Evening star., 1903-07-11

The last vestige of theatrical entertain
ment Is swept away on the bosom OF the
warm wave. Kernan's Lyceum Iheater
had 1.-The Black Crook" underlined as the
attraction for the current week. but decideu
to abandon the field wholly to the La1ay-
cite. the same management being interested
in both houses. The little singing company
at that theater was doing its best, and It's
best was a times decidedly clever, to make
up for some of the most erratic manage
ment that Washington has ever witnessed
II had been originally intended to close the
theater when the Berger stock season
ended But young man named dllieh
who said he had musical comedy company
somewhere down south wanted to come into
Washington. Mr.. Stair or Mr.. Herman or
Mr. Rife. or whoever it is that definitely
controls the destinies OF the Lafayette. had
doubts. but when young Gffen produced an
immense roll of money all hesitation was
removed. Mr. Giffen was made welcome.
He was allowed to stay and put his name
in large type all over the side OF the La
fayette Theater, in full view Of the White
House and the Treasury Department
President Roosevelt. Secretary Hay and
Senator Hanna. who live In the neighbor-
hood but did not go to the show, were
humble and obscure personages compared
to Giffen.
Mr.. Stairs young man in Washington.
Mr.. LaMotte, who came from Portlano'
Me-. was dazzled Mr. GifYen had him at
work writing passes in no time. The COM
pany was unknown. and the theater must
be filled for at least a few performances.
1t Is related that LaMotte toiled as did
D. ctv lxoQ
of the pen per hour, and Giffen standing
by keeping him relentlessly UP to speed.
Anyhow. 1t was a deadhead holiday. Man
ayers at the other theaters stood aghast.
What was the excuse for people paying
money to go to a show when here was
such lavish hospitality Passes to the La
fayette fell like snowfakcs on Pixies
Peak. They drifted even into the hands
of rival managers, so superabundantly
were they bestowed. The town was bill
boarded until some parts of it looked like
Squashville in county fair time. But all
to no avail. The little company. headed
by the dainty Deyo, and with a lot Of
good but unknown people in 1t. gave
really bright performance. Everybody
said 1t was good. The beauty about Civ
ing a man a free ticket is that he is sure
many. so that he can prove to his friends
that he was right when he said 1t was
a good show. Refuse him and the house
has an enemy. The Giffen Musical Comedy
Company played night after night to houses
that looked highly encouraging. But in the
face OF all Its apparent prosperity 1t can
GELS its underlined announcements, gives
up the ghost tonight and leaves the La
fayette to face the impression next season
that Mr.. Carnegie some other philan-
thropist has bought the entire place and is
engaged in distributing free amusement.
1t is a sad story-one to make angels weep.
Perhaps an angel is weeping even now.
x
Owing to the Lafayette's crowning fiasco
this week, the outdoor amusements have
an indisputed field The summer season
has been a singularly unprosperous one,
except in the case of Chase's Theater.
Street cars and steamboats, now expand
their highly appreciated allurements. and
the crowds are ia motion every night
eager for the green lawns and the music
n the band