The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-20
THINGS THEATRICAL.

Regarding the greatness OF Mrs. Fiske.
who will be seen next week at the Laiay-
cite Square Opera House In Becky Sharp,
there always has been a remarkable una
nlmity of opinion among newspaper critics
From the days in which, as Minnie Mad
dern, she played Caprice" TO the present
time she never has provoked anything but
praise from her direst eneriies In Bos-
ton this month history has been p.sily
engaged in repeating itself. The most
erudite reviewers of that erudite town
have commented glowingly on her work
The reviewer of the Herald" for example.
on January took occasion to remark:
1t ia perfectly safe to say that, Ir spite of
her many triumphs Mrs. Fiske Becky sharp
scores the greatest success Of her career This
is true both from the popular and artistic stand
point. Mrs. Fiskc has genius, and II Is shown
not only in her moments Of historical passion,
but in the quiet, well sustained acting OF the
part, that made one almost feel that a character
from Th1ckerly had come TO life. She has the
mower OF being expressive and brilliant without
seeming effort. The satire and contempt Tor
conyeutioualty that so mark Thackerays heroine
were all 10 be found in Mrs. Fiske's portrayal
These sentiments we're echoed by the
scribe of the transcript as follows:
Taking the character within its intellectual
limits Mrs Fiske may be said 10 embody 1t
10 prrfection Her sense Of hum0r is as ever
viriI,nt a. Recky's own-and humor is nothing
II not intellectual. The keen dclicacy OF her
humorous touches is beyond praise; she never
over,teps the true limit and yet all her shafts
hit the mark with unerring accuracy OF ann ana
a sharpness that leaves nothing to be desired
The quotations merely are specimens of
a dozen others quite as desirable They go
to prove that the only schoarliness shown
in the production OF Becky Sharp" may
not be charged TO Thackeray and to Lang
don Mitchell.
1t is an absolute pleasure to chronicle
success for Stuart Robson, since few con-
temporary players have done as much TO-
ward the advancement of their art. Every
year Mr.. Robson makes an earnest en-
deayor TO satisfy his public by presenting
a new vehicle, and while occasionally he
may fall short of expectations. the effort Is
none the less deserving. The comedian
comes to the Columbia Theatre for his an
nuaI engagement next week. when. for the
first time in Washington he will produce
his comedy, "0liYer Goldsmith which
was written for him By that clever dra-
matfst Augustus Thomas. To the student !
L
the life OF England's great litterateur |
should not have been seized upon in this !
fasiion long ago. Perhaps, however. the |
that left the labor to Mr.. !
Thomas were fortunate. for, OF surety. |
no man OF the day is better equipped Tor |
the work. On the other hand. much OF the |
praise that is being showered on the pro-
duction undoubtedly is due to the star. |
who enacts the title role, and to the COM
fvN Mr
iieyes. too in careful attention to detail,
and no is said to have given "Ollver Cold
smith" n scenic. costume, and property In
yestiture that leaves nothing to be de-
sired. All combined have made the pres
entation an apparent hit. Seats for the
local engagement are on sale.
A very few years back 1t would have been
to add to the name OF Minnie
Palmer an account OF her ability. The most
casual theatregoer had seen Miss Palmer
in My Sweetheart" her greatest hit and
the several charming bits In
the rendering. Too often, however, the
capture OF a new post involves the aban-
Ionment of the old. and the coincidence In
winning laurels abroad has been nearly
forgotten at home Admiration of her may
De quickened though. by the announcement
that she is to headline next weeks bill |
AZ the Grand where she will offer her re-
London specially. In add
ton to Miss Palmer. the programme Will
provide for the appearance Of Genaro and
Bailey. who were booked by Manager
chase few months since, but were pre-
vented by Illness from reaching here; the
Three Goldens who said to disprove
he adage concerning Jacks oil all trades:
stephens and Taylor, whose sketch Is en-
titled His Uncle's Nephew" the Brothers
NIclrose. acrobats and the cara Trio. the
members OF which are mentioa"d as max
ng twenty-ssyeu changes OF costume on
he stage The Biograph will be retained
o add variety to what promises to be such
series of entertainments as must please
he most captious.
Some weeks ago team. known as the
Brothers Johnson. created quite sensa-
ion at Kernans by means OF their mar
'elOu5 display OF trick bicycle riding. The
men. mounted on ordinary Wheel jumped
ver tables and performed other wonderful
eats. Not less remarkable are said to be
he Escamillo Brothers. who come to that
Iouse Monday with the Royal Bur
Standing on the finest of wires.
he Escamillos are mentioned as turning
omersaults and doing other things just
s notable. In furnishing entertainment
hey are assisted by Teniey and Simonds.
IRISH comedians: Emma Weston, vocalist; |