross needs no further commentator
at. this time. 1t is a story of the sufferings
of the Christians in the days of the ancient
Roman capital, and into it is woven the
love tale of Marcus Superbus. the much
feared project of Rome, who. after years
of frivolty and Righteousness finds in
Mercia. the Christian girl, the one woman
who arouses in him a higher and purer af-
lection. She wins him to her belief and
the former cruel pagan wilingiy ~, follows low,
her to a sacrifice in Nero's arena. The play
is impressive and always deeply affects an
audience. some of its scenes being almost
too cruelty realistic. The interpreting COM
pany this year is very much the same as
that seen here last season. with the eX-
ception of the two leading feminine Chris
tian roles. Mr.. Charles Dalton is still the
calmly powerful portrayer of Marcus. Mr..
w. r. Bonney is again seen as Nero, Mr..
Frank H. Westerson as Tgellinus, and
George Flood as Licinius. Mr.. Westersons
work is especially good. Miss Agnes Scott
has her old part Beren's. the patric1an.
in which she is womanly throughout. Mer-
cia, the Christian girl. is this year intrusted
to Miss Lille Thurlow. she having replaced
Miss Irene Rookie. Miss Gertrude Boswell
plays Stephanus, having replaced Miss
Maude Warrilow. These two young wo-
men are just convincing. Just as simple
and as competent as were their predeces-
20 10Th cfa ard
strictly maintained through their presence
The production is an elaborate one.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
A good sized audience assembled at the
Lafayette Square Opera House last night
to listen to the first performance of the
StrakoSch Opera Company. The organ1za-
ton is practically the same as was heard
here earlier in the season. although the
chorus has been increased in numbers and
the scenery is perhaps more elaborate The
company has two new tenors, both of whom
appeared last night. The principals who
are familiar to Washington audiences are
Miss Clara Lane Miss Amelia Fields, Miss
Eleanor Kent and Mr.. J. X. Murray Miss
Lane and Mr.. Murray have had large eX-
perience both in grand and comic opera.
and are always welcome because capable
and honest work may be expected from
them. The others are newer in the bust
ness and have yet much to learn. The hill
last night included Gilbert and Sullivan's
"Pinafore'' and Mascagnfs 'Cavalleria
Rusticana. The first presented Miss Kent
as Josephine, Miss Fields as Buttercup,
Mr. Murray as Capt Corcoran. Edward
Webb as Sir Joseph. Grafton Baker as
Ralph Rackstraw, Fred Frear as Dick
Dead Eye and Mr. Mulkay as Bill Bobstay.
The tuneful and familiar music of the OPP
era was generally well sung, and MI Muir
The bell trio received a double encore
through the efforts of Messrs. Murray and
Webb and Mr.. Mulkay had to repeat his
song. He Was an Englishman" Mr.
Baker sang better than he acted and the
chorus was adequate. In Mascagni's tragic
story set to such beautiful music, the hon
ors fell to Miss Lane, who sang Santuzza
in good voice and who acted with true
dramatic power. Mr. Murray was the
ALTO and was quite effective, although this
is not one of his best parts. Mr.. Stephens
sang Turridu far better than the average
tenor and acted with considerable spirit and
force, his duet with SantuZza being espe-
ciany effective, as was also his drinking
song. In this opera the chorus deserves
especial mention for its good work. the
prayer before entering the church being
sung with such excellent precision and eff
feet that it was obliged to be repeated. In
this number the soprano obligato by Miss
Lane was finely interpreted The Lola was
Miss Kent, and the Lucia Miss Fields,
both of whom have been heard in the roles
before. The orchestra was too small to
give full effect to the beautiful score of
Mascagni, still it played in good form and
won an encore lSF us WORK III the inter-
mezzo. Tonight "Nanon'' will be given.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC-James H. Wal
ticks scenic production, The King OF
Rcgues," was presented at the Academy of
Music last night and packed gallery gave
it an enthusiastic reception. Mr.. Wallick is
also the proprietor of When London
Sleeps and other melodramas but 1t is
doubtful whether he has a more improbable,
st:lted or poorly acted attraction under his
The prices at the Academy are
popular, but THE King of Rogues" belongs
in the country towns The scenery, while
elaborate is poorly painted and eXagger-
ated, the story of the play ridiculous in it's
improbability and situations while the pei
formers were minus the ability to make
the telling heroic speeches effective or SEN
sational at the climaxes The patrons of
the lower floor of the Academy are not
hard to please, as a rule, but THE King of
Rogues' last night brought forth many
wearied expression.
NEW GRAND OPERA HOUSE.-The
Chinese magician Ching Ling Foo and a
number of specialties make up the pro-
gram at the New Grand this week
.KERNAN'S LYCEUM THEATER.-Har-
ry Bryant's Australian Burlesquers are at
kernan's this week, and the patrons of the
house, remembering the well-earned repu-
tation of this company, crowded the house
at both performances yesterday. The bur-
lesque is left for the end of the bill and
orally speaking. is good, although there are
spots which might be eliminated with
credit. Edna Urine sings herself on and
off the stage. Harry Bryant and Anna Yale
combine in a sketch, Just Married." that
Is very Bryantesque. Nelson, Glinseretti
and Demonio offered first-class acrobatic
specially, consisting of horizontal bar work
and tumbling. Collins and Cline, assisted
by 'Rastus, came next The bill should
read Rastus, assisted by Collins and Cline,
for the little darby won most of the APP
plause. But it pleased the gallery and it
made noise enough in approval. THE Sou
brette's Art Gallery was the title of the
burlesQue.
BIJOU THEATER.-There is enough vul-
garity in the performance at the Bijou this
week to satisfy the most prurient Luckily
T. all comes together In the first part, when
the stock company offers "a French Mock
Turtle The oio Is better than usual,
opening with Bickel and Watson, the Ger
man fun-makers. They merited the excel
lent reception accorded. James Richmond
Glenroy was whole show in himself The
closed with Mile. Ami in
thrilling performance on the high trapeZe.
MRS. FiSkE AS BECKY SHARP.-The
appearance of Mrs. F'iske in Becky Sharp
r,lo,r