The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-31

Local amusement seekers last week
found great diversity in the quality Of
the offerings at the different theatres, and
ii was unique taste that could not be
satisfied. The entertainment at the Ma
tional, The Royal Family was the best
specimen Of the smart comedy that has
come to Washington for many a day. and
the work of Miss Annie Russell and an
exceptionally efficient supporting COM
pany was well-righ perfect. Washing
tonians evidently thought well of the play
and organization, for the Rapley play
house enjoyed one of the best weeks of
the season. At the Columbia The Bur
gomaster'' pleased a series of crowded
houses, and while there was much lack
ing in the musical piece, from a critical
viewpoint, the audiences We're apparently
well satisfied with the performances
The Only Way" as presented by Mr.
Bellows company at the Lafayette
Square, proved to be one of the most sue
cessful productions Of the season. The
company was well adapted to the play
while the management of the stage COM
pared very favorably with that showed
by Henry Miller when the decentralization
of the Dickens story was played here by
him last year Della Fox made what will
probably be her farewell appearances in
Washington, as the feature of Man
ager Chase's bill of polite vaude-
willie. She attracted large audiences
but failed to please as well as was eX-
pected, although her voice is perhaps
better than it ever was. Her old-time Vi
Vacity and righteousness are missing and
she gives evidence of being on the route
to theatrical oblivion. The eminent Mr.
Terry McGovern, at the head of COM
pany presenting the most lurid sort Of
melodrama imaginable, The Bowery
After Dark drew the largest audiences
of the year to the Academy, where the
histrionic efforts Of The little fighter won
the adm Cion of the upper portions of
The house apd caused no end of amuse-
ment to the occupants of the orchestra
chairs. Hope Booth failed to develop any
marked drawing powers as the chief at
traction Of the Fads and Follios burlesque
company at the Bitou where the bust
ness during the week was only fair The |
Iyceum. with Miss New York Jr," oc- I
cupying the boards, was good enough TO |
do an average business
The weekly shift at the local houses !
this week Will bring TO the Columbia I
The Sign of the Cross on its fourth /
visit to the Capital, and as the Wilson |
Barrett play usually gets out in addition |
TO the regular clientele of the house a |
class of people who are not confirmed at |
PENDANTS of the drama. there is small |
doubt but that big crowds will be at |
tracted to the + Street theatre. The Ma
tional viii present Ada Rehan in Sweet |
Nell OF Old Drury,'' the first Of the |
numerous Nell Gwyn pieces to reach this |
city. The Lafayette company viii revive |
Pinero's admirable comedy, The ANA |
IONS, while the Academy will pllt for I
ward "A Texas Steer" which is aIrt-si,..,
sure Of cordial welcome in Washington.
Manager Chase's vaudeville programme
will be headed by Ezra Kendall. and will
include number of other players who
are favorably known. The Biiou will be
occupied by the Trocadero burlesquers.
while at the Lyceum the Rentz-Santley
company will be saen