Evening journal., 1901-04-23
AMONG THE PLAYERS

Miss Ella Fontainebleau, supported
by the Schiller Stock Company, OPEN
ed a weeks engagement in the Opera
House last night before large audi
ence. The play was "A Soldier of the
Empire" and 1t was elaborately staged
and admirably presented by the mem
bers of the company. which is an even
ly balanced one. Between the acts in
teresting and refined specialties are
given. This afternoon the matinee at
traction is "The Octoroon,' and this
evening Taken From Life" will be
presented. ''Sapho" will be played
some afternoon during the week.
"Way Down East" the great pro-
duction of William A. Brady, that is to
be given at the Opera House next Mon
day, already has had a seven months
continuous stay in one theatre in New
York. and in few weeks will return
there and open at the Academy of
Music, the largest of the metropolitan
theatres. where 1t is expected to re-
main for an entire year This is an in
dication of the great drawing power Of
this. the most interesting of modern
dramas
"The Princess Chic" which comes
TO the Grand Opera House next Tuesday,
is described as a new and original
opera comique, book by Kirke la
Shelle, music by Julian Edwards. 1t is
claimed that In this opera they have
made a wide departure from the con-
structive form of the sort of comic
opera that has been chiefly in vogue
during the past few years, and have
endeavored to meet the demand fire.
quently made for something in the
light opera line in the nature of re-
turn to the higher plane of both book
and story which for Sd long was potent
in charming and delightfully."- enter
tanning the public. In other words
they admit that the farce comedy and
the extravaganza are Intentionally
omnted from the book and score Of
The Princess Chic" In their place
they have endeavored TO supply an in
teresting story surrounded with the
glamour and romance of medieval
days, music of melOdic form, but de-
void of senseless jingle and syncopated
movement, and comedy that is legiti
mately incidental and consistent with
the locale and the period That they
have succeeded in doing this is attested
by the serious criticism Of the press
of Boston. New York and ether places
where it has been heard. If it should
prove equally satisfactory here in the
same direction their efforts will doubt
less be warmly welcomed by a large
portion of the music-loving public of
this city. In organizing the company
for the presentation of this opera Mr.
LaShelle has had the advantage of his
experience as the manager of the Bos-
tonians for some seasons, and the or-
ganization and management of Frank
Daniels Opera Company and Augustus
Thomas Arizona" and It is supposed
that he would leave nothing undone
to obtain company to present his
own work in an entirely adequate
manner. It is said he has given the
opera a production of extreme costli-
ness and elabotation.
1t would appear that Miss Viola Al
Ken, in her Presentation Of Lprimer
StOddard's rehabilitation of +. Marion
Crawford's romance. in the Palace Of
the King" With is to be presented at
the Grand Opera House on the evening
of May 1, had outdOne all former pro-
ductions Of romantic costume plays.
The new play is divided into six splen-
did scenes, and the several settings are
described as being of great magnifi-
cence, being exact duplicates of apart
ments of the palace of the Alcazar,
Madrid. The costumes, too, are cOun-
terparts of those worn by the kings
and queens, courtlers and court ladies
OF Spain, during the splendid era of
Philip the Second. In New York Miss
Allen has enjoyed almost uneXampled
prosperity with this play. 1t is, ac-
cOrding to all accounts, a drama Of
intense dramatic power, and in it Miss
Allen is said to be provided with role
exactly suited to her splendid powers
as an actress.
william A. Brady and Joseph R,
GriRmer's much talked Of presentation
of HBetsy Ross" was shown for the
first time in any city last Tuesday night
at the Chestnut Street Opera House
Philadelphia A large and fashionable
audience was present, and, if enthu-
siasm may be taken as a proof Of sue
cess. the piece is sure of a long and
profitable run. The engagement as YET
is without limit and there is every
prospect that it will continue until thS
hot weather in view of the hit men.
toned. Betsy Ross is a play Of the
American revolution in which The
author of MY Friend From India" ha'
adorned fact with fiction much as die
Clyde Fitch in Barbara Freitchie.'
So little is accurately known Of th'
Quakeress who made the first American
flag that no one will dispute the draw
ing Of her character; a character ful
Of bright lights and Of contrasting
shadcws. The love story with whicl
she has been supplied however, is al
most entirely imaginary, though tn
lover really existed and was marrie
Members Of the Alumni and Alum
nae Association Of the High Schoc
will give an entertainment in the Hig