Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-23

produce mental Fatigue in keeping up with
IT. The main characteristic Of the play is
Its unassuming natmalness. 1t Is less bu-
collie than some Of It's contemporaries. The
dialogue is bright It times and a vein Of
simple humor frunsSithrough 1t. Dramatic
strength Is not hacking, either. and some Of
the scenes In which the stubborn and re-
vengeful old fatnerfholds the center of the
stage raise the play above the level Of the
ordinary pastoral hhcolic comedy.
The company - strong. There Is the fash
OF reminder q same of Sol Smith Rus
sells characters IN The role Of Myra Cooper,
the organlst, which is taken by Ray L.
Royce Mr.. Reyceyseems to have studied
Mr.. Russell with some attention. In con-
trast with the gentls, amiable and affection
ate disposition q the old organist is Simon
Peter Martin, 'Hhs heaviest taxpayer in
Martinsville." This character is played by
James Lackaye. His Washington friends
were delighted with his work last night.
the character Ia not a gracious one. but Mr..
Lackaye gives 1t all the attributes Of harsh
ness and vindictiveness which the author
intended. In the closing scene, when the
demands of the public upon the play
wrights license calls for a complete revolu-
ton In the old mans nature. in order to
make the play end WELL everybody getting
married and living In peace forever after
ward, Mr.. Lackaye with fine dfscrimina-
ton shows how it's possible to change the
habits OF aflifetime in one moment
i CHASFS TTLEATER.-A bill Of excellent
quality and diversified in character is the
Offering for Christmas week at Chase's The
alter. Though disclosing nothing sensation
all the program is an evenly balanced one,
ana being made up of comedy acts. Is ap-
proprfate to the gladstone Christmas time.
Inc week opened with two good houses yes
terday' and, judging from the applause ac-
corded the various numbers, Mr. Chase will
have prosperous week. Susanne Leonard,
featured as Lillian Russelrs sister," and
owen Westford have the headline honors.
Tney are newcomers to vaudeville and have
selected as their vehicle a musical comedy
entitled 1.-THE Understudy.' There is good
material In the piece, but both performers
lack singing voices. The Electrically wise
people will especially enjoy the words Of the
song satirizing the pretensions Of minor
show folk. Mr.. and Mrs. Alfred Kelley Of
fered their old ''Uncle Phineas' farce, and.
although given at this house last season,
scored the hit Of the bill. Gertrude Mans
field and Caryl Wilbur presented a. new
comedy which proved to be hilariously
funny. This clever pair are prime favorites
In Washington and never disappoint. The
dancing Of Lizzie and Wine Daily won for
them several encores, and the singing of
received. George w. Day. in his nonsense
stories and parodies, brought out many
laughs. The performance was brought to a
close by Techow's cats, group of wonder
fully clever animals.
ACADEMY.-Owen Davis has provided a
number of popular attractions which have
amused and interested the public, and his
comedy drama, Her Marriage Vow" is no
exception to the rule. Its pathos moves the
sympathies, while the comedy interspersed
throughout the piece serves to brighten the
intervals between thrilling climaxes. The
characters are all taken from railroad life
In the third act railroad crossing is shown
with the hero on guard at the switch, and
things are made interesting when he is
bound to a chair by the tool Of the villain,
who seeks to cause q wreck by turning the
switch and allowing two trains to come
together He is rescued from his perlous
position at the proper time and turns the
switch which prevents wreck, and two
trains pass each other at rapid rate of
speed. each on IS separate tracks Henry
Buckler enacts the role Of Dafry Dan, a
village personags who is looked upon as
being unresponsibleifor his actions, and his
clever work wasefnteresting at all times.
X E r N NJ s z LYCEUM-Lawrence
Webers Parisian Widows are this weeks
attrac tton at Kerran's Lyceum Theater,
opening to two gbig audiences yesterday.
Bert Leslie. thee well-known comedian, is
the star Of the company and was given
hearty reception when he made his appear
In It,