The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28

stage doors. After time the regularity
OF their life becomes habitual and l have
had to dispense with only three since the
season began. This alone is a remarha-
bic record, for opera and burlesque COM
panies lose some of their chorus at al
most every city.
''One old stager said to me recently,
when she asked for an engagement and
L told her the rules, 'Umph. you ought to
run seminary. l wouldn't think of en-
during such tyranny. The girls / have.
however. don't know the contrary meth
cd Of living and their chaperons are
eagle-eyed in watching for any tendency
toward 'kickoVers Moreover. l know
the parents of all the girls and a warning
from me that I will write home generally
accomplishes all | desire.
oh, yes, | have had some callow
youths try to break the Gordon surround
their divinities were hedged in on all
sides, but there've never been any flowers,
mash notes. or late suppers visible to
my eyes. | might add that at this time
they take as much pride in maintaining
the discipline as | do and their esprit du
corps is rs much in evidence as in mill
tary company and | am naturally very
proud of them"
Frank Pixley a newspaper writer, who
used to grind out a column of readable
paragraphs on the Chicago Times-Her-
aid" and whose attention has lately been
turned to writing for the stage. has just
sold his latest product. king Dodo'' to
Henry w. Savage. proprietor Of the Cas-
tie Square opera companies. who will
give it a production in the Windy City dur
ing the summer Mr.. Pixleys work has
been well received In Washington. and
two more enjoyable performances than
THE Burgomaster' and The Carpetbag
ger have not been here for some time.
The music for king Dodo'' will be writ
nd rryhn
Tale of the Kangaroo" of The Burgo-
MASTER is nightly whistled by the gal
leryites at the Columbia.
Rose Coghlan, who for some years has
been devoting her talents to the enter
tainment of vaudeville audiences. will
next year make a trip through Mexico.
Yucatan. and Cuba, in Diplomacy" and
several other pieces. in which she has
been seen in years past Miss CoghIan
will be supported by what her managers
claim will be a good company.
Prior TO crossing the border the actress
VIII make brief tour of this country.
Managers George Lederer and NJ b. Lea
witt have secured n chain of thirty some
theatres. throughout Mexico and the con-
tiguous territory, and will present during
the season a number of attractions from
the United States.
Miss Coghlan. who in private life is
the wife of John T. Sullivan. of the La
fayette stock company. may be accom-
panied on her tour by her husband.
The engagement of the Bostonians at
the National Theatre last week was nota-
bic if for no other reason than that it
served to introduce new singer to
in the person of Adele Raj
ter, young girl on whose shoulders has
fallen the cloak of Jessie Bartlett Davis.
and one who for the first time since the
retirement of Mrs. Davis from the or
ganization has adequately filled the lat
ter's place. The Bostonians had many
prima donnas in the old days. but Jessie
bartlett Davis made the contralto roles
so conspicuous that somehow they came
to be considered the star parts and her
from the company created
it seemed impossible to FILL But
in Miss Rafter n singer has at last been
found who can breathe 20 Promise Me-
in the old soulful way and whose An
gelus' is a gem.
Miss Rafter's voice is rich and her
tones are broad. mellow. and as clear as
a bell. She brings her head into gener-
heart get together in a singers art, the
result is obvious. Miss Rafter has all
the requirements for successful ca
beauty magnetism, and, best
Of all, she is young. II is relief TO see a
young woman these days who is capa-
Die and as pleasing as the new contralto
IF the Bostonians and her engagement is
a source of cOngratulation for the mana
gers of the company and of gratitude on
the part of the public.
y Times representative met Miss Raf-
ter during performance at the National
last week and on becoming inquisitive.
learned that this is the singers first pro-
feSsional season.
Yes" she said. mine IS a literal case
Of from church to stage for UP to last
fall / was the contralto in an Episcopal !
church in New York. Four years ago | I
went to Paris. where l studied for two [
ears. Fanchon Thompson, VINO sang with [
he English Grand Opera Company. in the /
Early part of the season. went over when /
did and we were fellow-students there. /
Miss Thompson has beautiful voice, is /
very pretty and magnetic, and l am sure
she will yet make Americans proud of /
her. | went In for grand opera, and of /
course studied all the heavier roles. Ones /
IDEAS and aspirations are apt to carry one /
before them at times and my opportu- /
Is yet presented itself. In fact. It seems (
quite ludicrous that the first role l ever ]
ung in public was Dorothy in The Run
lway Girl, which calls for the rendering b
# on. Listen TO the Band stayed with /
he company a month and then Joined the
3ostonians.
MY season has been very satisfactory.
fhe people in the company are so con-
,enial ard | like the music. Our operas
ire beautiful and 1 enjoy singing them,
hough | believe l am little partial TO
Iany is No; | shall not go back to
hurch music. l am in opera to stay-that !
s. if the public and the newspapers Will
ct me We depend on them very much,
or both have all to do with the making
II marring of our careers. hope to
lave the good will of both. This is my
rst visit to Washington and l have seen
ust enough to make me want 10 come
,ack very soon, so don't be surprised to
ee me-
Manager T. Daniel Frawley, the we'll
.nown Washington player, whose stock
ompany is one of the landmarks of San
Francisco, has been in New York during
he past week selecting players for his
company and securing options of plays
or his use during the coming engagement
# the FrawIey company in Frisco this
ummer. Among the actors he will pre-
ent is Mr.. +. j. Morgan. who will appear
IS Sydney Carton in THE Only Way"
several other capable actors were added
o the Frawley roster during the week.
The name of Strakosch has been IA
niliar 20 all lovers of grand opera for
many seasons, as it has been long iden-
flied with the higher sphere Of music
nd is invariably a guarantee of good
Last week was no exception