The Washington times., 1901-12-17
AT THE THEATRES.
Thc Nntionsi-'.RoEers Brothers I'm
Washington"
cAsr an cnARACTERs.

u. w
Nsizi Nahoni Hattie Williams
Nagfr aicy.....................Car Carolyn Gordon
Marcy Emma tianfli
Clara Bralcy. jeanette Bagesrd
icssie Braiev. Edith St Clair
| Bessie uap......................... Taylor
Esther .Nota Ilas H
Mona Davis
Totfie Gertrude Slyc
Edith idem m.....................Jos Jessie Richmond
The funny Rogers brothers. who take
such great delight in twisting the English
language into all sorts of odd conyersa-
tional shapes. have come to the Capital
in various vehicles, and have located
their peculiarly diverting performances in
Central Park and Wall Street, but their
latest Offering in Washington is by all
odds the best and most congenial they
have yet showed.
Not that there is = frcat deal of Wash
ing;on in the piece, although there is a
view Of the Capitol. which win be recog-
nized by persons with vivid imaginations;
the John J. McNally farrago of nonsense,
music, and pretty maidens, garbed dainti-
ly sometimes gorgeously frequently. and
rather scantily once or twice, might as
well have been termed anything besides
Washington for ell the Capital has to do
with the performance But the fact remains
that never before have these genuinely
entertaining fraternal comedians given
such a really commendable show as their
show at the National Theatre last night.
The audience, which completely filled the
house. was more than enthusiastic; it was
positively Unsuitable in It's demands for
larly the new Reuben and the Maid one,
and Maurice Levi was compelled TO work
his band overtime in order to satisfy the
persistence Of the assemblage. And, as a
result, everybody left the theatre either
whistling or humming Tho Wedding OF
the Reuben and the Maid and comment
ing on the superlativc excellence OF the
performance. Mr.. McNally. who has fur
nished all OF the pieces in which the Rog-
ers Brothers have appeared since they be-
came luminous theatrical bod es. has ccr-
tainly eXcelled himself in his new Wash
ington vaudeville farce
The story relates that Alfred Hartman
loves the daughter OF New York poll
tician, who objects TO the match. Upon
his death he leaves a will permitting the
marriage OF the young people on condition
-
district that is overwhelmingly Democrat
ic; the fact that Hartman is Tabid Re
publican makes the task before him all
the more strenuous. But he conceives the
idea of splitting the district by having
two Democratic candidates contest for
Congressional honors, and runs two ig-
norant Germans, Carlos Chauffs and Louis
LauTs, against himself. a sub-plot intro
duces rather gay old Judge engaging in
a n 4 n-la 10
woman, with the remarkable name OF
Maizi Mahoni.
The Rogers brothers make their first
appearance as politicians at a ladies
night at the Democratic Club, New York
City, in which scene there is an oppor-
tunity for an abundance OF lilarity OF the
kind familiar in these Rogers shows. The
second act is laid in Washington. and in
this the Teutonic funraakers engage in n
typical sidewalk conversational turn. The
third act of the piece brings everybody to
the Pan-American Exposition. where is
displayed a capital reproduction Of the
electric tower. Just toward the conclu-
sion OF the performance the discovery Is
made that neither Chauffs nor Lautfs has
ever been naturalized. and, therefore,
Hartman is entitled to TIA coveted seat
in the lower house on the hill.
This plot, it will be noted, is not calcu
lated to tax the intellect to any extent,
but IL is sufficient to string lot of first
class vaudeville specialtie5 upon. or these
special features the best liked last night
we're a burlesque on comic opera; a song
and chorus called Get Next to the Man
With a Pull" coon song. Ma Ebony
Belle" sung by the Rogers brothers and
Hattie Williams The Wedding OF the
Reuben and the Maid" sung by Gus and
Max Rogers, Edith ST. Clair, and Jeanette
Bageard THE March of the Electric
Light Cadets" introduced In the second
act with great success by about forty girls
arrayed in magnificent costumes orna-
mented with myriad OF tiny electric
Lights; a burlesque song and dance inter
preted by the Rogers brothers and six
teen young women, and very fetching
ensemble called "1776-i90f," in which
thirty-six of the comeliest members OF
the chorus represent, in song and cos
tune the numerous stages OF development
OF fashion in this country.
Max and Gus Rogers have plenty TO do
In their Washington piece, and they do it
all most cleverly. Their cross-fire con-
yersations are bright and new. and were
II not for the warning on the programme
that they are guarded by copyright The
Times readers this morning might be
given a chance to regard few Of the
choicest in cold type.
organization is Hattie Williams, who as
Maizi Mahoni displayed an immense
amount OF v.Yacity and proved too That
she is a very capable actress. Her work
stood out prominently above the efforts OF
the other feminine members OF the com
many last night. and she scored one OF the
distinct hits OF the performance. Edith
81 Clair looked as dainty and pretty as
usual, and helped the chief comedians
with their songs. and jeanette BaBeard
did all this and danced few steps IN
addition.
surrornded By lot OF the merry merry
element and at the same time remember
that he IS an actor OF the legitimate
school; William West clings tenaciously
10 his coster songs. with which he mas
ynore success in this country than anyone
else and Pat Rooney recalls his late tai
ented sire principally because be has none
of his humor. although perhaps 4 pedal
6exterity may be accepted In lieu OF the
narentai talent. The Rogers Brothers
chorus is in a class all by itself. and It is
not only good-looking and. gorgeously
rovnad and perfectly drilled. but it is
considerably larger than most organiza-
lions offer The scenic appointments are
ali of the elaborate kind and klaw & Err
Ianeer seem to have forgotten or neglect
ed nothing that might add 10 the attrac-
tiyeness Of their this years production
for the Rogers Brothers.
There will be matinee performances Of
.srbc Rogers Brothers in Washington" at
the National Theatre tomorrow and Sat
urday
1,he coIu,nbin-tndrew Mack in
..Tom Moore"
CAST or CHARACTERS.
r. u-e Andrew Mack
Bs5,co ~ wales NytOn Calicc