Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-03

The regular theatrical season, which may
be said to close when the curtain rings
down on the play tonight, has not been
productive of any remarkable achievements.
The fact that it did not last longer may
be taken as an indication that the govern
ing powers have not been successful in pro-
noting enough attractions to fill legiti-
mate demand, for the season could easily
have been extended In a general sense
there has been more notable output of at
fractions which call for lavish expenditure
in stage embellishments and spectacular eff
fects than for the exploitation of dramatic
talent either in the performance or author
ship of plays.
'Under Two Flags" which has had
highly successful week at the New Ma
tional, is one Of the notable successes of
the year. That such a production should
be permitted to rank as example of the
best that the American stage can offer Is a
encouragement. Even the effervescent and
unquenchable animal spirits Of Miss Bates
do not suffice to temper the raw and blus-
tering melodramatic atmosphere Of the
piece. AS is too often the case when that
splendid quality vaguely described as tenn
permanent is present, there is deficiency
of artistic discretion which mars. though
tation Miss Bates jeopardized all the good
impression she had made with more
thoughtful admirers by her silly demon
stration with the horse, after the mountain
scene was revealed, after the end of an act,
in response to a call from the audience.
The purpose of the scene had been fully
and finely carried out. The remembrance
should have been allowed to remain. Tor
player to appear before the curtain is a
sufficient disturbance of an illusion without
reminding the audience that stage rocks
are merely lath and canvas and that actors
have only been reciting what was set down
for them. The horse which Miss Bates
tried to subdue, la Forepaugh- Sells,
refused to be docile. He was entitled to
critical sympathy in the stand he took.
X X
The Academy of Music and Kernan's Ly
ceum had their usual line Of shows and
the usual patronage. The only vivid con-
trast to the ordinary run of theatrical af-
fairs was afforded by the Empire with
minstrel show, which came in from some
where out in the wids and whose only re-
deeming feature was the set of Autographs
In the lobby. People who had paid to see
the performance were known to desert the
auditorium and come down in the lobby to
look at the Autographs. Manager Schlesin-
ger offers no explanation as to how 1t hap
pened
Most of the Empire stock people are out
Of town. Matt Kennedy and Al Cameron
Immediately secured engagements in Bos-
ton. Misses Nichols and Sohlke have a
date in Wilmington for the new sketch
they broke in during the benefit week
X
1t appears probable that the engagement
of Harry Corson Clarke at the Columbia
will drift into one of the more or less ex-
tended seasons of comedy which have en-
tertained the amusement seekers Of this
city in years previous. A list Of comedies
whose popularity is thoroughly established
and whose edge has not been dulled by too
much familiarity Is available, and II the
company continues to grow in favor as it
did last week there is no room for doubt as
to the prosperity of the enterprise.
j. *
The Lafayette closes its stock season next
week. and the policy Of the house will
thenceforth be changed. The company
which Mr.. Bellows will, as usual, conduct
at Denver will have Edmund Lyons as one
of it's members. Mr.. Lyons will put on the
Midsummer Nights Dream and some
other Shakespearean productions.
X X X
The Coliseum, at 14th and East Capitol
streets northeast, with it's capacity of seat
ing 5000 persons, will enter the field of out
door amusements this summer, beginning
the last week in May. 1t was first erected
as the home of base ball. and when that
project was abandoned it was reconstructed
so as to permit of motor cycle and bicycle
races. 1t was so conducted last summer
from May to October, and it drew only the
best element Of outdoor amusement lovers
as no liquor was sold in or near the place
and disOrderly persons were vigorously ex-
cluded. This summer it's policy of amuse-
ments has been enlarged, and Manager Os-
good intends to make it the most popular
outdoor resort around the city.
X X X
Lotue Alter, the: dainty little actress of
Harry Corson Clarkes company, began
her stage career at very tender age, play
ing in juvenile opera company before she
had finished school When she laid aside
her books and. exercise papers Miss Alter
took up theatrical work in earnest. She
appeared firstE in Jarbeau's company, of
which Mr.. Clarke was a conspicuous mem
Der, and sinca then she has played many
and various roles in notable productions
and in support of eminent stars She was
the original Savilla in the famous 1.-THE
Country Circus" which was given an elab-
crate production In New York and ran
there with INCREASING popularity for forty
weeks. In this part Miss Alters superior
attention. She played the pretty. girlish
role Of Dora Woodbhrn in Hearts Are
Trumps." was leading lady with Joseph
hit in the Inflated 10 Have and to Holds''
Miss Alter closed her engagement with
Henrietta Crosman's company in New
York week before she joined Mr.. Clarke
to come to Washington She won the very
highest praise from all the New York
critics for her work as Audrey In Miss
Crosman's presentation Of LAS You Like
It."
X
Two weeks from today will mark the
close of the winter season at Chases The
ater, and on Monday, May 10, the summer
period will be inaugurated. The profitable
experience with the Hoyt comedies last
summer has suggested a similar move this
year. only on a more elaborate scale, and
with the Lederer musical productions as
the attractions. Louise Hepner will proba-
bly, be the prima donna in case this policy
is carried cut. -'
According to the arrangements version of
the affair, Joe WEIGH was practically evict-
ed from the Chase bill last Monday night,
as, to borrow a racing term. he permitted