Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07
ADJUSTMENTS.

| dulled by reports that the play had met
with some disapproval in London, and the
assemblage last night was obviously inf1u-
| enced more by the previous successes OF MI
/ Game and Miss Allen than by the reports
of trans-continental opinion. Moreover the
comforting assurance was offered that LOT
| the American production the character OF
Donna Roma had been secured until 1t
showed no blemish The tragic denouement
was also Topped off and a happy conciu-
son offered in its place. Donna roma: as
| played by Miss Allen, proved distinct
credit to Liebler e. Co. S dramatic reforma-
| tory, for the actress made her charming
| lady, who thoroughly deserved to settle
down with the man of her choice and live
happily ever after. Indeed, there were
| times when it seemed harsh that Mr.. Hail
/ Gaines determination to write a play, ana
Messrs Liebler & Co.'S contract to produce
| it, should have made it necessary to drag
| her existence through SO many distressing
| incidents. So good and gracious a heroine
should not be compelled to resort to teie-
phonic trickery with a super-1dlotc ponce
| force and ater on, even to firearms, in or
der to maintain the melodramatic purposes
| of the management.
| THE Eternal City, is distinctly a melo
! drama. 1t does not assume as high liter
| airy artistic plane did The Chris
| tian,' for in that play the action was in
| spired by high, moral motives, while in the
| present venture the chief considerations are
| those of physical safety. Mr.. Game, instead
of developing the qualities which compelled
recognition for The Christian has en-
/
| the critics grounds for dissenting from the
| popular verdict.
| The play is produced with that wealth Of
| stage garnture now demanded in any pro-
| duction designed to meet metropolitan de-
| mand. Scenicaly 1t is an admirable
| achievement. The cast, too, is one which
| insures an Interesting performance. The
| character of Baron Boneii is plausible and
| consistent; and Mr.. De Bellevile never al
lows its dignity to relapse-not even when
| the dramatist thrusts a cleaning revolver
into his well-gloved fist. The incongrnty
| of making a polished diplomat like Baron
| Bonelli stalk about the stage threatening
| young man with six-shooter was lost be-
cause of the splendid discretion with which
| Mr.. de Belleville bore himself His per-
| Torrance is irreproachable. Mr.. Morgan
| has the role of ranting young demagogue,
| one which presented numerous and serious
| difficulties. The applause accorded him last
| night left no doubt of the esteem in which
| he is held. Some remarkably fine acting
was done by w. E. Bonney, who played
| the part of Bruno Rocco. whose devotion to
| the anti-government doctrines of the hero
brings him into conflict with the authori-
| ties. His suicide in the court room won
| him such applause as to make him unGues-
| tionabiy the hero of the episode despite
| Miss Aliens terrific rush for the center of
! the sta ge at the critical juncture.
| e. M. Holland had most difficult task In
| representing character designated as His
| Holiness Plus k The propriety of intro
| ducing this character the stage in
| melodrama may be, and probably will be-
| seriously questioned. Leaving out of con-
| sideration any religious sentiment in the
| matter. the artistic warrant for this bold
| procedure must be seriously doubted. So
majestic figure should do and say ajcstic
| things, and not be portrayed, as in this play,
as the mere victim of intrigue. Mr.. Game
| has plunged intrepidly into politics and re-
| ligion. and the success of the play may de-
! pend on whether it is dismissed with indif-
| ference or accorded controversial considera-
| ton. THE Eternal City, does not realize
| -, t. q
gestions of it's sonorous title. Yet it COM
| pels interest and its production serves to
present some splendid acting.
The incidental music by Mascagni was
heard with interest. The composer has not
made the same concessions to popular ap-
| probation that the dramatist has seen fit
offer.
In order to accommodate the extraordi-
nary demands for seats for The Eternal
City" the management has decided to give
special performance on Friday afternoon
at 2 o'clock. The curtain will rise tonight
at O'Clock.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-Foxy Grandpa
and the two sprightly. mischievous lads
who think he is wonder" appeared be-
fore capacity audience last EVENING" at
the Columbia Theater For nearly three
hours Grub and Bunt the grandsons
frisked and frolicked with the agile old gen
tieman, to the great delight of the folks on
the other side of the footlights. The ha Bit
ual local theater-goer was missed last even
ing. His absence was not SO much due to
the fact that Foxy Grandpa" was visitor
TO the national capital last season as to the
presence OF the many strangers who crowded
the playhouse to enjoy the opportunity of OBJ
serving these popular characters indulgiug
In pranks, amid appropriate scenic sur
roundlngs. The conditions within the thea
ter reached the standing room only point
and, furthermore, everybody seemed to get
MS moneys worth. The production is
crowded with jollty and bright music. and
is Clean and wholesome tbr0upbont
Hart. in the title role, is clever and I'M
usually versatile. He Is not only a fun
maker, but singer, dancer and a ban
Jolst. George Mack and Bobbie Barry fill
the roles of the wide-awake grandsons.
John McVeigh displays ability in the sing
ing and dancing line, while John T. Ray
and CHARLES II. Bates are well fitted for
eccentric work. Carrie De Mar is the lead
ing lady, and she never for a moment lags
In maintaining the pace. Florence c. Wor-
den and Euia c. Jordan are pleasing in
every, way. A large chorus of pretty girls
and talented men assist in the entertain
ment.
LAFAYETTE OPERA HOJSE-"Rrsy
Icy, the attraction at the LAFAYETTE this
week, is certainly very entertaining show.
or else the large audience that witnessed its
presentation last night was hypnotized IT
isn't musical comedy by any means, but
then the managers don't claim even that
much dignity for it. 1t is just a bundle of
nonsense, and in unwrapping the bundle
Hdily luHHy lie" anu Olu jokes, clever r
odies, popular songs choruses dances etc
roll out on the stage with a lavishness that
gave every form of taste an opportunity to
make a selection. The jokes are all of the
touch-and-go variety that require little If
any mental effort to follow, and some of
them very funny. When the PLAYERS
tire of jokes some one says, That reminds
| me-" and the leader of the orchestra is
tipped the signal to strike up the band.
The chorus is composed of brisk young
women, who sing and dance very we'll and
show a profusion of shapeliness rather
decorously If person wants mental re-
Taxation and fun thrown in Busy Icy" is
the medicine with the genuine label Geo.
Sidney as Izzy Mark heads the merrymak-
ers and he is funny to the superlative de-
gree at times. He talks and the audience
laughs. Edward Clark, the nimble elevator
and bell boy, isn't bad at all, and Fred Wy
coff, who plays the stage farmer, is usually
in at the killing. Ed Gilmore also does
| some funny business. Among the women
Amy Fanchonetti. who Is known here as
one of three sisters, all clever dancers does
| some dainty steps satisfactorily. and Maud
| Campbell scores in several ballads, which
are sung with real good contralto voice.
| The song ION Daddy's Back serves to IN
| troduce a novel feature that first bewilders
| and then tickles the audience.