Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-04
ADJUSTMENTS.

has figured might have been called Louis
Mann in the Telephone Exchange" Louis
Mann In diplomacy, but 1t is wholly ana
racks" Louis Mann Among the Country
Folk and so on. This time 1t is Louis
Mann in diplomacy, but 1t Is whooy and
emphatically Louis Mann. The idea OF
"Hoch, the Consul is a very ingenious one.
So great do the possibilities of the piece
seem, once the career of this self-appointed
dictator Is set in motion that 1t Is hard to
understand at the end of the play how some
Of the scenes escaped being funnier The
author starts out by discrediting his own
work when he lays the scene In mythical
kingdom. Mythical kingdoms do very well
for categorical purposes but the popular
taste is for real flesh and blood. Stage ilu-
sions are difficult enough to tax the re-
sources OF the average playwright without
his voluntarily taking a handicap. With
its court fnery, its extraVagances of Incl
dent and Mr. Mann's continuous splutter OF
absurdities, the piece seems like musical
comedy minus the music.
Yet the idea Is undeniably clever, and the
situations In which Louis Mann (alias
Hoch) finds himself are distinctly novel.
The stars mannerisms are amusing as OF
yore. and his familiar stock of phrases is
employed to mirthful purpose. 1t would
have been better if he had invented some
thing new for this season.
The supporting company Is not as strong
as the proper portrayal of the incidents
whlch go TO make up the real plot Oh the
piece demand Eugene Hayden has re-
sponsible role, which she plays acceptably,
and Walter Greene deserves some credit
for his manner of meeting the exactions OF
the part of the prince. Guy Coombs,
Washington man, appears in the company
and plays a part which, while not espe-
cialy conspicuous, serves to demonstrate
that he has profited by experience and Is
developing substantial ability.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-The indications
are that the strains of Tell Me, Pretty
Maiden with the graceful gyrations Of
the maidens, who are always pretty, and
of the gentle strangers" who, on the oc-
casion of the present visit here of "Floro-
DORA" are appropriately stalwart, will
never wane in popularity. or course
Under the Shade of the Palms" II Want
to Be a Military Man and the others
equally familiar have a firm hold on the
whistlng public, but there is no gainsaying
the fact that the Tell Me, Pretty Maiden"
double seXtet remains the distinctive hit OF
the tuneful musical comedy. "Florodora"
has been produced In this city twice before,
and, was due old friend, tried and
true, was accorded the heartiest of greet
ings on it's return to the Columbia Theater
last evening. The big audience beyond
question enjoyed the performance as thor
oughly as though the generally well-known
work was being produced for the first time
Several of the members of the large COM
pany were seen and heard during the for
mer local engagements. W. P. Carleton
continues as Frank Abercoed. Although
quite i'll last evening, Mr.. Carleton man
aged to fulfill his duties until the first
scene of the second act, when he found 1t
necessary to discontinue his efforts. r. E.
Graham remains as Gilfain, proprietor of
Florodora. Donald Byrne is cast as Arthur
Donegal, Philip II. Ryley as Tweedlepunch,
Helen Redmond as Dolores, Edna Hunt as
Angela Gilfain and Grace Dudley as Lady
Hollywood. All handle their parts In q man
ner that does not permit of yearning by the
audience for their predecessors. The pro-
duction is mounted in the usual satisfactory
manner.
LAFAYETTE OPERA HOUSE.-Notwith-
standing the fact that "Fiddle-Dee-Dee''
has been seen in Washington several times
In the last few years, yet its presentation
at the Lafayette Theater last night was re-
ceived with an abundance of enthusiasm by
a crowded house, an evidence of the popu-
larity of the piece and of those VINO pre-
scented it. From the moment that Rice and
Cady stepped on the stage in their charac-
teristic German makeup, similar to that
of Weber & Field, the audience was kept
in almost constant laughter. They had 10
difficulty in establishing themselves in high
favor with the audience fun makers.
Bobby North was a worthy accessory In
the fun-making- and John G. Sparks made
an excellent Ignatius McSorley. The widow.
who longed to do something startling, was
played by Henrietta Lee, who sang and
acted in an acceptible manner. Dorothy
Drew rendered several pleasing songs and
was enthusiastically approved in the Rosey
Posey" song. Charles P. Morrison, as Hoff-
man Barr, was thoroughly at home in the
part.
The second part Of the piece was given to
travesties on Gay Lord Quex," the Floro-
dora Sextette, and "A Royal Family The
original Newsboys' Quintette sang its way
into the hearts of the audience and was re-
peatedly recalled The Cardownie Sisters in
national dances also met with great favor.
The Offering at the Lafayette this week is
one of the most pleasing that has been seen
at that theater this season. The principals
in the piece are amusing and the chorus
sings and dances with considerable spirit.
CHASES NEW GRAND.-Eva Williams
and JAG Tucker divide the head line" hon.
ors with the Russell Brothers at Chase's
this week, in "Drlftwood," sequel to
"Skinny's Finish, their success of past
seasons. The character and dialect work
of Miss Williams is excellent. The piece is
a little Charles Dickens-ish picture of cour-
age amid poverty, with snow and Christmas
bells a background. BY way of relieving
the pathos of the sketch, Mr. Tucker in
PRODUCES illustrated parodes on nursery
rhymes, which are highly amusing The
Russell Brothers stick to their last season 8
successor to the Irish Servant Girls and the
audience Endorsed their judgment. Edi III
Helena, with a voice of phenomenal range
gave an interesting imitation of violin
music, reaching high c. and sang several
songs pieaSl0Sly. ms young woman is q
genuine vocal phenomenon, and her singing
is pleasing as well as remarkable. Fitzgib-
bon Mccoy and FitZgibbon gave laugha-
BILE sketch entitled "A Mischiepous Broth
err Lew Bloom, the original tramp come
dian in a good makeup, made some old
jokes and some new ones go with a rush
Les Frasettis with violin, harp and xylo-
phones, played high class music, which was
well received, and the Gebest Sisters. IN
songs and dances. and Rlocksome and Burns
black a
bill of generally consistent quality.
performance tonight, and election returns
VIII be read from the stage
ACADEMY.-The Royal Liliputians in
musical comedy called I'm Posterland'
takes the place of the usual melodra,nat TIC
Offering at this playhouse this week ant
the audience last night which was kept II
a state of laughter from the rise OF tn.
| first curtain until the fall of the last, seemed
| to enjoy the change. The attraction 4:
served UP in three acts and is much the
same as when seen here last season. The
] cast contains artists of all Sizes from dim
lnutiVe lnez Lewis, who Is thirty-one inche.
| tall, to b. F. Kelly, who is seven feet sever
inches In height, to say nothing of the tive
! small ponies and bull dog who also came
| In for share of applause. The attraction
| is handsomely costumed and the stage ef
| fects are of a high order and is 4 success
| as an entertainment for children while 4
also pleased the older people in the audience
A well drilled chorus of twenty in addition
| to supporting the I4iliputians executed sew
| eral clever stage pictures. Major James D