The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-05
AT THE THEATRES.


The CoIumbin-The Rogers Brothers.
There is nothing but light music, dances
splendidly executed. some startling varie-
! ties of acrobatism, a dozen or so uncom-
monty entertaining comedians, a wealth of
beautiful costumes garbing small-sized
battalion of fair chorus diviuities-the like
of which nave not been seen on u Wash
ingtOn stage since the visit Of the Weber 4;
Fields company-in The Rogers Brothers
in Central Park" Indeed. the presenta-
tion Of the T<law & Erlanger comedy COM
pany is a good imitation of the Weber
Fields style of entertainment. and when
this is said a good idea of the style of the
performance that delighted a yacked
house at the Columbia last night may be
had. There is nothing in the whole affair
that is not calculated to please the aver
age auditor. and to judge by the unusual
amount of laughter and applause that
greeted the German comedians and their
associates, their mission was more than
fulfilled.
So far as any plot in The Rogers Broth
ers in Central Park is concerned, there
is absolutely none after the first few min
utes of the piece. During this short time
the story that is brought forward concerns
a man who keeps matrimonial agency
and friend who has begun through it a
Irritation with his wife's ancient aunt, and
receives photograph of mis- wife, which
the aunt has sent her own. 1t ism
much of a story. stage stories go, and
Is never allowed to get in the way of the
fun. The Rogers brothers are ''discOv
eyed in folding bed in the first act, and
make their second entrance in a goat car
riage in front OF the Casino, Central Park.
while in the third act they reach the roof
of the Waldorf-AstOria by way of a fire
escape. The reason for the title of the
affair is given by the comedians blIyine
Central Park, Mo, while to their innocent
minds they were acquiring Central Park
New York City The piece may have had
more of plot In its original form. but
the performance at the Columbia last
night may Just as well have been termed
the Rogers Brothers in Orange N j. OF
Yazoo City, Miss, for. with the exception
OF an alleged representation of the Casino
there was nothing about Central Park
in II.
But whatever was lacking in plot and
continuity was more than made M in
sioeWalk conversations, catchy songs,
CieNer dances, and marches and dances
that were full of life and color The nu-
SIC OF some of the songs while simple in
composition, was uncommonly good par
tlcharIy W hen Reuben Comes to Town
sung by the Rogers brothers. Miss Sin
cialr, and Miss Bageard: The Duchess of
Central Park" "A Bottle and a Bird.
ana Run, Brother Postum, Run" and
RuSh, the former leading lady with RO-
land Reed. Miss Rush continues. in this
latest sample of frivolity, to wear some
stunning dresses which perhaps make UP
Tor the lack of singing voice. William
West has couple If coster songs which
ne sings very well. Louise Royce also
mas musical selection allotted to her
whlIe such clever comedians as Lee Har-
rison and Arthur Gibson help on the fun
with comical makeups. Johnny Page
MI John rage of last seaSon-and Miss
Emma Francis furnish one of the great
hits or the performance in an acrobatic
specially IN which Miss Francis does a
series of hipfops and handsprings and
similar stunts with cheerful disregard
OF consequences, while the acrobatic Mr.
Page does his familiar contortionistic ac-
complishments that lead the spectator to
wonder If the little fellow is not built
of rubber
Ben Teals arrangement of the dances
ana marches is most praiseworthy, and to
him as much as anyone connected with
the production is due a great deal of the
credit for the success of the piece fer
with the Teal contribution absent IL would
be very dun and unlively performances
Max and Gus Re gers and their associates
VIII no doubt crowd the Columbia during
the week. This condition of affairs will
certainly exist If theatregoers appreciate
that the best thing of its type that has
come to the city since the Weber & Fields
organizatio played a one-night engage
ment here last spring is The Rogers
Brothers in Central Park There will be
matinees on Thursday and Saturday.