Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
MUSIC


the Humming Bird made an exceedingly
favorable Impression at the National inca
ter this week. The enthusiasm which at
tended Mr.. Drew's appearance here this
season has not been exceeded at any time
in his career, and the play, while by no
means a great one. is an exceedingly we'll
adjusted vehicle for Mr.. Drew's peculiar.
not to say unique, personality. The women
OF the company are not especially strong.
but the men more than make up for any
deficiencies in this respect.
*
At the Columbia Theater a number two
Chinese Honeymoon Company gave en-
tire satisfaction to large audiences every
night The production Is a sumptuous
array of scenery and dazzling galaxy Of
choristers. In this particular company the
costumes and the stage accessories are the
chief consideration although the cast con-
talns several people whose excellence Is
well known and highly appreciated in the
world of entertainment. 1t Is not a dis
credit to Miss Toby Claud to assure Miss
Barry that her laurels as the funniest small
woman or the smallest funny woman on
the stage are still safe. Miss Glands per-
sonality Is dainty and refined, rather than
broadly comic.
'The King Of Beasts and the numerous
retinue assembled from the jungle and
from the arctic glaciers held carnival at
the Lafayette Square Theater this week.
1t was one Of the hardest working weeks
ever passed at Washington theater. The
animals see-sawed and somersaulted indie
fatigably. and the loyal orchestra kept pace
playing for hours each day without inter-
mission. The animals got the applause. but
the orchestra worked the hardest. The
week was one OF humorous engagements
whose exceptional prosperity exemplifles
the traditional Stair luck.
Chase's Theater made a dash into the
legitimate, presenting Nine. Mantelli, the
eminent grand opera mezzo soprano. in a
series of classical selections, and Miss Va
lerie Bergere In little one-act emotional
drama. Mime. MantelH pleased large num-
Der Of patrons who enjoy so cents worth Of
grand opera, but who are not prepared to
take It In large quantities at S per package.
Miss Bergere Is clever actress but her
little drama was pretty nearly spoiled by
the lack OF judgment shown in intrusting
very important role to an obviously mex
perienced performer.
The coming week at Chase's is announced
as the anniversary week-four years Of po-
lite vaudeville. When the experiment was
first taken up 1t was considered a doubt
full one; the public here had not been &C
customed to the continuous which had
made fortune for Keith in New York. The
name Of Chase was an unknown quantity;
the theater then known as the Grand had
had checkered career. Empty chairs were
numerous at first. But results began to
justify personal pride in the title Of the
tEeater and by a discreet evolution it be-
came "Chase's New Grand and finally
'Chase's Theater." The phrase polite vau-
deville," at first regarded more or less
loosely, has come to be accepted in all
seriousness. and the play house has a most
enviable clientele Of regular patrons, in ad-
dition to those who are especially attracted
from time to time by some especial feature
Of the bill.
There is something of a disposition to
glorify Miss Annie Russelrs feet. It Is an
injustice to Miss Russell. Miss Russells ac-
complishments and talents are properly to
be assigned to that portion Of her anatomy
which proceeds from the eyebrows up and
not from the ankles down. The feminine
foot has been utilized by the dramatist be-
of a sensation when he required Miss
Blanche Bates to try on stockings In full
view of the audience In Naughty Anthony
and the episode came very nearly saving
one of the worst plays ever written There
was nothing more to be done in this line
except to take the stockings off, which Mr..
Frohman with the assistance of Miss Rus
sell very promptly did. Miss Russells feet
are like other feet. Her phalanges SUBJ
jected to the x-rays would probably exhibit
no formation unfamiliar to anatomy Miss
RusselPs feet are somewhat triangular In
profile, the hypothenuse which constitutes
the upper line of the instep being perhaps
fatter than the idealist in sculpture would
demand. Miss Russell stands squarely on
them and does not make the mistake of
having the nails manicured until they
twinkle unduly In the footlights. There is
nothing more unrefined than over mani
curing nails, and Mr.. Frohman's artistic
sense. no doubt, fully appreciated this fact.
Miss Russelfs feet are serviceable and en-
tirely creditable. but there is no cause for
gushing over them.
The second concert of the De Koven Sym
phony Orchestra showed a substantial i'm
provement which bespeaks brilliant possi
bilities for that organization, and promises
Washington the recognition which 1t has
always coveted. but never attained. as a
center of musical culture. Mr.. Carnegie. in
connection with the dedication of the new
library, commented upon Washington az a
reading community. made up largely of EN-
pioyes OF the government. people of more
than average intelligence This summary
Is Tsnifestly just and discriminating one.
and ~ch a population should long since
have been mainta ming an organ Eat on which
would do as much toward enabling people
to become acquainted with the master
pieces of music as Mr.. Carnegies library
VIII do toward familiarizing them with the
great works of literature.
The performance of Gabrilowitseh was
peculiarly interesting to those who had
heard him year before. He then displa we'd
delicacy and finesse which pleased the
inner sense. His work this week created
an impression that he was trying to attain
more vigorous style of performance 1t
would be a pity II this young and gifted
artist should be tempted to sacrifice the
daintiness and poetic charm, the native
refinement. which characterize his sponta-
heous performances. in an effort to attain
rugged and popular effects. He will un-
dOubtedly be told that ha Iacks ,ioor D..