Evening star., 1901-06-18
,AMUSEMENTS. =

LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
Dion Boucicault was happiest as play
author when he was describing the joys of
English horsemanship. The main element
Of tragedy or pathos in his compositions lies
in the suggestion that the delights Of fox
hunting and steeplechasing must now and
then be interrupted to attend to the impor-
tunities of some money lender. THE Jilt
has all the material of the English sporting
drama. The fact that this material has be-
come very familiar through a long sue
cession of plays is a testimonial to its ex-
cellence. Instead of the elaborate scenery,
the dark changes and trick devices that
the sporting drama of the present day de-
pends upon, 1.-The Jilt' offers wealth Of
witty dialogue and a series of genuinely
! appealing love scenes. In many respects
THE Jilt'' is a hopelessly old-fashioned
play, and in other respects 1t Is decided
| Improvement on the average modern piece
Outside the work of Mr.. Arden in the
leading role Of Myles OHara, there was
nothing in the Lafayette Squares presenta-
ton of the play last night to claim especial
commendation. Mr.. Arden took on the
brogue with ease, and succeeded in being a
very handsome type of chlvalry and OF
craftsmanship. AT this season the theater
going public Is not inclined to be over
critica1s and accepts with Complacency any
effort to amuse it that gives even approxi-
mate results. The standards by which the
work of a company like the Lafayette
Stock organization are, and ought to be,
judged are so moderate that there are
temptations to engage in hazardous expert
ments In arranging cast The work of the
company last night represented a sliding
scale which ranged from the good work of
two or three principals, through the medi-
ocrity of several more, down to a display of
amateurishness which was little less than
narrowing. The introduction of an mex
perienced player in role of leading impor-
tance is likely to defeat it's own kindly
CirC fhn oCy,tro VT To tacf
which can be met only by study and ex-
perience. The friendly audiences always
In attendance at the Lafayette offer an op-
portunity for experiments of this kind, and
a systematic arrangement by which the
exploitation of promising people could be
secured would no doubt be tolerated and
even welcomed But it should be sys-
tematic. 1t is unfair to take an audience
wholly by surprise. The popularity of the
familiar members of the company was, as
usual, made known by hearty applause,
and THE Jilt' promises to be one of the
most acceptable of the plays recently pre-
Sented.
CHAsE's THEATER.-The present en-
tertalnment at Chases, with the possible
exception of twenty long minutes allotted to
the Royal Hungarian Gypsy Band, is a
thoroughly enjoyable one, and received the
emphatic approval, by way of applause, of
an audience last evening that may be
classed as full house." although stand
ing room was not at a premium. Something
new, entitled THE Bridegroom's Reverie''
was presented by the Misses Delmore and
Walter Caryll. A wedding is about to oc-
cur, the bridegroom arrives at the residence
of the bride and while waiting for her he
lndulges in memories of the past. A panel
above the fireplace slides back and the
bridegroom In turn sees his former sweet
hearts and hears them sing and play He
IS finally awakened by a kiss from the
bride. A farce in one act, entitled "A Man
OF Chance" the cast including Thomas J.
Dempsey, William Keller Mack and Marga-
ret Rurnham, caused continuous merriment
A pronounced hit was made by the ami
mated song sheet led by Laura Comstock
who has the assistance of about thirty-tive
colored urchins. Their heads protrude
through holes in a large canvas and appear
to represent the notes of a sheet of music.
The idea is not a one, but that fact
seemed to have no effect on the enjoyment.
u Argentina has been seen here before
Her work is above that of the average spec
tacular follower of Terpschore, the stage
being veritable Kaleidoscope during her
act. The diminutve member of the team
of La Marr and Gabriel. comedians and
mimics, was the reigning success of the
evening. The American biograph, with new
pictures, proved pleasing as of wore.
The program opened with a comedy skit by
Brennan and Sinnott, who dance well.
ODD FELLOWS HALL-The first of a
series of illustrated song recitals by Prof
J. Albert Loose Of Baltimore was given at
Odd Fellows Hall, 7th street northwest,
last night. Between the songs Prof Loose
showed pictures of many of the local cler-
gymen and other pictures of local and ma
tional interest were shown. Prof Loose's
two little girls, Edna and Elizabeth gave
an illustrated song, MY Sunday Dolly''
which was highly pleasing to the large au-
dlence present. A recital will be given
every evening this week. and there will
also be Saturday matinee
quality is what makes price If Burnett's
Vanilla Extract was no better than other
extracts it's price would be the same-Ady
Iron Beds, stumph Bedding Co., 7th k
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