Evening star., 1901-11-05

ary merit possessed by the book 1s but
slightly reflected in the play. 1t provides a
thrilling evenings diversion, with some en-
tertaining studies of historic personalities,
and displays some very competent acting,
notably in the case of Rose Eytinge, who as
an artist capable of measuring effect and
with the temperament which impresses
through natural sympathy, stood head and
shoulders above any one else on the stage,
with the possible exception of the star HIM
self. Miss Eytinge had but little to do. and
her lines contained nothing that gives the
signal for applause to the audience. But
the merit of her work could not fail to i'm
press itself. The cast is a very extensive
one and includes number of very accom-
pliShed players
COLUMBIA THEATER.-Lulu Chaser
has Joined the union. No matter the Sehley-
Sampsonian irreconcilable controversy as
TO who fathered the organiza tion-De Wolf
Hopper or Frank Daniels-the ,whirling
twirling Miss Chaser has jumped in with
both her dainty feet and the pair of an
kles about which so much of the plot of
Dolly Warden" is written. It's the comic
opera stars speechmaking amalganated
association. No comic opera evening is
considered complete at this period without
the display of the union insignia in the
shape of a curtain talk. Not alone has
the custom come to be written In the ex-
peotatfons of the audience, but is very
often included in the book by the librettist
forming an important feature of his work.
Il feel" said Miss Chaser last night to her
large and friendly audience, like the little
boy who fell into the barrel of molasses
whenever l come to Washington, for it is
sweet to be here" This statement had
a good effect, and, fearing to venture fur
ther into the forensic fields, she closed with
the form prescribed by the union of which
she is now such shining member: "On
behalf Of Nj Whitney, my company and
myself Miss CHASER should have been
pleased with the reception accorded her.
At first the audience was reserved and in
clined to be chilly. but when she came
with that rollicking, froicking, haphazard
comedy to which she has become addicted
the thin coating of ice which had begun
to form at once melted away and from
that time to the end there were applause
and merriment in abundance. At the finish
the gallery was whistling the predominant
ballad, Dainty Dolly-Dolly Warden and
the Washington playgoers accounted the
production a big success. Dolly Warden
is the most pretentious offering muscally
to be found in this seasons comic opera
catalogue. 1t is constructed along the old
fashioned lines, with jolly dog song
in the first act, song of the sword in
the second act and innumerable love bal
lads served in between. Each time a MEM
Der OF the cast chanced to be left alone
on the stage the audience knew what was
coming. But the music was all bright and
catchy, not without stability, either, and
was interpreted by company whose sing
Ing abilities cannot be questioned. The
choruses which Julian Edwardes has pro-
yided in his score are particularly pleasing
and are sung with precision, warmth of vo-
cal coloring and strength most striking.
Voice above beauty was evidently the
watchword of the management. Whatever
or cleverness there is in the book by Stan
islaus STANCE is reserved for utterance by
Miss Glaser alone The two acts of Dolly
Warden with principals and chorus all
paint npwder and patches with white wigs
and quaint costumes, pretty stage pic
lures. Miss CHASER has toned down consid-
erably since her first effervescent stellar
appearance, and her comedy is now more
refined. She is vivacity itself and sings as
clearly and sweetly as ever Estelle Went
worth of this city Is the prima donna. Her
friends in the audience gave her an ova-
tion last night and found that she sings
perhaps even better than year ago. but
is not yet quite at ease in her stage sur
T0undings Van Rensselaer, Wheeler
Rltchie Ling, Mark Smith, Adah Palmer
Walker and Amelia Fields are some of the
well-known people in the cast.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE
The Wife, which was presented last
which, by its intrinsic worth defes the
tooth of time A decade hence it will
be received with as much favor
as 1t Is today and was a decade ago, when
1t was the greatest success of the Belasco
and De Mile collaborations produced by
Daniel FrOhman at the Lyceum Theater
1t is play that can be seen and enjoyed
more than once It is not sensational nor
comedy element is undoubtedly one of its
chief attractions. It's true worth lies in
the naturalness of it's characters and the
almost rugged way in which it teaches
the lessons of life-lessons which appeal
alike to all social conditions. 1t is not in
any sense preachy play. 1t is merely
story tnat flows as naturally as human ex-
perience. The hero and heroine are hus-
band and wife, who suffer for their mis-
takes as people do in real life, and who are
made happy in the end. as, unfortunately,
many people are not. AS presented by the
stock company the performance for a first
night, was most satisfactory. 1t was re-
free from mishaps or DELAYS in
action. White Whittlesy as Senator Ruth
erford had an excellent opportunity to
further strengthen his position as a can
able and trustworthy leading man. His
of the character was strong
and discreet1y reserved. 1t is entirely an
evening clothes part, and three acts in a
dress suit Is, when conditions are not fa-
Vorabie, likely to be trying. Lillian Law
renee as Helen Truman, the wife, was par
ticularly effective in the third act, wherein
she con1esses to her husband the love she
bears for another. 1t is the dramatic eli
max and could easily have been spoiled in
many ways. John T. Sullivan as Matthew
Culver, politician and villain, is ali
require He takes his foiling after the
manner of all villains, and is in every wav
competent and satisfactory Harry Corson
Clark. IN the. character part of Major
H.
edy in highly enjoyable manner. Fred
erick Sullivan and Antoinette Walker as
the youthful lovers are most verdanrIv
amusing. Charles Wyngate as Robert Gray
the early lover of the wife, was dienffied
and met the requirements of the mart
IA tharine Field Grace Griswold and
X katharine Clinton in minor roles were en-
tlrely equal to their tasks.
CHAsE's THEATER.-"A Trip to China
town is one of the Hoyt farces which
like his "A Parlor Match" needs only the
enlivening effect of new speciaIties to make
1t practically a new play. This leayen is
utilized satisfactorily by Chase's Musical
Comedy Stock Company, an ORGANIZATION
which, judging from the size of the audi
ences at this theater, has secured a stead
fast following in this city Otis Harlan
plays the part of Welland Strong in his
usually agile manner. 1t is unfortunate
that this clever entertainer is not given a
few songs. The only opportunity that he
has outside of his part is in the Reuben
and Cynthia" song with Miss Lane Little
Chip has new song, "They All Had Some
thing to Show with which he commanded
unanimous applause. Mary Marble is clever
and always receives appreciation, but she
needs new material and more of it. Misses
Mcneil and Lester and Messrs. Andrada
E.arlV Rode and oil