Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14

None of the theaters presented attrac-
ions of extraordinary merit Ut magnitude
IN Monday night and the business, while
iot below the prosperity level, has not been
n any instance remarkable.
The auditor at the New National Theater
This week enjoyed a mild and compare
lively uneventful evening with society as
is portrayed on the stage. THE Stub
oornness of Geraldine like most other
plays by the same author, is remarkable
Tor little except what might be termed Its
Clyde Fitchiness. Mr.. Fitch's plays have
ack of definite quality which gives them
sort of negative distinction. There is a
soft, agreeable flavor and never any pun
gency such as might offend the taste. Mr..
Arthur Byron played "a very conventional
romantic part in so earnest and sincere
fashion that he made it seem positively
human. 1t is almost irreverent to hint at
such a thing but the funny girl from Mon
tana came very near being the hit of the
piece. despite the admirable acting of Miss
Mannering and the somewhat obvious en-
deavors she made to compel the climaXes
to yield the emotionality expected at
critical juncture in the plot. 1t occasional
ly happens that piece which possesses
slight quality is assisted on the road to
fame by the efforts of the irresponsible
burlesquer. Weber and Fields outrageous
perversion of the title THE sickness of
Gelatine" has been a great advertisement
for the original article 1t is said to be
very good travesty, too. and Washington is
unfortunate in not being able to have the
sequel to the story, as it might prove an
even better entertainment.
Ezra Kendall has been delivering a most
amusing monologue, surrounded on all sides
by an alleged play entitled 1.-The Vinegar
Buyer" Mr.. Kendall somehow performs
the prodigious feat of getting genuinely
new stories. His tale of an adventure in
the wash compartment of a sleeping car,
where he soaped his face and discovered,
as the train swung round sharp curve
into tunnel, that his face had slipped out
Of his hands, is a convulsing bit of humor
worthy even of that much quoted but lit
tie understood jester. Joe Miller, himself
The revival of Joe Miller, by the way, calls
to attention the dense ignorance or literary
indifference which often pervades theatre
cal enterprise. Thomas Q. Seabrook is re-
sponsibe for the general impression that
Joe Miller is the author of the conundrum,
As a matter Of fact Joe Miller was merely
compiler of anecdotes and was by no
means the puerile punster that he Is repre-
sented. Many Of the best stories now at
tributed to distinguished statesmen can
be traced to his compilation. It could
scarcely be commended, however for gen.
eral reading without expurgation. Poor
Joe! No doubt he had sins enough to an
GU for with 1afn
minds of the audiences with any of the
atrocious puns which take the place of
dialogue in THE Vinegar Buyer" 1t is no
wonder that so nice a handler of words as
James Whitcomb Riley firmly said mo"
when requested to assume portion of the
authors responsibility. The audiences have
been highly amused, for Mr.. Kendalrs own
humor. which constantly scars above the
material he Is interpreting, gives many
opportunities for laughter. 1t is as
personal entertainer that he impresses.
Mr. Kendall is no actor, and the The Vine
gar Buyer" Is no play; yet the combination
makes wholesome and hilarious evenings
diversion.
Next week brings to this city a player
who has been preceded by much good re-
port Mr.. Hawtrey has been so much ad-
mired for his performance Of "A Messen-
ger From Mars that its merits might be
taken on faith. At the Columbia a tried
and trusted friend will be on hand In the
person Of 1.-THE Auctioneer," so humanity
portrayed by David Warfleld .Zaza" and
Camille" will be Interpreted by Eugene
Blair at the Lafayette, and Chase's will
have an all round bin for which eloquent
promises are made. At the Academy an
old acquaintance. ''On the Suwanee River"
will once more make Its appearance. The
Empire Theater has arranged for Charmion
to give her sensational trapeze act. retain
ing the usual features of olio and bur-
lesque, and Kernan's viii have the line of
entertainment that Is familiar to its patron
age.