Evening star., 1902-01-04


"The Toreador'' wished Washington a
happy New Year and the theatergoers here
freely returned the compliments of the sea-
son. 1t is one of several successes that have
been launched from here this season, for If
1t proves other than a success all signs fail
Those who distrusted so new an ac-
quaintance as The Toreador' had stanch
and tried old friend in Foxy Quiller.
Washington has some reason to take an
especial pride in ''Quiller for it was In
this city that Jerome Sykes first introduced
the comic detective in the later environ
ment of song and story in which De koven
and Smith placed him. Washington liked
the piece, and so testified at the box office
as we'll as in the way of comment In New
York it was hailed with enthusiastic dis
approval Only one or two newspa pers
had good word to say for it. 1t Jared forth
upon the road, and again it prospered So
strong has been the approval that the pro-
duction OF new piece which was sched-
uled for Mr.. Sykes has been postponed, in
order to continue with Foxy Quiller."
What the new piece is has not been an
nounced, but it will probably be a musical
comedy. Every comedian desires musical
comedy. The Rogers brothers come pretty
near setting the pace these days.
If the present craze over bicycling con-
tinues the roller skate fad may find hopes
of resuscitation, The cycle sensation at
Chase's proved a spectacular affair. 1t may
be easy when you know how; but the nerve
REQUIRED to learn makes the act impressive
u those who have not been familiar with
the rounding of sharp turns on an ordinary
racing track
Ia "a 1rr+1 Drpff ar ia
for little Miss Walker in assigning her to
the title role in Sweet Lavender" and she
made out with il remarkably well.
The Academy of Music had a week of
thrills with the war drama Winchester"
II introduced Wright Huntington, an actor
Of exceptional talents. whose work invested
the melodrama with many points of artis-
tic worth.
The Bijou TIleater had a bicycle act evil
dentIy designed after the same model as the
one at Chase's Theater- 1t got away bad
1y, but was in working order before the
week had progressed far.
Kernan's had its usual steadfast clientele
of variety patrons.
"Out of the heart the mouth speaketh ~
1t is possible for an actor to be so alb
sorbed by the lines of a new play that he
will speak them UneonseiousIy In 'tThe
Toreador" Mr.. Wilson, as Sammy Gig
makes the most hopeless love to the pro-
prietress of flower store and until the
end of the opera endures at her hands con-
tinuous raillery of a very uncomplimen-
tary nature. Sammy submits to it all,
but even his trodden spirit permits him to
reply, like an injured child, Its all right
It's all right"
About an hour after the Monday morn
ing rehearsal a gentleman who walked
along Pennsylvania avenue turned quickly
TO look into a store window and yio-
1ently upset some one who was leaving the
store. In an instant he was ali apologies.
He had nearly thrown 10 the pavement the
genial and kindly Francis Wilson-nnt the
comedian OF THE Merry Monarch" and
The Toreador." but the Francis Wilson
whom Eugene Field knew, a man who Is
kindly, gentle and courteous always
''Oh. L ask your pardon sir" he ex-
claimed I'm afraid I was very awk-
ward
The comedian looked at him vacan1Iy
There was a little smile about his Iips for
minute. Then he made a slight bow and
answered with the Characteristic drawI
which his name invariably suggests to the
patron of comic opera:
oh, It's all Right It's all right
y
The production of Romeo and Juliet at
the Lafayette next week will be under the
personal stage direction of William Red
mund, who became a member of the local
stock company during the past week. Mr..
Recmund received his early training in the
leading stock companies of England where
his ability attracted the attention of Lon
don managers and resulted in his engage
Il
ment 10 DO the leading business at the
Standard Theater, London where he re-
mained for three years. after which hs
shared leading parts with Charles Warner
for three years at the Princess Theater
London 1t was during this period that he
was specially engaged TO appear with Ed
WIZ Booth during that great actors en-
gagement at the English capital. Mr.. Red
mund's first American appearance was &,
Boston. This was followed by a co-s,ar
partnership with Mrs. Thomas Barry
which continued for seven seasons He nex,
toured the country with Alexander SaIvini
for three seasons At the terfaipation -
this engagement the late Augustin Daiv
made him a fattering offer TO join his or
ganizaSion as stage manager. While at
Days he played Mercutio and similar char
acters-
The engagement of Mrs. Thomas Berry
as member of the Bellows Stock Companv
mas materially strengthened that organiza-
tion Of players Mrs Barry's stage career
has been long and successful one. Her
first appearance on the stage was as Prince
Arthur In King John at the old Boston The
ater. A few years later she was leadins,
lady at Woods Museum, Chicago. from
which place, after one season. she returned
10 Hoston and played leading parts at the
Globe Theater for three seasons She filled
her hrst metropolitan engagement at Wal
lacks Theater, but only remained one sea
son. returning TO Boston, where she en-
gagged at the Globe and Boston theaters. at
which latter house she remained until sh.
Joined William Redmund as co-star. Mrs.
Barry spent three years with the Augustin
DAILY Stock Company.
II Is surprising as Well as gratifying to be
brought to keen realization of the loyalty
oe tae public for its stage favorites," said