The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28

run in a manner that stamped Mrs. Fiskc
anew as the greatest OF the actresses now
before the American public.
There appeared only a solitary fault In
the whole portrayal OF Becky Sharp. and
that fault Mrs Fiske should hasten to cor
rect For some reason solely known to
herself. the star has been paying scanier
and scanter attention to her enunciatior
of late, until she was understood last week
with exceeding difficulty There Is little
excuse for this. either as mannerism or
as a carelessness. The season for panto-
mines has gone.
n there Is one circumstance more than
another that seriously Injuries the presenta-
ton Of a humorous play. that circumstance
is the tco-keen appreciation Of the play
ers. The French have q way of acting
farce with such tragic earuestness that
It's iaughable points are doubled in num-
Der. Exaggeration is to comedy what
coating of sugar is to chocolates With
the exception of the star himself. every
member OF William II. Cranes Company
William Courtleigh, Selene johnson, and
William Ingersoll. in particuiar-read the
lines OF "A Rich Mans Son" with such
evident console Isness of their absurdity
tnat the effect was almost. IL not quite.
lost. The real fun in the speeches was
the seriousness with which the characters
took them and-when the aforesaid char
acters ceased to De serious. the speeches
ceased to be funny. Messrs Courtleigh
and Ingersoil and Miss Johnson are clever
people-clever enough to know better the
charm of the performer who absolutely
sinks himself in his or her role.
A year ago. when Florence Rockwell was
seen here with Sol Smith Russell in Hon.
John Grigsby." The Times took occasion to
express the opinion that she was not pos
sessed OF any histrionic talent whatever.
After having witnessed her delightfully."-
naive performance OF Mary Horneck In
olive Goldsmith" the write. determined
upon speedy cancellation OF the claim
The American stage boasts no ingenue who
could have given the part in question more
gracefully and pIeasingly. Miss Rockwell
will make the hit of her life this season.
Ina certain city-there is certain
piano manufacturer who seems to be sup
plying ready made vaudeville acts with as
tonishing ease. The gentleman mentioned
is owner of a patent by which his instru-
ments are so regulated that. without skill
on the part of the performer. they give
forth the tones of mandolins. guitars. and
other stringed devices.
Any man who can finger the ivory keys
at all adequately can use this invention.
Resultartly, the continuous" stage now
is occupied By no fewer than dozen en-
tertainers whose chief claim to considera-
ton is the impudence they display in fore
ing spectators to pay the rental on their
paraphernalia. Stephens and Taylor. who
were at the Grand last week. are the best
OF the fdkirs brought to Washington. be-
cause their turn contains better fea-
lures On the other hand, the assertive-
ness with which they plaearded pro-
grammes and furniture with advertise
ments for the piano was disgusting. The
theatre is place generally selected by its
patrons for purposes OF enjoyment; not a
paper posting exchange. And the initiative
instrument to which aliusion has been
mads--a very ingenious instrument
though it be-is only a cheaper substitute
for talent when it is requisitioned as a
billboard