Evening star., 1901-03-27
AMI SEMENTS.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. Wilson
Barretts strong historical drama, '"Tha
Sign of the Cross now in it's fifth success
fui American season, will return to the
Columbia Theater for the week beginning
Monday, with matinees Thursday and Sat
urday The company that will present the
piece is the same that has been appear
ing in this country for the last four years
and the only one playing it in America.
Charles Dalton, who has been at the head
of the organization ever since it came to
this country, will be seen again as Marcus
Superbus the Roman prefect part for
which he is admirably fitted both in
physique and elocutionary powers Others
in the cast who will play important parts
are w. T.. Bonney, Henry n. Wenman
Harry Chile, T. A. Shannon, Harold West
George Flood, Lille Thurlow, Maude War
rilow, Agnes Scott, Meita Brice, Mignon
Shattinger, Rita Trekelle and Bessie Toner
Rome in the days of Nero, when sumptuous
vice and prof1gate luxury ruled the en-
peror and his court, is the theme of many
powerful novels, but Wilson Barrett was
the first TO reproduce upon the stage the
magnificent surroundings of the noble pa
gans contrasted with the poverty and pri-
Vatlons OF the early Christians.
ADA REHAN.-Ada Rehan and her COM
pany, together with the entire New York
knlckerbocker Theater production Of
sweet Nell of Old Drury," will form the
attraction at the New National Thcater
for one week beginning next Monday night
The play created a marked sensation in
London. where it ran an entire season. 1t
is remarkable fact that the theatrical
sensation of the London season should he
play written by Paul Kester, an Ameri-
can. Nell Gwyn, character to whom his
tory has not been kind. In al least one way,
is placed in the crucible of author s
mind and comes out womanly woman
The Sweet Nell of Old Drury'' is a laugh
ing, happy creature, ambitious. it IS true,
possessed OF an effervescing and sometimes
biting wit which stands her in good stead
IN time of need, and yet withal she has a
soul and a heart of which any woman
might be proud. Mr.. Kester's Nell Is de-
scribed as peculiar character. sunny and
fresh as June morning one moment and
the next as strong and unyielding as steel
To aSsimilate and portray the elnsive
charm of such a woman as Nell Gwvn is a
task for nature of peculiar alluremaat
and one that is both sympathetic end
piQuant. Miss Rehans success in this nlav
has been pronounced in several cities where
the play has been seen and created A sen
sation at the knickerbocker Theater New
York. where it ran to crowded houses
LAFAYETTE SQUARE STOCK COM
PANY.-''The Amazons," Pinero's famous
comedy, is the bill announced for next
week at the popular Lafayette Square The
ater. Pinero is the author of Sweet Law
cent great success. THE Gay Lord
, Quex'' THE Amazons' is a fantas-
tic, romantic high-class comedy Of ex-
quisite refinement and is repIete with
unique and laughable situations. The
story Is told as only an artist like Pinero
can tell it. A well-to-do woman of best
society, who despises girls, finds herself
the mother of three winsome lassies, whom
she forthwith educates and trains as boys
Within the vast and carefully protected
domains of their country home in Eng
| land the three girls, attired in the latest
| male fashions. are taught to ride, to hunt,
lIEyh In hnxyb
| fashion. The three girls who have no
| sympathy with their mothers eccentriclty,
| are at heart and by nature the most wo-
| manly creatures. Their girlish attempts to
| be manly create some of the best comedy
| scenes of the play. One of their daily du-
| ties is a course of training in a gymna-
| sium connected with the house, where. In
| the most approved girlish fashion, they do