Evening star., 1902-09-13

The theatrical season may now be re-
garded as fully inaugurated in this city.
ali of the theaters having thrown open
their doors. and the public being in a re-
spOnsive mood. Patronage was liberal at
nearly all the houses, the novelty of the
season being "A Rose o. Plymouth-Town"
at the Columbia Theater. The play serves
to introduce Minnie Dupree as a star and
while not very intense in quality, it would
be well worthy to serve a vehicle for
any of the actresses who apply themselves
to the portrayal of the gentler and more
winsome phases of the feminine character.
A production of this kind takes double
chance. Two questions must be answered
in the affirmative before success is prob
able. First, rs the play sufficient" and,
second, HAS the actress the qualities which
invite popular interest in her personality?'
Even when both these conditions are met
lack of opportunity may prevent a COM
plete recognition of the deserts of the pro-
ductiOn.
Miss Dupree has an eminently pleasing
personality and performs the roll of the
coquettish little Puritan with rare grace.
The play is A most plausible study of hu-
man nature. the characters being lifted out
of the rigid and aUStere lines into which
tradition has cast them and made genuinely
human and sympathetic. They are not the
mere creatures OF bigotry: their blood is
their nerves vibrate to the same emotions
that thrill these later generations who in
habit the soil which they braveIy pio-
neered. The dialogue has great literary
charm and the piece when relieved of some
of the abrupt melodrama of the last act
can scarce fail 10 please those who wit
ness 1t.
The Show Girl" is an incoherent jumble
Of fascinating foolishness. Story, the piece
has none; specialties it has in glorious
abundance. and good-looking girls who
march and dance with tireless yivacty
The piece has been rewritten many times
and could stand the ordeal a few times
more, so long as the dancers and testers
are not eliminated. The witticisms, the
performers and the music are mostly good
cid friends in other clothes.
Chase's Theater opened its season with a
Dill of moderate merit. Improvements have
been made on the stage which no doubt
will contribute much to the enjoyability of
the acts presented during the season The
new orchestra is being featured on the pro-
gram. an orchestra recital being men
toned as one of the attractions. If the
comments Of performers this week reflect
the general opinion OF players who have to
depend on music, the house will become
recognized as one of the very few in which
Monday afternoon performances come easy.
The Lafayette Theater opened to good
attendances this week, and the indications
are that smooth way has been paved for
a successful engagement of the Pike Thea
ter Stock Company, which has attained
some celebrity, not only as an aggregation
or home favorites, but as a travelling COM
blnatlOn. Andrew Robinson's production of
Richard Carvel'' found a considerable de-
gree OF favor although the play, which
was not very good when presented here by
John Drew, has not been visibly improved
since that time.
meeting of the theater managers of this
city took place last Thursday at the Regent
Hotel The exact purpose of the gathering
has not been officially announced
The fact that in accord with the usual
stair program. new managerial talent
has been introduced to Washington at both
the houses with which he is associated led
TO surmise that the assembIage was for
the purpose of welcoming Messrs Lamotte
OF the Lafayette and Powell of the Academy
to the fireside circle. 1t is reported on the
authority Of one who does not desire to
be quoted that various objects of an or
ganization of Washington theater man.
ayers were suggested Manager Rapley de-
clared In favor of organization for the
promotion of golf. Manager Chase, owing
10 pleasant memories of last season. leaned
10 ping pong Manager Luckett proposed
an association for the prevention Of penny
ante. and Manager Schlesnger of the EN-
pre desired the formation of fund to pro-
vide free caramels for ladies and children
at matinees. Manager Herman suggested a
subscription to assist Carrie Nation In car
ryins on her work. The authority respon-
sioie Tor the above report refuses to state
whether or not the subject of stage hands
me- N n for "A
There has been some trouble with the en-
ployes back Of the scenes which on one or
Two occasions threatened to interfere with
the performance, and 1t is reasonable tn
suppose that it is with a view of meeting
or obviating such emergencies that a rnu-
tual understanding of some kind is con-
templated.
FEMININE playgoers Will be interested In
Miss Percy Haswelrs display of clothes
next week In the first act Miss HasweJI
wears costume of blue crepe de chine
embroidered in turquoise and crystals
with handwork of blue and medalIions of
white Irish lace. This serves as a royal
house robe.
In act two she wears a new style of out
ing costume OF white English serge with
new Dupont collar of real lace.
Act three. white crepe de chine empire
gown, with chantiliy insertions over fiounces
and hounces of accordeon-pIeated chiffon
lace jacket Is worn with this trimmed
in pink panne velvet leaves.
In the second scene of act third Miss
Haswell appears in court gown of white
duchess satin, ermine fur and gold leaves
trimming 1t. This costume has a court
train of white mousseline de sole, heavily
embroidered in gold leaves and brilliants
with clusters of gold grapes.
Byron Douglas leading man of the Pike
Theater Company. Is somewhat Of hu-
morist In his way. although he generally
hides his Hight under bushel. Last week
In New York a friend met him and COM
meatsd on the hat Douglas had on Moth