Evening star., 1902-01-11

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1t was captious playgoer who could not
find something to his liking in the offerings
of the week which closes tonight. The Bos-
tonians returned to the author and COM
poser of their greatest success, Robin
Hood and presented an opera which
ranks. musicaIly, as one of the best things
the public has seen in long time. Harry
B. Smiths most conspicuous quality is
adaptability- His work in robin Hood
showed how we'll ne can catch the feeling
of a purely lyric and idyllic environment
and he has been conspicuously expert in
producing farcical pieces. In Maid Ma
rian'' he has attempted to put his Pegasus
through all his PAGES at once. 1t is a
Hbretto OF the steeplechase variety, now
proceeding along the level turf of conven-
tional romance, and next making a peril
Gus comedy jump. The difficulty seems to
lie principally in the determination to make
H. C. Barnabee comedian Of the current
musical farce type; and the atmosphere of
the piece does not call for that kind Of a
comedian.
Mr.. De Koven's appearance as leader of
the orchestra gave especial interest to the
opening performance of the Maid Marian
engagement. 1t would no doubt be agree
able to Washington musicians to feel that
his reference to himself as one of the local
populace had more significance than that
of senni-pleasantry. II so prominent and
accomplished a musician as Mr.. De Koven
could in some way identify himself with
local music, 1t would do much toward max
ing Washington the musical center, which,
as the capital of the nation, 1t ought to be.
Stuart Robson's production of THE Hen
rietta" was one of the most satisfactory re-
viyals seen in many a season. The play
wears wonderfully well; 1t is as perennially
youthful as the star himself Mr.. Robsons
announcement on Monday night that it was
the fftieth anniversary of his first appear
ance on the stage came as something of a
shock to his admirers 1t was almost i'm
possible to believe that BERTHE the Lamb
that incarnation of gilded adolescence, had
passed the half century mark. There was
a suspicion that he was counting from the
time when he was carried behind the foot
lights as a child in arms 1t will be some
thing more of a surprise to learn that Mr..
Robson unblushingly declares himself
sixty-five years of age. There has been no
more remarkable example of a veteran in
youthful roles since Dion Boucicault In the
ripest years of his art so charmed his audi
ences as Con the Shaughran." Mr.. Rob-
son in casual conversation settled a point
which threatened to get into the debating
societies. For some reason it has become
an almost universal practice in this city to
pronounce his name as IL 1t were spelled
Robe He pronounces 1t with the 90
short. Rob- says ne. spells Rob-
Mr.. Robson was at one time a page in
the House Of Representatives He thought
that during his engagement here 1t would
be pleasant to have the pages as his guests
at a performance of The Henrietta In
vitations were issued and promptly ac-
20 cepted.
I'VE win set aside a box for them," he
announced
But, Mr.. Robson" said one Of his busi-
ness staff, 'one box will not accommodate
them
That's true. 1 hadn't considered how
this country has been growing since I was
there. Make arrangements for all Of them.
They are little chaps and won't take a
great deal of room.''
After the Invitation had been sent to the
Capitol man robust and mature present
ed himself to discuss the arrangements for
the little chaps" He prefaced his re-
marks by the announcement that he, was
the head page 1t will require more seat
ing capacity than that Of all the boxes to
accommodate the pages, who are to be Mr..
Robson's guests tonight for old times
sake.
The revival OF Romeo and Juliet" by
the stock company at the Lafayette proved
by no means so hazardous an experiment
as some OF the idolators OF Shakespeare
feared 1t would be. 1t was encouraging to
find SO genuine popular interest in the
play, despite the efforts OF polysyllabic
commentators to inspire a reverence for
Shakespeare that Is akin to terror. The
audience sympathized in the modest yet
determined efforts of Juliet to win the
husband Of her choice, and laughed at the
whimsical humor Of the play without fear
or sacriege. Miss Lawrence played Juliet
with girlfsh sweetness and yet with
dramatic power. She Is a highly intelIi-
gent reader. 1t was a sympathetic and
loyable Juliet. and yet now and then there
was relapse in moments of comparative
inaction into a certain cold, calm. fndt-
viduai hauteur. The auditor was reminded
that he was not beholding Juliet herself.
but lady Of superior intelligence. who
had the students capacity to comprehend
the role. and the art to portray ii. Miss
Lawrence Is from Boston Perhaps that ia
why this impression of mental superiority
asserts itself.