Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17

Washngtons present theatrical season. As
1t was, the business done was something
enormous, with "Quo Vadis" playing TO cir
Gus receipts at the Columbia, and Annie
Russell-gentle Annie, who always reminds
us of when the springtime comes"-at-
tracing crowds to the National. The week
served to show that there is no prejudice
in favor of any one kind of play, for no
contrast in the legitimate drama could be
stronger than that offered by "Quo Fadis''
and Miss Hobbs" Yet both stood high in
public estimation, and Sienkiewicz did not
have an overwhelming victory in the con-
test for literary recognition. Mr.. Jerome
has many ardent admirers. And as is the
case with most professed humorists, there
are some who find him merely annoying.
But In this production there was no room
Tor dispute. 1t was enjoyable from begin
ming to end and served to revive-even to
intenstfy-the pleasant impressions created
by Lord and Lady Aigy'' and THE Tyr
amy of Tears"
There were some sad struggles with the
Latin title of the spectacle-drama. One man
was heard to ask another if he had seen
this new play "Quod Davis" and, of course,
the answer was yes Nearly everybody
its scenic brilliancy. wonderful as it was.
but in the cast The company was one of
the most remarkable in every respect that
has been assembled in many day. The
tragedy when an actor was expected to
take off his dress coat, get down to under
wear, and work for his applause The
burning scene, one of the most impressive
incidents of the production, was very
harmless affair and the visions of theater
nres which arose in the minds of the timid
entirely uncalied for: Pipes were connected
with the steam boiler to secure the SEM
blance of smoke The blaze was produced
by red fire and the sparks were bits of tin
sci blown into the air with bellows. TigeI-
tt,p
on Thursday night, in spite OF the Christian
fcrbearance OF Vinicius. He stood a little
too far front and was required to display
some unclaSsic agility to escape being
caught by the descending curtain.
Joseph Haworth leaves the city buried in
bouquets. metaphorica,ly speaking. YET
perhaps the most picturesque role was that
of Petronius. His character is fine study
a picture Of the man of the world at that
particular period of history when life in
the sunshine of power meant the possession
of rare wit and the sacrifice. If need be-
of every noble impulse. Strictly speaking
he could scarcely be called a Christian mar
tyr. His sacrifice of life itself was due
rather to his devotion to his friends than
to his religious sentiment. But he died for
the sake of his Christian associates and
died like a gentleman. His atonement for a
past that was worse than questionable was
SO nobly made and his self-sacrifice so COM
plete that 1t Is difficult to disassociate the
act from the faith of those about him who
inspired so fine moral exhibition To have
missed Quo Vadis'' is something of mis-
fortune 1t will probably be many a day
before its like Is seen again.
The StrakoSch Opera Company met with
appreciation in familiar and always ac-
ceptable music. The Academy Of Music
had Henshaw and Ten Brock in a farce
comedy skit that presented a humorous
plot with vaudeville embellishments-the
embellishments being rather better than
the comedy Henshaw makes fine APP
pearance. and his methods in the more re-
fined portions of his work somewhat re-
semble those of Roland Reed. Ching Ling
Foo wrought magic inside the New Grand,
while at the outer portals the theater man
agement was doing q little presto change
work with the assistance of Major Syl-
VeSter. and giving a much applauded exl-
bitlon OF the disappearing ticket Spectator.
The stand taken by Major Sylvester in this
matter is much appreciated by all the thea
ter managers here, who have exerted them
selves on all occasions to protect their
patrons from these pestiferous financiers.
Next week Mr.. Charles Frohmau will
present Miss julia Marlowe; Mr. Jack San
ford will present Miss Mildred Holland; Mr..
Edgar Strakosch will present standard OPP
era; Mr., Gus Hill will present MANS En-
envy" and Mr.. P. B. Chase will present
polite vaudeville. At the houses which per-
nit the fragrance of tobacco smoke to min
gle with mirth and music. Mr.. Phil Sheri-
dan will present THE City Sports and
Adams and the stock company.
The career Of Aria has been so brief
that its presentation at the Columbia next
week will have almost the interest of a first
production. The play is q relief from the
monotony of French importation. and goes
to the German classics for it's source The
Teuton may quarrel with us over the trait
fe in meats and vegetables, but there
is absolute free trade in poetry, and
the adaptation has the sanctity of Schllers
name associated with 1t. AS a poet Schiller
is mentioned by the German lover of poetry
with something of the same rhapsodic de-
votion manifested by the dialect comedian
in 1.-The FOUNDERS" who on hearing the
name of the composer of the Walkure men,
tened turned his eyes heavenward and ex-
claimed, "Wachner! Ach, Gott!' The play
Intrigue and Love-" the original of Aria"
was written while Schiller was in hiding
from his people, who on his running away
from a military academy had him arrest
ed, and undertook TO extract from him
promise that he would write no more poet
ry. Its present adaptation to the Ameri-
can stage is a matter of substantial inter-
est.
An actor who has attracted considerable
attention during the present week is one
whose name does not appear on any of the
play bills. He is walking advance notice
for Mans Enemy which opens at the
Academy on Monday night. Dressed in ul-
tra-fashionable attire, he parades the
streets. thing of sweetness and light.
daintily lingering an immense jewel-studded
cane and gazing languidly through a mono
Gle. The gentleman's name Is Glenister,
and he turns his histrionic talents and his
six feet one to good account. When not
impersonating a dude Mr.. Glenister enacts
the role of a Rube Hayseed. lodges electric
cars, barely escapes being run down by trucks
and wagons and Is finally gathered in by
philanthropic policeman who fears that he
may come to an untimely end. When he
becomes tired of police interference Mr..
Glenister becomes dude again for rest
and change. He was originally monologue
artist who was secured by a tobacco firm
for street advertising purposes. and he has
developed the character until 1t has become
more remunerative than anything he could
do In the legitimate. although his fine ap-
pearance has secured him several fattering
offers in the stage hero line.
Mr.. Fulton Gardner, the author of MANS
Enemy" has emula ted Mr.. Charles Froh-
man, who does not hesitate to say that he
considers THE Girl From Maxim's" the
finest farce he has ever produced and other
wise inform the public of hts opinions con-
corning his own plays. Mr.. Gardner has this
to say of Mans Enemy" and every lover
OF the drama will hope that his estimate
Is correct as well as candid: This play is
an exposition of those laws the observance
L. -