Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-24
ADJUSTMENTS,

COLUMBIA THEATER.-If the weather
had been made to order it could not have
been more adapted to the requirements of
the new stock company now being presented
by the Columbia. Theater. The audience
was large and friendly, and the perform
ance eminently satisfactory. The play was
Lord Chumley,' a good selection in that 1t
is unfamiliar and presents bright dialogues
and clever clima&es without making very
extraordinary demands on the performers
An Intelligent recitation of the lines OF
Lord Chumley, together with certain
proficiency in the stage business, serve to
make a very agreeable evening S entertain
ment. The spark of genius is not essential
The play has been called 'old fashioned
but there are. many observers of the mod
ern stage who would be disposed to regard
this in its favor, for it possesses a GER
tain thread of legitimate interest which is
wholly absent from the current productions
of hilarious purport. Edwin Arden's task
was a difficult one. AS Lord Chumley he
attempts a second edition of a part upon
which an actor of marked individuality has
stamped his identity. Lord Chumley' was
both good fairy and bette noir to E. H.
Sothern. 1t awoke the public to the fact
that he was one of the cleverest light come
dams of the generation, and it stood a
barrier between him and his more serious
ambitions. Mr. Arden has the satisfaction
of giving an entertaining impersonation
without sacrificing his own personality. His
carcature. He preserves the heroism of
the role finely, and subordnates the comedy
to an extent which keeps him on the safe
side. The company with Mr.. Arden is an
excellent one. The leading lady, western
young woman, named Laura Nelson Hall,
had little opportunity to shine Miss But
terworth, who is at best very passive her
oine. Miss Hall, however. gave abundant
evidence of ability to meet greater exac-
lions as they arose. Thomas Coleman did
dialect part with his usual efficiency. Good
character bits were contributed by Myron
Leffngwell, Elsie Esmond and w. H. Post.
Mr.. Post is entitled to conspicuous credit as
stage manager of the production.
CHASE'S THEATER.-The company pro-
ducing comic opera at Chase's Theater
seems to be endeavoring to fulfill the asser-
ton of the management that full mdwinter
value at the prices demanded by the reg
ular" playhouse is now being given at
summer prices. Another step we'll to the
front has been taken this week, THE
Wizard of the Nile being the offering. 1t
is the vehicle upon which Frank Daniels
journeyed to success several seasons ago,
and judging from the way the opera
greeted by the audiences at Chases yes
terday It's popularity has not waned. Victor
Herbert composed the music and Harry
Smith wrote the book. The melodies are
tuneful and catchy and the lines are bright
Furthermore, the original scenery and cos
tunes have been secured for the present
local presentation, and with ViVacfous Nor
she played with Daniels, everything, 20 say
the least, is satisfactory-that, too without
taking into consideration the serving of ice
cream without cost and the free of
ping-pong tables in the parlors between the
acts. Fred Frear appears as kibosh, the
travelling magician, who, much to his Sur
prise, causes the Nile to rise and thereby
earns title to the hand of Cleopatra, the
beautiful daughter of King Ptolemey.
Frear is thoroughly familiar with the role
and entirely at home as the necromancer,
and, of course, Miss kopp is letter-perfect
as his assistant The other principal roles
are assigned to Edith Hutchins as Cleo
patra, Grafton Baker as Ptarmigan, her
music teacher and William Schuster as
Cheops, the royal weather bureau. The
chorus is thoroughly drilled and sings ex-
ceptionally well, and the work of the aug
mented orchestra is to be credited with a
considerable share of the success of the
production. A verse of the "Starlight
Starbright' topical song which had to do
with the serving of ices and playing of
ping pong in the theater greatly pleased
the auditors. All in all, 1.-The Wizard of
the Nile" at Chase's this week constitutes
most pleasing. evenings or afternoons
diversion.
CONSERVATIVES was good-sized au-
dience at the Coliseum last night to witness
the circus performance and motor cycle
races which had been announced for the
evening. The spectators We're somewhat
disappointed however, by the non-appear-
ance of several Of the performers who had
been delayed on account of washouts on
the railroads. The sensational chute ride
and dive of Daredevil Schreyer'' was also
dispensed with because of the illness of the
performer, and the entertainment of the
evening was provided by VIM. H. Hill and
a motor race.
The high wire act of Mr.. Hill proved en-
tirely satisfactory to the crowd, novel
feature Of his performance consisting of