Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-20
CONGRATULATIONS
National Theater.

Monday evening the National Theater will
nave as an attraction the musical extrava-
ganza, The Defender This Is a brand
new snow for local theatergoers. 1t is A.
II. Chamberlyn's latest production, having
nad IT'S original presentation at the Column
ola Iheater In Boston and being first shown
on Broadway month later at the Herald
square Iheater, where 1t has just conclud-
ed a two-months' engagement. In both
cities the piece has met with the most IA
VoraDle OF receptions and with so clever
pook' such catchy musical numbers and the
superior cast of principals and gorgeous
productlon, the extravaganza should con-
tlnue TO add to its series of triumphs. The
npretto and most Of the lyrics were written
py Allen Lowe, a Boston newspaper man,
ana the music was composed by Charles
Dennee, VINO had already furnished two
good hight musical scores for the stage.
Mr.. Lowe in his plot treats the incidents
OF the last International yacht race in a
good-humored. satirical manner and for
a bit Of by-pay has introduced as one Of
the prominent characters a Mrs. Jack Or
chard, who is supposed to be a woman of
social position. whose prime effort in life
Is TO exploit series of startling fads be-
lore an admiring and astounded public
SIR Ihomas Teaton. the central figure Of the
Story Is an English baronet, who comes
Yankee craft THE Defender" in the con-
test for the Americas cup. His boat is
heavily backed to win the race by an En-
gilsn syndicate of which Ivory D. Queers,
a wealthy soap manufacturer is the rep
resentative, and it is the Matching of and
attempted execution of a plot by Queers to
sink the Amsrican yacht that forms the
slender threadIthat' gives the extravaganza
a connected story. with the countless anus
ing situationsithat occur in the three acts,
make the story subordinate to the drolleries
of the comedians
Alexander Clark impersonates Sam Keno
OF the London music halls. who fees his
native country to escape Imprisonment for
deot; cara LAvine is jolly Jellie Canvas
or the circus pursuing one Queers, whom
she wants imprisoned for breach of prom
Use; CHARLES Wayne is a maudlin sleuth;
Katherine Warren as Milie Canvas has
unique character, which she cleverly por-
trays. Gilbert Clayton assumes the role
of Queers. and Gorrfon Tompkins furnishes
a laughable bit as-Itan Kuff, gruf bossun.
VIII A. Armstrong plays the part of Tea
ton, and with Lolita Faust as Hilda Ship
man, Edith Eldridge as Wnsome Chase.
and Richie Ling as Charles Dare, some
dainty love interest is given to the story
Emma Carus is the Mrs. Jack Orchard and
Maym Kelsc the Mrs. Evelyn Chase who
has social aspirations and marriageable
daughters. The stage pictures are said to
be some of the best that have been placed
view in musical comedy and a sight Of
geous costuming Of the entire organization
will convince the skeptcs that Manager
Chamberlyn does not in the least exagge-
rate the cost of his production when he saws
he expended $4,000 upon 1t before the cur
tain was raised on the first performance
The first act shows the club house, piers
and the waterfront of one Of the New York
yacht clubs stations: the second act is
on board the yacht Hibernia and the re-
production is perfect in all of the necessary
nautical details; the last act shows a villa
at Newport and liberal view Of the artis-
tically -decorated grounds which surround
the summer homes Of multi-millionaires
The color scheme throughout the piece has
been splendidly carried out and from the
rise of the curtain to the gorgeous confetti
finale there are a series of thoroughly eye
pleasing groupings and figures Matinees
are announced for Wednesday and Sat
urday. The curtain will rise promptly at
8 o'clock every evening of the coming week,
owing to the length Of the performance.