Evening star., 1901-04-16
ADJUSTMENTS,

NEW NATIONAL THEATER-If the in
terest manifested last night is maintained
large number of people may go to the
New National Theater this week to see
John Drew. They will scarcely go to see
R1chard Carvel.' The role of melodra-
matte hero is in strong contrast to. the
work which Mr.. Drew has previously
done, and it begins to look as if this actors
personal popularity were being relied on SO
much as to cause indifference to his legi-
innate claims to good acting vehicle
when he goes before an audience. Richard
CarVeI is neither a good play, nor a play
which Is adapted to show Mr.. Drew to
advantage. 1t is little less than absurd
to behold this well-grOomed and amiable
gentleman bustling about in company where
muttered curse you's' and indiscriminate
sword play are everyday affairs. 1t is i'm
possible to imagine Mr.. Drew in easy famil-
larity with people who kidnap, and hold
concourse with pirates and make arrange
ments to stab acquaintances in the back
Richard Carvel might do such things but
John Drew, never. This distinguished actor
Is too affable by nature and too gently-bred
to be entirely at home in the conventional
tasks of villain foiling. He is in this play
outside his artistic limitations; and yet he
IS individually agreeable as he always has
been He preserves serenity amid the
plotting and general excitement which is
grateful and comforting to the auditor
With tendency to nerves. When his noble
George Washington profile is siIhouetted
against the dark background of tyranny
and intrigue, sense of calm pervades the
auditorium. There comes q sort of tele-
pathic assurance, as if Mr.. Drew's inner
consciousness spoke and said: do not be
alarmed, ladies and gentlemen Nothing
is going to harm anybody This may be a
pretty bad play, but after all 1 am the
person who has most at stake. And if l
can remain placid and unmoved there Is
1nSin
tempers." The costumes worn by Mr. Drew
are exceptionally beautiful, and he wears
them with gentlemanly grace. One of the
diversions of the evening is watching the
delicate transitions of his hosiery from
plum color to sky blue.
The play is an unblushingly commercial
effort to profit by the present demand for
dramatized novels. 1t is impossible to
form clear impression as to whether, the
fault lies with the manner in which the
story is told, or with the failure of nearly
all the members of the company to realize
the characters they assume to portray.
Ida Conquest had one or two genuinely
pretty love scenes with Mr.. Drew, and
Carolyn White instilled certain moments
with a vivacious sparkle. But the males
We're perfunctory and depressing lot.
1t has been said that man is known by
the company he keeps. Despite it's insuffi-
ciencies Richard Carvel'' gains respecta-
| bility by association with John Drew. The
personality which he ls9ds to professions of
affection and rebukes to Villainy makes
them interesting for their own sakes, quite
| independently of the buster and bathos
which may be flourishing in the vicinity
| COLUMBIA THEATER-"The Princess
Chic" reefed, tucked, gathered up at the
| corners and made over into a thoroughly
delightful, snappy and crisp little opera,
made it's second bow to Washington last
/ night at the Columbia Theater. In the re-
| generation there is little resemblance to
| the rather dolefui performance witnessed
| more than year ago. Julian Edwards
| tuneful music is still there. 1t is now given
| proper Interpretation, however, and it's
| true quality brought out, The book has
| undergone the greatest change, and with
| all due Difference to Promoter and Libret-
tist Kirke La Shelle, the expunging of a
| considerable portion of the dialogue has
! gone long way toward making a success
| of The Princess Chic" Much of the
humor that is there now is of the order
/ that amuses the small boy, but it is a
| harmless sort of fun and does not detract
| from the general dash and go at present
| marking the production. The charming
| Chic is now musical treat and is prob
| ably the most legitimate OF the comic opera
| presentations of the season. It's music is
| it's mainstay, and the managing powers
| appreciating this fact, have given it full
| sway Much stress has been laid upon con-
certed numbers, and although there are
! solos enough, the trios and quartets, with
| strong chorus accompaniment, succeed one
another in almost bewildering plentitude
The audience last evening was applaudine
throughout, its enthusiasm reaching high
water In the third act. when the opening
song. War Is Bounteous jade" sung by
Joseph Miron, with an anvil chorus, called
| forth innumerable encores. In this same
| act topical quartet, Reader of Riddles .
| sung by the four comedians, got roaring
reception. The star, Marguerite Sylvia. has