Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-13
ADJUSTMENTS.

acteristic Francis Wilson audience was as
sembled at the New National Theater last
night to extend renewed assurances OF
Washington's personal esteem as well as
it's appreciation of The Toreador." A
Francis Wilson audience is as distinctive In
it's way as Francis Wilson show. 1t Is
gleefully alert audience; always on the qu1
vive for laugh, and willing sometimes to
accept a somewhat fragile pretext. Things
not essentially comic become humorous be-
cause Mr.. Wilson says or does them. He
indicates by quip or a gesture when 1t Is
time to laugh, and the suggestion Is al
ways accepted as authoritative. AS ne
himself often remarks In his favorite cur
tain speech. his audiences behave beautl-
fully.
The main objection to 1.-The Toreador'' is
that 1t is not new. The public has come to
accept Mr.. Wilson as a producer, and this
particular musical slkit is not so strong that
1t can hold its own with "Erminie." The
Merry Monarch and other productions OF
the more substantial sort, upon which Mr..
Wilson's reputation really rests. But 1t Is
jolly melange, with certain amount OF
story, good blustery but melodious Torea-
dor song for Mr.. Broderick, a dainty flower
song for Christie Macdonald. jovial ditty
in which Joseph Coyne describes how good
everybody is to him. and plenty OF stairs
for Mr.. Wilson to perform upon. AS
staircase actor Mr. Wilson refuses to be
outdone, even by Kyrle Bellew. Aud Mr..
Wilson is not content to pose, sword IN
hand, and let the other people take the
physical risks. He does all the work him
self. William Blaisdell has his old part
of the menagerie man, and is a valuable
contributor.
Mr.. Coyne's performance is one, Of the
legitimate bits of characterization that now
and then stray even into musical comedy"
Even though he has broadened 1t consid-
erably in order, no doubt to keep it in its
proper relationship to the general scheme
of humor, it remains a quiet and highly
commendable bit of humor.
The production is one of the attractions
which honored Washington with first
night peep, and it has fulfilled the favora-
BILE predictions then ventured. The company
remains largely the same, Miriam Law
renee, who gives humorous performance
of the part of Mrs. Hopping" being one
of the new people in the cast. Clara Belle
Jerome plays the volatile Susan"
The decorative features Of THE Torea-
dor" are elaborate and tasteful, and the
chorus this season is numerous and eff
cient.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-That way
Down East still holds a place of unusual
favor with the people, Notwithstanding the
fact that it has been on the boards for sew
eral seasons, was evidenced by enthusiastic
applause at the Columbia Theater last
night The situations and incidents Of the
play are so plausible and true to life that
an audience cannot but feel In sympathy
with the emotions expressed by the real
istic characters on the stage. This is es-
pecially true when the cast is composed OF
capable performers, as was the case last
night. The old-fashioned heart interest OF
the piece which any person Of intelligence
is able to understand and appreciate Is re-
freshing In contrast with the problematic
intricacies presented in many Of the lat
terday theatrical successes. In Way
Down East the auditor knows without an
analysis Of his mental state to whom his
sympathy belongs and it is given with in
stinctive promptings.
Phoebe Davies, to whom the role Of Anna
Moore is intrusted. has been seen in the
part for several years Her performance
last night, and especially her work in the
climax Of the play, was thoroughly credit
able and merited the unstinted approval of
the audience. Archie Boyd, the stern
squire. who lives by the Scriptures gave
role Of David Bartlett was in the capable
hands of Uric b. Collins, whose perform
ance was conscientious and satisfactory.
Marion l.. Shirley was bright and viva
cious Kate Brewster and Frank Currier
made the most of an enjoyable part as the
bug-hunting professor. Robert Gaillard de-
serves worthy mention for his work the
villain of the piece. At no time did he at
tempt to eXaggerate the possibilities of his
part. There was an abundance of fun in
the play and the applause which greeted
the efforts Of the mirth makers should be
gratifying to the several actors responsible
A. Burke, the town constable was in itself
a laughable feature Of the play, and his
performance afforded a great zeal Of the
amusement. John E. Brennan. as Hi Hol-
Ter, Ella Hugh Wood, as the village gossip,
and ]. II. Davis, all contributed their full
share to the amusement Of the audience A
quartz. rendered several agreeable selec-
lions during the piece.
The scenery and the mechanical effects
Of the presentation are particularly worthy
Of notice. The snow storm In the third
act Is one of the most realistic ever seen
in Washington. and the whistlng Of the
wind and flying of the snow were so char
acteristic as to send many SILVER through
the audience. There was a thoroughness
about the production in all it's details that
will be appreciated by the audiences which
view the performance this week.
CHASE'S THEATER.-Chase'sa audiences,
habitually numerous, at both performances
yesterday extended birthday congratula-
lions on the occasion Of the fourth ami
yersary week of polite vaudeville through
the medium Of unstinted applause. Dixon,
Bowers and Dixon, in a Reuben sketch,
devote most Of their energies to supposedly
real back-country dancing that is novel.
The next number is a drsmatization by Au-
gustus Thomas Of Dickens 1.-THE Holly
Tree Inn" AS is well known, the story
deals with the elopement of lad of nine
years with lass two years his junior The
sketch is interesting and amusing, with a
tinge of the pathetic, and gives May Belle
Rae and Blanche Clark, little girls,
chance to display decided cleverness as
child actresses James Richmond Glenroy,
1.-The Man with the Green Gloves" repeats
his very familiar monologue. 'The Mys-
terous Salambos'' have an electrical sketch
that is distinctly odd. They perform GER
tain experiments said to have relation to
wireless telegraphy and otherwise manipu-
late the all-important fluid with a reckless
ness that is startling. Charles Guyer and
Nellie Daily give exhibition Of tough
waltzing in a manner that is almost terrify-
ing in it's abandon. Charley Case, the
fellow who talks about his father" is an
old friend Of Chase audiences. His songs
and sayings never fail to cause the most
hearty laughter. Sam Lockhart's perform
ing elephants are also frequent visitors to
thds city, but their act is always worth see
ing. The final number Of the program is
allotted to the moving pictures which de-
pict scenes in Algiers and are an improve
ment over those of last week.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
The Washington Aerie Of the Fraternal
Order Of Eagles gave benefit entertainment
at the Lafayette last night. The Ward and
Vokes company, which will remain the at
traction for the week, held the stage. A
large and enthusiastic audience was pres
ent.
THE EMPIRE.-The Innocent Maids COM
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