Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-13

Is. IN fact, not detail of the production
which has been shirked, and the audience
which crowded the thaater waited without
impatience while the settings were adjust
ed. although 1t was very near midnight
when the great spectacle-drama was con-
cluded.
The propriety of the orchestra's selections
for entr-acte music is especially to be COM
mended, as this point is frequently over
looked in some of the most ambitious stage
enterprises. The absence of vendors of all
kinds was another abstinence calculated to
sooth the sensitive. "Quo Vadis'' has the
distinction of being great production, with
a cast strong enough to eclipse even the
splendors of Its own scenery. 1t is probable
that an extra matinee will be given in order
to meet the demand for seats.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER-when
Jerome X. jerome can write such an anus
ing play Miss Hobbs" it is not strange
that he gives up writing those funny, whim-
seal sketches that have delighted so MANY
and now devotes his time and talent to the
stage. Yet entertaining as the play is the
players are even better. AS the conse-
qGence a thoroughly delightful evening was
spent by those who went to the National
1heater last evening. 1t was large gath
ering, and it was heartily responsive
one. 1t took dear old Mrs. Gilbert to
its heart at once and gave her such greet
ing when she first appeared that she must
have been sensible of the warm and wide
spread affection felt for her. But the 9TH
erS had to earn the cheers they received.
Even MISS Russell, thoroughly eSttlDllSneQ
In popular favor as she Is. was not well
coined with tho heartiness that greeted
Mrs. Gilbert But good work by star or
satellite was recognized and evidence was
given that 1t was appreciated. In fact, the
laughter ami the applause were as nearly
continuous as that much-abused word has
come now to signify. One was recalled to
the days when Rosina VCkes used to take
a play on her shoulders, and although given
able assistance, would carry 1t through the
evening by the strength of her own per-
Sonality ROsina Vokes' charm lay largely
in her unconventionality, her freedom from
staginess, in fact, her naturalness. Miss
Russell possesses this attribute to a great
degree. An unusually mobile face ex-
presses the rapidly succeeding phases of
thought and feeling so wildly that the
spectator hardly needs the spoken word
in fact. far mora is revealed than is given in
the lines.
Miss Russell personates a man Halter, or.
rather, one who would release her sisters
from the drudgery of matrimony. a sort Of
female Edwin Markham protesting against
the sins of the ages-committed by man.
Her chief joy is alternating sweethearts and
separating husband and wife. While prose-
cutting this inspired work she arranges lit
tie snare for one whom she believes to be
the husband of her dearest friend. OF
course, the snarer is ensnared the wild one
is tanned and disdain is turned to devotion.
In the process there are some exquisite
passages which raise somewhat common
place situation to one Of deep interest.
Mr.. jerome mas written SaNdSely enough
about the follies of playwrights to keep
him from falling into the same mistakes.
Thus he does not dwell on a sentiment long
enough for it to become mawkish. This is
shown in the scene on the yacht when
Wolff Kingsearl Charles Richman re-
proves Miss Hobbs Miss RusselD for her
slur at women fit only to be mothers.
His voice vibrating with feeling, kingsearl
concludes a glowing apostrophe to mother
hood with the admonition that she pray
that she become even such woman.
Hardly has the last solemnly uttered word
left his lips when he shouts. Lookout. the
of cold water on hot, upturned face. The
audience starts as If given an electric
shock The dialogue had ventured pretty
close to the border line of sentimentality,
but the check rein came just in time.
Mr.. jerome frequently shows his deft-
and his perception of what is fitting,
and he demonstrates that his present posi-
ton as leader among English dramatists
is deserved. But there is one scene that
jars. The idea is old, and perhaps its age
might plead for its existence. 1t is the
scene where kingsearl DULLES Miss Hobbs
into making the coffee and broiling the
chops. When he forces her to make the
fire. even to getting out the coal and wood,
one feels that he is going too far. Only
the skill of the performers saved the scene.
and even with that ii left one unsatisfietl.
One felt that an old Theatre device was
being used to excite merriment, but really
where the humor of the situation lay it
was hard to say.
Miss Russell was surrounded by a small
but entirely capable company. Mrs. Gill
bert not merely played Miss Susan Abbey,
but was Miss Abbey. Clara Bloodgood,
whose good work has been seen here be-
fore, and Mabel Morrison helped the
fun of the piece right merrily, while Camp
bell Golian as Percival kingsearl played a
somewhat difficult role with discretion and
moderation.
Society was out in force and it was a no.
table audience. The President, Senator
Hanna and Senator Mcmillan each had
box. and the British embassy had two
boxes.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE
-Verdfs ever-popuiar I'll Trovatore"
opened the third week of the engagement
Of the Strakosch Opera Company at the
Lafayette Square Opera House last night
1t had been sung here before with the
same cast during the weeks engagement of
this company a couple of months ago, and
there is no necessity of going into a de-
tailed description of the work of either
principals or chorus. Mrs. StrakoSch last
night sang the role of Leonora, Miss Anne
liza Fields was the gypsy; Mr. Payne
Clarke. Mamrico, apd Mr.. J. X. Murray.
the Count di Luna. Miss Fields improves
with every performance of AZucena and
gives TO the part dramatic intensity that
compels the recognition of her audience.
Mr.. Murray's fine barytone voice finds full
scope in the role Of the count. and his
Tempest of the Heart" is always sure OF
an encore ne chorus Is neafu TO excellent
advantage and is deserving of no small
amount of praise. In the Anvil Chorus
and in the .'Miserere'' is received merit ed
applause. Tonight 'NanOn will be given
ard the performance should be enjoyable
ACADEMY OF MUSIC-Henshaw and
Ten Brock, the well-known vaudeville
team. presented very bright and amusing
show at the Academy of Music last night
TIE farce is entitled Mr.. Dodge's Trip to
New York. and is a remodeled vaudeville
sketch that has been goiEg the rounds for
some time. But it was given with a snap
and go last night that impaired an up-to-
date flavor and made 1t one of the most
pleasing productions that the Academy has
offered its patrons for some time The
story deals with man named Dodge, who
makes the mistake Of winning and dining
an unknown female at the French ball in
New York and introducing her to a man
there who has money to invest in Dodge's
bank and who wants to be completely as
sured as to Dodge's morality. Later when
the investor visits Dodge at his home in
New Jersey, by a mix-up in introductions
the situations become very ludicrous. Mrs,
Dodge is preparing for a vaudeville enter
tainment in aid of some distant heathens,
and this feature affords ample excuse for
the Introduction of some clever specialties
John +. HenShaw makes the part of Howell
|. Dodge IA very funny one, while May Ten
Brock is at home the jealous spouse
| Clara LaVine makes an efficient maid al