Evening star., 1902-02-01

Why do we laugh? Is it a question for
The psychologist or the naturalist? Do we
strive to initiate the glow of sunshine and
the ripple of streams; or are we surprised
out of our civilization and shocked or
startled until we show our teeth and howl
like quadrupeds? A study Of the things
that have made people laugh at the Wash
ington theaters this week throw no new
light on the subject. In fact, in some in
stances the mystery is heightened
= :
F. S. Wizards attraction makes no pre-
tensions whatever to humor. 1t is a grave
and right reverend drama, but potent
withal. Mr.. Willard has made the mistaR-
of intrusting important roles to people Of
moderate ability and the result is unfor-
tunate contrast with the conscientious com-
pleteness shown by some American mana
gers and stars. The Cardinal does not
adjust itself to Mr.. Wizards temperament
nearly well does. for instance Tom
Pinch, which he plays tonight There is a
certain scholarship in The Cardinal
which gives it intellectual charm, despite
the fact that the story is told in a highly
artificial manner in order to secure sensa-
tional surprises. The attendance at the
New National Theater this week paid
strict tribute to art. THE Cardinal has
amongst the display of ecclesiastical dig
nifty. 1t is not to laugh
x x
At the Columbia Theater an entirely diff
ferent order OF things prevailed. 1t was a
case of ''iet US be merry. even if it hurts"
from the first rise to the last fall of the
curtain. The librettist has evolved a num-
Der OF new quips and fancies. which were
good for hearty laughs.
According to the historian at king
Dodo's'' court the proper way to convey
the idea of long. long ago is to say that
an event transpired before the Dead sea
t.sG''
Raymond Hitchcock and Gertrude Quin-
Ian have many of the funny lines between
themselves in king DoIo,' In the first
act he SAYS 10 her:
Why Annette, you have new hat.
Every time 1 see you nowadays you have
new one. feel like calling you Hatty.' -
This jibe has no effect on Gertrude, who
replies:
& Your majesty. your gown is very loose.
You know all of your clothes have been
loose of late
''Oh. yes. 1 like them that way" replied
e Hitchcock in pleased voice.
Well continued Miss Quinlan as An
. nette. Il feel Ike calling you Lucy"
Why do you lift your skirts so high?'
asked Hitchcock on another occasion dur
: ing DOdO's reign
Every girl lifts her skirts over two
feet, replied Miss QuiElan.
In King Dodo'' the baritone appeals elo-
quently to the soubrette:
Have you ever known what it is to love
the stars
IF 1 We're a man." replied the soubrette
in true soubrettish fashion. Il would prefer
something 1 could take hold of occasion
ally"
WhereupOn. oy way of Illustration, she
proceeded to break stay on one Cf the
chorus girlss
1t is almost irreverent to look for humor
in the lines of Quo Vadis." Yet there is
an unconscious touch now and then which
illustrates how the feminine mind goes at
IL hammer and tongs when it is desired to
give an impression of moral abandonment.
The way in which Miss Glider makes her
characters remark, ITO Hades with" one
thing another shows a recklessness
which would be unsafe for one whose liter
airy connections had not been so tradition
ally substantial and demure. William Con-
ley introduced new bit of business on
utShdN III lIlc SCENE "HeTe, as the
drunken poet. Lucan. he invaded the throne
room. he upset the throne. 1t toppled back
behind the scenes to great applause, but
was restored without spelling the continu-
fly of the play. There was some apprehen-
sion for time that Nero would have tC
stand up.
The patrons of Chase's Theater We're af-
forded generous opportunity this week to
laugh good naturedly, if they so desired
for every number of the bill was intended
TO be mirth provoker. The witticism:
were many. and, possibly even il some o!
them first saw the light of day, so to speak
prior to the beginning of the new century
they were received enthusiastically and
obtained as far-reaching results as though
they had been originated for the present en-
sagement. Some of the word missiles tina,
hit the mark fo..ow:
Who was the first man?'' INQUIRED r II
Mohr. the ventriloquist of his little wooden
Irishman
Adam, was the prompt response, 'an6
Eve was the first woman"
HOW do you ACCOUNT for that?'
Why. she was the first made"
Further Mr. Mohr asked to be INFORMED
as to ths spot where Moses was discovered
On the Yale team declared the figure.
''oh no. decided the ventriloauist
Wen. then" suggested the puppet. "ol
the Harvard team"
Mr.. Mohr remarked that such was no
the case
He must have been on some foot bal
team. rather testify insisted the figure
for he was certainly found between tn
rushes. E"
In connection with their farce Al Leeci
and the Three Rosebuds present q schoo
room scene --.-.s ~ 80
What is an island?" asked Leech. VIII,
posed as the teacher
"A wart on the ocean," answered one Of
the scholars
What Is the capital OF the Unite{
States! was another Of the queries.
The steel trust" was the prompt r.
.Rpoases .
- sames J.. Merton during his mono,oru.