Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-13
ADJUSTMENTS.

eral supposition seems to be that fMeSSen-
ger Boy" Is synonymous with SLOW" in
the extreme meaning of the word. A
marked exception to the general rule in
that connection, however Is the production
of 1.-The Messenger Boy" by Nixon and
Zimmerman's company and the interpreta-
ton Of the title role by Jimmy Powers-or,
as he is now designated, Mr.. James I.
Powers. This musical comedy, which is
an end-of-the-season visitor to the national
capital, Is, In truth, one Of the speediest
theatrical guests of the year. 1t is replete
with action from the initial rise to the
final descent of the curtain. Everybody
and everything-except the curtain-is con-
tinually on the go. And 1t is a merry
whirl. The movement is in progress for
exactly three hours, and during that period
the curtain Is down only a few minutes.
Extreme vigilance last evening was I'M
successful in detecting the slightest drag
dull. Furthermore, THE Messenger Boy
need not take second place to the most
widely advertised beauty show that has
preceded 1t. AS a rule, there are so many
girls on the stage that they nearly crowd
one another, but they are not the kind that
would merely pass in a crowd so far as
looks are concerned Each is of type
calculated to inspire admiration They are
all clever and, it goes without saying,
handsomely gowned. In the fore is Jobyna
Rowland the original Gibson girl.
The Messenger Boy Is not one-star-
and nothing else-production. While Mr.
Powers is the leading fun-maker, he is not
alone in causing laughs and earning ap-
plause. Harry Kelly is a refreshing de-
parture from familiar musical comedy
types. The company Is a big one, intelli-
gently selected and carefully drilled. The
music is plentiful, but not striking.
Unlike the usual run of musical come
dies, THE Messenger Boy" claims to pos
sess plot that is dscernible once in
NH In fhn 80 fhrxyor fi,,Cv fho ,INt-
ton Of an impecunious young gentleman
to marry the daughter of the governor or
Ell Bara, certain financier who Is also in
fatuated with the young woman dis
patches district messenger boy to Egypt
to deliver to the father a certificate show
Ing that the favored sutton Is heavily in
debt. The daughter also starts hurriedly
for the region Of the Nile. After the mes
senger has departed the financer discov-
ers that he has inclosed in his letter the
wrong certificate. The several attempts to
reach Egypt ahead Of the messenger boy
and the determination Of the latter not to
be delayed furnish the ground work for
countless amusing incidents and effective
stage settings. The merit Of the production
lies rather in the manner Of doing 1t than
in any intrinsic worth Of dialogue, verse
or music.
Conspicuous in the company Is May Rob
son, who, as Mrs. Bang, the mother OF the
messenger, handles a character part in an
artistic manner. Harry Kelly and John z.
have an opportunity for display Of orig
1nality. Tom Hadaway Is German
Psychologist and George De Long an &C.
centric French count. John B. Park, who
was in the musical company at the Column
bia year or so ago, has prominent part.
Flora Isabelle and Rachel Booth have con-
siderable to do. Mr.. Powers appears in
messenger uniform in sailor costume, as
bowling dervish and as a mummy. Chorus
es, songs and dances follow one another so
rapidly that the plot experiences consid-
BILE difficulty IN working it's way to the
customary satisfactory and happy-all-
around conclusion.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-The summer
season at the Columbia Theater opened
last night under exceptionally favorable
circumstances. An excellent company,
whose members demonstrated their capa-
bility to do good work. presented George
Home" successfully. 1t is a comedy of
several seasons vintage, but in the hands
of Mr.. Clarke's company is made to retain
its sparkle. Popular prices have been in
augurated at the Columbia, another accept
able feature Of the summer season.
Mr.. Harry Corson Clarke added to the
exhibitions of versatility he has given in
the several roles assumed by him since COM
night, as Lavinia Daily, the cook lady,
Queen Of the Holland Danes of House
working Girls and Secretary of the Cook
Ladies Union," he made a hit with the
ouuicACc. lac II olc easily temp
tation forr burlesque and OVERRIDING, but
Mr.. Clarke keeps within the limits of
genuine humor and delicate farce.
This play does not permit the star to
monopoliZe the attention Of the audience
however. 1t might almost be called an all
star play, as presented by the excellent
company this week, for the work of sew
eral members Of the company was on
thor has provided for the contingency Of
good support for the star, and in this case
would find his forethought taken into &C
count by Mr.. Clarke.
why Smith Left Home is explained In
the last act, but before the reason is stated
Smith goes through a series Of tribulations
He is not alone, however; all other men,
bers Of the household have troubles of their
own.
Florence Robinson. as Mrs. Blletdoux;
Lottie Alter, as Julia, the touchingly clever
maid: Helen Ware, as Mrs. John Smith,
and Louise Bryant as Louise Smith, were
given the principal feminine parts, in which
they all acquitted themselves creditably.
Harry Hockey, as General Billetdoux,
and John Wesley, as Count Won Guggen-
helm, held the principal comedy roles In
should be given toeboth Earle Ryder, as
John Smith, gave an acceptable perform
ance within the limitations set by the au-
thor. He Is a new member Of the company,
but promises to be a welcome addition.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-"Joan Of Arc"
playing at the Academy this week, Is a
purely Washingtonian enterprise, and met
with reception last night that must have
been intensely gratifying to the proprietors
and prom oters. The Academy was filled
with one Of its typical, bubbling-over audi
ences and enthusiasm ran rampant When
the villain said Leave the girl to me, 1
am young and handsome" the storm Of dis
approval that burst upon him made the fell
low vince perceptibly.
There was disappointment written on
every face, however as the playgoers de-
parted. They had no fault to find with the
acting or the production in any particular
the trouble was the story did not end the
way they would liked to have had 1t. One
young fellow expressed the feelings of all
It's shame they didn't leave Joan sitting
in the parlor talking to her lover The
burning scene created a very deep impress
sion; SO deep, in fact, that the transporta-
ton of Joan's soul to heaven by two i'm
mense pasteboard angels did not suffice to
remove the sorrow.
This presentation Of Joan Of Arc was In
spired by the wonderfully ingenious inven-
ton of Morgan Sherwood who has been so
long connected with the stage forces of the
National Theater. Mr.. Sherwood has de-
vised a scene which easily eclipses anything
of the kind heretofore attempted behind the
footlights and the flames which leap from