Evening star., 1902-02-05

none the less. problem play. but the prob
lem involved Is the struggle between capi-
tai and labor The late Henry c. De Mile,
who collaborated with David Belasco in
writing The Wife and THE Charity
Ball." used to declare that he himself al
ways found 1t difficult to classify the play.
1t contains all of the robust action which
characterizes melodramatic efforts, but
there Is such strong comedy vein that 1t
edy. More than this, 1t affords the scenic
artist almost unlimited opportunities for
pictorial realism. The great mill scene,
where the throbbing of the engines and the
poundings of the great trip-hammers are
made part Of the strong dramatic story,
are reproduced in the most realistic fash
ion.
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS."-
The latest pastoral success, "The Night
Before Christmas, will be presented to
Washington audiences at the Academy next
week, beginning Monday evening. This
play is wholesome story of village life in
Ohio. 1t has the merit of being at all times
interesting, giving scope for comedy and
pathos on broadly defined lines. In the
opening festivities at the old Phillips farm
house the neighbors come focking in to
join in the Christmas jollity, cookies and
cider are passed around, the amusing vii
lage quartet does it's best to entertain and
the simple style of country making car
r1es the spectator back to the happy days
of childhood when Christmas was the great
day of all days in the entire year. The
presenting company numbers nearly thirty
people and is said to be of exceptional
strength.
POLITE VAUDEVILLE polite
vaudeville bill next week will contain
Thomas j. Ryan and Mary Richfield,
O'Brien and Havel. La Neva. Lefebre's
Saxaphone Quartet, Hacker and Lester,
Hines and Remington, Caroline Hull, and
Lee and Kingston Mr.. Ryan and Miss
Richfeld have a comedy that is called
Mag Hagerty's Father" and the author Is
Mr.. win NJ Cressy, the vaudeville charac-
ter comedian of "Grasping an Opportuni-
ty'' fame. Mr. O'Brien is a diminutive
comedian Of the Johnny Page type and
Miss Havel Is attractive physically, clever
singer and graceful dancer. La Neva,
THE Maid in the Moon, is the most re-
cent European novelty dancer, whose act
is full Of wonderful electrical effects 1t is
IN n,,t,i four parts "Danse Historic" "Danse
Promenade de Champagne" Lefebre's
Saxaphone Quartet is directed by Ed. Le-
febre the world-renowned saxaphonist,
long with Gilmore's Band and later with
Sousa.
NEW YORK sTARs."-The attraction
for next week at the Lyceum Theater will
be Bob Manchester's New York Stars a
high-class vaudeville and burlesque COM
pany. There will be the customary open
Ing and closing burlesques, called, respect
"A
In which will be heard many Of the new
songs of the year, and which will display
an array of chorus young women who are
described as both beautiful and talented
Ihe scenery is elaborate, while many
claims are made for the richness Of the
costumes. The olio will introduce Burke
and McEvoy. McIntire and Rice, Carlin
and Brown; Carmen and Brown, Miss Ada
Burns and Belle Hathaway's monster
troupe of trained baboons and MONKEYS
AS an extra attra ction Manager Herman
has engaged Tom Jenkins, The Worlds
Champion Wrestler" to appear at every
performance during the engagement of the
New York stars. Jenkins has issued a
challenSe to all corners, and promises 500
to any man who stays with him fifteen min
utes without a fall.
BURLESQUE AT THE BIJOU,-The visit
or Prince Henry Of Prussia to this country
Will be made the subject of what is expect
ed to prove an uproarously funny bur-
lesque at the Bijou Theater next week
Inc large and handsome contingent Of
young ys,og women, who are popularly known as
the B1Jou bunch,' will act as the royaI
retlnue. In addition there will be the Gus
tomary quota of musical selections con-
tributed by the members of the company
The vaudeville portion of the program holds
out more than ordinary promise. It Is an
ail-round bill of excellent features and will
be headed by Barney Ferguson and Wfll
Mack, two Irish comedians who are rec
ognized leaders in their class and who on
the occasion Of their visit to the Biiou will
present new sketch. Rowe and DoyIe.
two of the most expert dancers of the
American stage, will be seen In a terpsi-
chorean speciality. Kate Allen Fox the
Four Nelson Comiques, Charles Baguley
ana Lorraine Armour will also be seen in
the ol1o. Manager Schlesinger has made
special arrangements for the ladies' matt
nee Friday afternoon of this week, on which
occasion souvenirs will be presented to
every lady attending the performance and
smoking will be prohibited.
THE SCOTTI CONCERT.-The concert TO
be given by Signor Scott, the great BARI
tone of the Metropolitan Opera House Com
pany, at the Columbia Theater, Friday
afternoon the 18th instant has already ex-
cited considerable interest In musical cir
Gle The sale of seats commenced yester-
day and already a large number have
been secured. Signor Scotti will be assisted
by Franz Wilczek, vioiinist. This is the
first time that Signor Scotti has been an
nounced here in concert, and his program
Will be selected to display his voice to the
best advantage. Those who heard him in
opera anticipate much pleasure in his con-
cert work.
"STIAKESPEARE AND THE DRAMA" :"
On Friday afternoon Prof. P J. Duggan
will repeat his lecture entitled Shakes
peare and the Drama" at the Columbia
Theater Musical selections by well-known
artists will add to the attractions Of the
program