Evening star., 1900-03-06
AMUSEMENTS. A

| the more thrilling by contrast. Some Of
the Swinburne-ian hyperbole has been ef-
| faced. No one will contend that few
| osculations might not be dropped from the
versification with wholesome effect. But
| the contrast in some cases is like a transit
tion from chile con carne to oatmeal por-
| ridge. Despite these little notifications,
the piece has a quantity of dash which
| renders its attractions irresistible. The plot
| has fashion of introducing its specialties
| In logical sequence, which very nearly gives
| the piece rank as legitimate production
| The most conspicuous of the names which
are remembered from the original cast and
| which are still to be found on the program
| is that of Edna May, and despite the charm
| and illusion which pervaded the preceding
scenes. there was a certain impatience until
| she wakened the chorus to its familiar
| chant, Follow on, Follow on!
| Gustave Kerker, in the minds of many.
| turned out some of his best work when he
| wrote the score for The Belle OF New
York" There is hardly number in the
whole production that did not become pop
| ular Immediately after the Belle made
her first appearance here some few years
| ago. These favorites were recalled in
| most satisfactory manner last night. The
| cast was. in the main, adequate in musi-
| cal sense. W. Propert Carleton has bari
| tone better than any male voice heard at
similar production in this city for many
| day. His solo, Kiplings Absent minded
! Beggar," set to music by Sir Arthur Sulii-
| van, was one of the most interesting num-
| bers in the performance. 1t was splendidly
| sung and although Kipling can scarcely be
considered as felictous musical burlesque
poet as Mr.. Morton. his verses were intro
duced in such manner as to prevent any
impression Of fncongruity. Toby Claude is
a little bit of woman. with sun-beam-like
vivacity, who is creating Casino furore.
| She does not sing very much. and 1t is
doubtful whether she will ever learn as
the audiences seem perfectly content to ap-
plaud her for simply futtering lightly
| through ,ene regardless of whether she
| does any real work or not Her duet with
Carleton, When We Are Married." was
one of the many good things in the show.
| Edward ]. Connolly, who played Dan Days
| old part, made his songs humorously effec-
tive. Despite certain Anglicisms. THE
Belle is still a creation of gentle pquancy,
whose genial disposition the adulat!on of all
London could not spoil
COLUMBIA THEATER.-Mr. Howard
Gould, young man of intense and earnest
ability, who has had the misfortune dur
ing late years to be starred in the cast-off
plays of actors of wider renown, is seen
this week at the Columbia Theater in "a
Colonial Girl" which was tried out last
season by young Mr. Sothern, but not
played to any great extent. Mr.. Gould's
Interpretation of the character of Godfrey
Remsen a young American spy of revolu
tionary days, is in every way worthy
one, and does not suffer in comparison
with any work in that line. His supporting
company is fully up to the requirements of
the piece. Mr.. Gould has undoubted abil-
ity. His recent work in THE Prisoner Of
Zenda' was characterized by intelligence
and dramatic strength and in his present
role the same holds good. 1t is to be de-
plcred that the young man has not a new
and better play. "A Colonial Girl" abounds
in melodramatic utterances of the stereo-
typed school and glaring theatricalisms that
are hardly in keeping with the sensible and
likely realism demanded in stage produc-
tions of the day. Speak Of this again and
shall forget you are a woman Is one OF
W rod innc In, l,;r
the play has a young lady who "admires
to hear about London" and has the hack
neyed wager wherein the heroine is the
jest of a soldiers mess table. In spite of
company give q production that is very
acceptable and was loudly applauded by
the audience. He has a clear. well modu-
lated voice, which Is rather inclined to be
too plaintive in tone, even in speeches of
anger. Mr. Daniel Frohman, who presents
the piece, has realized the fact that
he will probably enrich his Golfers by buy
ing Mr. Gould a good new play and giving
him fair chance to win honors of his own
He Will have an original production next
season. Mr.. Albert Perry has good char
acter part Miss Grace Freeman has the
Leading feminine role. In the lighter parts
she Is quite charming. but her voice Is also
a httie too pathetic throughout the stir
ring play" Helen King Russell and Flea
nor Carr have prominent parts and carry
them well. The play is handsomely mount
ed, and will please those who are looking
Tor romance and incident.
THE LAFAYETTE.-After the lapse of a
dozen years Czibulka's melodious Amor
ia was sung at the Lafayette Square
opera House last evening by the Strakosch
company. The organization demonstrated
as 1t has done before. that Its chief merit
lies IN Its well-drilled chorus. Much of the
acting is wooden and solo parts are sung
"ithont much spirit. But the choruses are
sung with Vigor and precision that wins
hearty applause. Each finale had to be re-
peated last night. and the opera was re-
peatedly interrupted that a chorus might be
repeated. The familiar students' chorus in
the third act was especially enjoyed and
It's repetition was demanded. Fred Frear
was given more Of an opportunity than in
any work previously given and he improved
the chance, establishing himself as a prime
favorite. Avery Strakosch acceptabIy sang
the part Of Angelo, the sculptor, who wins
Amor1ta, pleasingly represented by Marion
Langdon. Mr.. Murray appeared to advan-
tage as Fra Bombarda, and Edward Webb
displayed sweet tenor voice in singing his
role. That there Is a demand for light
opera, well sung and not too familiar, was
SHOWN by the good-sized audience present
Tonight 1.-The Mikado' will be sung and
tomorrow night "Amorita" will be repeated.
Matinees will be given Wednesday and Sat-
urday.
ACADEMY OF, MUsIc.-A good sized
audience came back to the Academy of
Music last night to see the regularly re-
curing presentation of the "Man-o' Wars
ny T.. Shea. The play
SO familiar in name to patrons Of the
Academy has had some liberties taken with
Its old lines, 1t is still nothing If not diplo-
matte. however. only the diplomacy is Of a
little more startling kind. For instance, Mr.
Harkins, the author, now has Russia
France. Spain and other European powers
too numerous to mention-all engaged in a
combination to down the United States.
The animus of their hostility is the licking
the Yankees gave Spain and a fancied COM
mercial wrong about to be committed by
the building Of the Niearaguan canal
Capt. Jack Conway, who embodies the
numerous role of captain In the navy, spy, 1
diplomat and all-'round hero, is imnerson-
ated by Mr. Shea. Mr. Henry Testa.
captain in the Spanish navy. is the villain.
Mr.. Shea and Mr.. Testa have number of
meetings of sanguinary nature. each
one of which arouses the gallery to the
widest pitch of excitement and OCCASION
ally starts UP a wave Of enthusiasm in the
lower floor. Mr.. Shea's work in the difficult
roles he assumes shows great deal Of
careful attention to detail. He is particu-
larly strong in the part of the spy. and his
acting meets with the generous approval Of
his audience.
Then there is, of course. heroine who
is fairly well represented by Teresa Deagle
who plays part almost as varied and inn