The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13

Oh the ndfSn CRITICISMS OF the press came
the refusal of the public to pay to see the
performance.
The success of the Crossman Nell
Gwynn play has resulted in a regular
Nell craze throughout the entire country
and it is a poor sort of a ten-twenty-
thirty-ce company or a stock organiza-
ton that has not already presented some
sort of a version of Nell. So far, Wash
ington has not had a chance to see any
of the numerous pieces that have the IA
nous actress for its central figure
Neither is there any chance that this
city will see the Crossman play, as there
is no theatre that it is possible for her
management to secure, and Washington
ians can watch the battle of the Nells
from afar with the interest that is born
of neutrality.
The technique of Sarah bernhard has
been brought TO such state OF exalted
perfection that it approaches the hybrid.
Her voice is not that of speech, but of
song, and II is placed as exquisitely as
PATHS or Melba's. Bernhard is interested
In all the intricate possibilities of the
theatre. and continually delves. She takes
everything seriously-tea, love affairs,
frocks, literature dissipation, charities,
mosaic life.
The actress made a deep impression
upon Isset Pasha and in compliment to
the great Bernhard art, he several years
ago invited her to visit his harem, some
thing almost unheard of in the Pasha's
menage, Cora Urquhart Potter, the Amer
lean actress. and Nine. Bernhard being
the only two women known to have been
admitted into this convent of wives dur
sacred family Nine Bernhard was be-
sought by the frolicsome girls-for they
were most Of them very young-to act for
them, and after a laughing hesitation and
courteous refusal, she allowed them to
coax her into a recitation. They were
very pretty and chic. and the general
comic opera appearance of the entire
harem amused and captivated the impress
sionable Bernhardt. The chronicler of the
event AYERS that they cuddled around the
actress on embroidered pillows and divans.
One or two stately learned ladies, with
grave faces, talked Sorosis and classics to
her in piquant Turko-F French, though most
of them knew no French at all; and the
more dignified, thoughtful danes grace
fully begged her for tragedy, as some
times among themselves they played little
poetical comedies or idyls, but none, of
course possessed gifts of exalted enough
degree to attempt The greater art.
So after a pleased deliberation Bern
hardt decided upon the third act of "Phe-
dre," and began the subtle measures of
Racine's solemn verse. To her absolute
and distress, they thought
it was an enormous lot of fun; thsy gig
gled laughed out loud, and Uttered girl
ishly as the magnificent Bernhard voice
rose to splendid heights of music. FINAL
ly one little black-eyed woman. who had
been particularly delighted, rolled ever
from her Odah ottoman and beat her sier-
der hands upon the floor nearly crying
with laughter at Phedre's oratorica1 force.
Bernhard was in a cold perspiration
when she finished and could not be in
duced to forgive the harem for its misin-
OF her recitation. The great
artists feline grace and sweeps of tragic
power were the funniest things the Pa
sha's wives had ever been permitted TO
enjoy; and when informed of their blum
der they listened in establishment to the
news that women who were permitted to
go TO the theatre went there TO weep and
grow thoughtful and to be wrought up
over acting. They had understood. most
Of them that the theatre was the place
for Joy, laughter. and amusement, and
they had meant to pay Nine. Bernhardt
the most adroit of compliments when
they laughed at her "Phedre."
The Hanlon brothers, the creators Of
many popular spectacles, including 'Su
perba," are somewhat retired and even
diffident men, but when induced to talk
about themselves, the narrative of some
of their strange experiences and adven-
lures sounds much like the average fairy
stories. One afternoon last week Mr.. Ed
ward Hanlon was in a reminiscent mood,
and the recital of events and adventures
in his life was intensely interesting.
MY professional career" said Mr..
Hanlon, began in London some time
about 1916. with man named Lees. He
was lawyer by profession and the son
IF highly respected family. AS the law
was not congenial to him, he adopted pro-
'essional athletics, with view OF travel
ng around the world. My two brothers
and | went with him. and he passed us off
IS his sons Lees was one of the hand
soonest men / ever saw, and as we boys
we're little fellows, pretty well up in ath-
etics and rather prepossessing in appear
lnce, | suppose our performance being an
ABSOLUTE novelty in these days. was inter
asting. At any rate, we were well re
.eived wherever We appeared. From Lon
lon we went to Paris and after a sue
.essfuI season there we went into Spain, !
where travelling was done in the most |
primitive way.
''Foreiguers wore then somewhat rare, |
nd we were the objects of much in |
crest In Madrid we were wonderfully |
uccessful and our little party was so |
ortunate as to attract the attention of |
oyaIty and secured the high favor of |
he court 1t was while in Spain the
rst time that we were invited to the
alace of the Duchess of Theba. who was
fterward known as Eugene. Empress of
he French There We met the Duke |
nd Duchess OF Elba the latter Eugenie's |
ister OF course, We were somewhat of
novelty, and as children we doubtless
ad some magnetism, as most children
ave Anyway, the ladies took great
ancy to us, and one one occasion | re-
member the Queen took me in her Jap |
nd gave me "a good motherly kiss.
Manager Chase announces in appropri-
te remembrance OF the second anniver-
airy of the establishment of polite vaude-
lille In Washington more innovations for
he comfort and convenience of his pa
rons The chief and most unusual one
the delivery by carriers. of reserved
eats ordered in advance and for this pur
ose he will employ force of uniformed
ads who will by means of bicycles. carry
UGH tickets to the home or Office adj
resses of the persons ordering them by
telephone. letter or otherwise. This de
very will also include tickets that are
eserved by the same persons for regular
performances each week throughout the
eason.
He has also placed in the hands of one