Evening star., 1900-04-07
MUSIC

were duly recognized. She Interestingly
supplemented May Irwin's theological study
by revealing another type of make-beHeVe
inebriety. She made a strong impression
by her realistic acting, and if the scene had
possessed any serious dramatic purpose
whatever her work would have ranked as
a remar rkabe achievement. Miss Held's
acting has improved to such a degree thai
the Hammer Club has made the matter &
subject Of debate and evolved the theory
that Miss Held is being very ably and sys-
tematically coached by one of the members
of the company who seems to have little
else to do. But the Hammer Club has a
bothersome fashion of not keeping its min
utes in shape for publication OF in any other
way contributing to the great cause Of
authenticity. Whatever the case may be
there is no doubt that Miss Held has gotten
a foothOld considerably higher rung
of the historic ladder than she occupied be-
fore.
The VicerOy' goes away bearing. so far
as Washington is concerned, the damnation
of faint praise. It's proprietors recognized
the fact that 1t was a case of try, try
again, and have been at work on the piece
all week. Mr.. Erlanger. Mr.: Herbert. Mr..
Harry B. Smith and Mr.. Ben Teal assem-
bled in consultation over what seemed TO
be one of the most serious cases of comic
opera seen in long time. The music scars
with determined flights far above the COM
edy which is almost tenderloinish in its
horse play. Possibly the desire is to appeal
to New York with a touch of local at
mosphere. but the Bostonians have estab-
Hshed too high standard to be generally
welcome in an effort to make mere monkey
shines take the place of legitimate comedy.
People who will appreciate The Niceroys
style of humor may be quite numerous but
they are not of the type who would enjoy
the music, and the musical admirers. as a
rule. find the comedy obtrusive and irri-
tDt hoy no I,Sta Jf1ts a no
The Viceroy" goes into New York for
convalescence or an autopsy is one of the
little questions of the hour.
The Black Sheep frolicked rather
weakly. 1t seems to be almost due for
mutton. The New Grand had good week.
with n bill which shone. but did not dazzle
Next week brings in Nat G. Goodwin and
Maxine Elliott with a new comedy which
has pleased New York When We Were
Twenty-one." Frank Daniels plays a
turn engagement, repeating The Ameer.
The New Grand will have The Girl With
Auburn Hair" whose singing is said to be
as meritorious as her donations of breast
pins and souvenir spoons are generous.
The announcement that Nixon & thinner
man have purchased the Alvin Theater in
P!ttsburg, and have options on other thea
tcrs in various cities has given rise to an
enormous amount of gossip concerning the
atrical politics. Nixon & Zimmerman repre-
combination. whirh, besides themselves, in
cludes Klaw & Erlanger. Al Hayman, Rich
& Harris and Charles Frohman. and which
is generally known as 'the syndicate" The
agreement by which these firms, each
originally controlling large theatrical inter
eSts. were consolidated terminates a year
from now, and this action on the part of
Nixon K Zimmerman Is accepted by the
theatrical politicians as an evidence of in
tention to organize on their own account
The agitation resulting from a transaction
of so much seeming Significance, has awak-
ened theatrical rumor to degree unprece-
dented in Washington. The widest con-
lectures are afioat, among them being one
to the effect that the lease of the Academy
of Music was a step toward the ultimate
REIMBURSEMENT of no less a property than
the New Nationa! Theater by Manager
Rapiey- 1t took Mr.. RaDley about fifteen
seconds to register an emphatic denial Of
the suggestion that he and the gentlemen
of his family who are associated with him
in the management of his interests have
any idea Of reiinquishing substantial
a theatrical property. Although the National
was a little tardy about getting into the
fold, It's relations with the syndicate are
most cordial, the National being rccug-
hized as one of the important links In the
enormous chain of interests, Mr. Rapiey is
disposed to doubt that the purchase of the
Alvin Theater has the schsmatic signifi-
canoe which the gossips are disposed to at
ttch to 1t. Among the various suggestions
may take the Lafayette Square, and an
others that Manager Chase of the New
Grand would take a high priced theater in
this city il he could get 1t under the right
arrangements. and that he may see his
way to building one for himself at some
future day. The Columbia is the only
mouse which has not taken whirl in this
vortex of ''on dit Much of tha talk is in
teresting only AZ an evidence of the great
fire that spark may kindle when spiri.
Oh imaginative unrest gets abroad. The
transfer of the Academy to the Hashim
interests is the only change of tangible
local Importance. so far. Mr.. Hashim has
been engaged in sharp and vigorous rivalry
with Mr.. Keith. who has to some degree
associated himself with Mr. Chase in ar
Ranging bookings for the New Grand In
RoSton the competition between Keith and
Hashim resulted In a commercial duel, with
dollars and cents flying through the air
Lafayette the juggler. who is proclaimed
the superior of Ching Ling Fee started at
$50 week. and finally landed at some
thing over 500 as the result of the desire
10 get him as an attraction Although there
Is no development of the situation which
can possibly prevent a city of Washing
tons size from continuing to get the best
attractions that each season produces the
conditions possess unusual general interest
and will no doubt invite to prophecy for
some time to come.
The Kesters, who are associated with the
modern play series, have received from
A'A'%'AN
to his early novel. Tom Sawyer" They
contemplate putting 1t on in Philadelphia
Baltimore, Washington and Boston. one
week in each city. The performance Will
open about the middle of May and, IL sue
cessful, will be taken into New York. A
first-class production of a Tom SAWYER
play has never been'made. and II "Puddin-
head Wilson is a reliable precedent, it
will be hit.
"Sapho' will resume its career In New
York with some of the biggest advertising
that ever befel an attraction. Olga Neither
sole has been subjected to a humiliation
which must be shared little by all who
admire her as an artist, even though they
may resent the methods of her exploitation
and the production of this play. Mr.. Clyde
Fitch somehow kept out of the court pro-
ceedings. In those old days of which
pedantry loves to talk, it was the play
wright and not the performer after whom
the authorities went When the pIav
Eastward. Ho!" offended King James. rare
old Ben Jonson who, like Mr.. Fitch, was a
although not nearly as prosper
Gus. voluntarily accompanied the other two
authors who were arrested, to Imprisonment
declaring that the failure to mention him
was an oversight. and that he was equally
guilty: and this. too, in the face of rumor