Evening star., 1900-12-04
AMUSEMENTS. A

ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-The performance
of Madame Sans Gene" by the Lafayette
Stock Company" at the Academy of Music
last night scored another personal triumph
for Blanche Bates. There is one glaring i'm
probability in the production. So charming a
Sans Gene" as was depicted last night could
never have been disliked and prosecuted
even by the jealous and co,d-h hearted la
dies of a parvenu court. Her absolute in
genuousnesS, her unaffected heartiness and
native grace would have softened even the
stonieSt mood, and she would have become
the pet of the hour. The Madame Sans
Gene of yesterday evening was genuinely
lovable. The VivaciouS abandon of one mo-
ment was no less convincing that the wo-
manly dignity with which she asserted her
self ii e next The play is a strange blend
Ing of the lowest low comedy with the most
delicate pathoS and the lcftiest sentiment
The contrasting elements are woven to-
gether with an effectiveness possible only
with such a master OF his art as SardOu
There are numerous good parts in the list
of characters, but the burden of the ner-
formance is allowed to rest on the shoul-
Gers of the title role, unless the mob be
considered worthy to rank as d sharer of
honors with star. The enthusiasm and
promptneSS shown by the humble but neces-
sary players who toll SO arduously in the
background reflects the highest credit upon
the stage management. Eugene Ormonde
played the part of .'Lefebre' (who is des-
ignated by the hurried and irreverent pro-
gram printer as "Lifebore'D with spirit
and sentimental force. Walter Craven's pic
ture of "Fouche" was a fragrant misinter-
probation. John 7. Sullivan was not thor
oughiy at home "B0naparte." Alma
Kruger was sufficiently vixenish as Queen
Caroline" and she received able assistance
from Hortense Nielsen in scenes calling for
acrimonious display. 1t was, however
strictly a Blanche Bates performance, and
a highly ENJOYABLE one that
NEW NATIONAL THEATER-"way
Down East played at the New National
Theater this week Is a strong melodrama
in PASTORAL setting. The plot is laid in d
Ferm0 MT farmstead. There are all the ia
miliar New England characters. the old
squire farmer and the maiden lady with
corkscrew curls, who furnishes the neigh
borhood gossip, and in this case causes
lot of trouble. The pumpkin chore boy the
country wits and freside philosophers; the
good old mother, who is always setting the
table or getting out doughnuts and pie for
visitors, all come in their regular routine
of duty laid down in the popular play
of this kind.
Throughout the strident strain of rustic
humor there is a major note of tragedy in
the story Of Anna" who has been de-
coyed into a mock marriage and then desert
ed. In the end 1t all comes right by the
squire overlooking everything because the
girl had been wronged. and the son and
heir finds no diminution of his love upon
learning the unfortunate girls history.
The company Is even one and the
work of all the members is consonant and
conscientious, marked by the thoroughness
which the parts require. Odell Williams as
the squire. is a typical old prosperous Yer
mont farmer, and portrays the stern, puri-
tanical spirit admirably. Sara Stevens as
Louise, his wife, Is the patient, tender cid
mother, always charitable and forgiving.
Phoebe Davies as Anna Moore Is pathetic
and spirited by turns. filling a difficult role
admirably. Mabel Strickland, Ella Hugh
Wood, Uric B. Collins Frank Currier. Fe-
lix Haney, VIII T. Ellwanger, Frank Bell
and ]. H. Bunny have prominent parts in
the play. and the work is excellent
throughout.
The stage getting is attractive, and
STOW storm in the third act is very realis-
tic.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-By far the most
entertaining feature Of lie Voyage en-
Suisse" or In plain English "A Trip to
Switzerland" the Hanlons' spectacle, pre-
sented last evening at the Columbia Thea
ter, occurred near the wind-up of the per
formance. This hit was contributed by the
two smallest individuals connected with the
production. and the spontaneous burst of
applause that rewarded their efforts was so
decidedly emphatic as to place the tots
In the lead OF all others who appeared before
the audience. The little girls are known by
the name of Hill and they sang wonderfully
well selections ranging from The Holy
City" to when You Make Dem Goo-Goo