Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-15
ADJUSTMENTS.

| of the American revolution has melted
into the perspective of history sufficiently
to make it a safe subject for imaginative
Interpretation. The burning issues which
led to it are now scattered ashes. Instead,
the light of Anglo-American friendship
shines on a hospitable hearth. There is no
need now for the writer of fiction, in deal
Ing with the topic to sacrifice situations
and clfmaxes for the sake of the minute
facts in the case, to mold his characters
according to any rigid popular prejudices.
In order to work out his story of the SOL
der who falls In love with a fair patriot
OH the other side (where have We met these
people before0 Louis Evan Shipman has
been hampered by bigoted demand on
the part of the American public that the
Brlt1shers shall be portrayed as unprin-
ciples ogres. The dramatist may work
with a free hand. There is no offense in
causing the red coats to blossom forth as
the most perfectly considerable and high
minded gentlemen in the world and In por-
traylng the stout old Quaker as gro
tesque, though well-meaning fungus. The
popular tolerance in such matters should
lead to great revolutionary play, one of
these days, as the author may work abso-
lutely without hindrance
darcy of the Guards makes no am
bilious bids for recognition as work that
realizes the dramtic possibilities of that
period. The revolution is merely back
ground, against which a little love episode
IS prettily depicted. Darcy is one of those
lrishmen who know how to fight and pay
compliments and who are either head over
ears in love or in debt The stage knows
that lrishman WELL and loves him de-
Votediy. He makes his first appearance be-
fore the audience at the National Theater
in time to keep the American lass from
being kissed by a couple of horrid Hes
SLAMS, and two duels are arranged for-but
of in lir,,r-
Mr.. Shipman has shown the more refined
side of a soldiers life A revel just before
battle makes a CHEEKY bit of comedy.
The soldiers sing sally in Our Alley"
drink claret punch and smoke church,
warden pipes. The climax of abandon is
reached when they stand up on their chairs
and toast the king in loud tone of voice.
The pretty ballad charmingly rem
dered.
Darcy is dashing and agreeable stage
parsonage. and Mr.. Miller adjusts himself
to the role quite handily His brogue is
something quite his own. Mr. MilIer's own
nounced to be merged with complete sue
cess INTO any national habitude of speech
he lnterprets the comedy with an ease
which would scarcely be expected in an
actor whose chief distinction had been at
tanned in characters of unmtigated gloom
waiter Allen plays the part of gruff mil
ltary man in style which is not ut all
suggestive of the days when he was the
lhn-keeper in the comic operas, but which
rejects credit on his adaptabiity The
principal feminine part is taken by
florence Rockwell, who faces the difficult
task OF combining an ngenue role with
mat of a love-lorn patriotess with the
bravery to be expected of a revolutionary
heroine.
ID Arcy of the Guards is an evenings
comedy entertainment, and thus consid-
cred, 1t is satisfying.
COLUMBIA Observation-Disclosures 10
still the Dolnrac ;e.
shade of the shelterng palms. Lady HOW
ROOD is decidedly in town with huge
amount Of tact, Mr.. Gilfain continues mil
1onaire, Tweedlepunch is pumping merrily
along, and Capt. Donegal has not ceased to
want to be a military man. And then the
sextet! In clinging, lavender gowns,
in picture hats and gossamer silk stock
mgs the pretty maidens are telling the
gentle sirs about the girls at home nodding
their shapely heads all curls and tufts and
st Tng about In manner most alluring
me second showing Of "Florodora in
washington last evening was characterized
by all the enthusiasm which marked the
initial presentation here a few weeks ago
Many front row habitue has been wish
ing for a return of the sextet and all its
accompanments, while the regular theater-
goers who content themselves with the
more staid seats further away from the
foot1ghts have expressed the desire to
near the entire comedy all over again.
therefore, it was happy house-filling au-
dlence that gathered at the Columbia, made
lore and We're anxious for second glimpse
and some who had missed the previous OPP
portunity. The greatest interest was
manifested In the personnel of the present
company, which was billed In advance as
the original company, and which in reality
represents the first of all the companies
now singing this veritable gold mine from
the authors Of The Geisha." The delight
of the production it may well be said was
Edna Wallace Hopper, as Lady Hoyrood
From the very first her dainty personality
impressed itself on her audience, and there
after when she was on the stage all eyes
were centered on her petite and beauti-
fully gowned figure. She repaid all her ad-
mirers well, too, for the confidence they
expressed in her, for in acting and sing
ing the part of My Lady she was won
woman who has recently come into vast
California estates, decided to set up an
opposition to the calcium machine in the
gallery and appeared bedecked with dia-
TCnd pins and brooches that fairly took
the audience off its feet. Then there was
r. f. Graham In the role of Mr.. Gilfain
looking for all the world like Senator
Chauncey Depew. The likeness is most
through the audience last night. He fits
the part like the original character and
was good throughout. Cyril Scott, long a
favorite In Washington for his musical
comedy work Is the Captain Donegal of the
company, and 1t is source of decided re-
greet he has no more to do than is assigned
that role. w. P. Carleton, who was the
Lord Abercoed of the first company in
Washington is included in the present or
ganization, and last night repeated his sue
cess of earlier In the season. Philip H.
Ryley is Tweedlepunch, and gets plenty Of
comedy out of the part Helen Redmond
remembered for her good work with Frank
Daniels. is the Dolores, singing the role and
herself into much favor Jeanette Lowrie
Is Angela, and If this little woman were
just a bit less strenuous and explosive her
work would be excellent At present she
is almost too cute. The Island of Florodora
Is sure to be popular stopping place for
theatrical tourists this week
LAFAYETTE OPERA HOUSE.-As
facetious auditor last night expressed it, "a
Midsummer Nights Dream" has been trans
ferred from the curtain of the National to
the stage of the Lafayette. But the process
was one of fine elaboration. The play was
given with a liberality that amounted to
sumptuousness, and there is no doubt that
a large attendance will welcome it's fairies
spirits. dryads, imps fays. fauns gnomes
sylphs, sprites elves, pixies, COLLINS and wood
nymphs, during their stay of one week The
production is perhaps the most notable and
elaborate of the Lafayette's season, and is
distinct and notable achievement for the
Bellows Stock Company. This fairy comedy