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

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feat of endurance of Mr.. Angelo Fronani,
| who completed twenty-five separate and
distinct selections including solos and ac-
| compartments, without pausing for sleep
| or refreshments Mr.. Fronani Is a most
| capable pianist but his performance at this
| recital was in the nature obviously OF toll
| than of artistic Interpretation. Miss De
| Lussan followed the example OF other emf
| nent singers and brought forth copies OF
| songs which she had not taken the trouble
to learn The difference between the selec-
! lions which she had memorized and those
| which she read at sight was so pronounced
| that it was as if two different performers
occupied the stage. An exhibition Of sight
reading. however clever, is not calculated
to command very appreciative attention.
To see a singer casting side glances
| at a page in. order to refresh her
memory. is as notwithstanding as to behold
/ her methodically Flooding from measure to
| measure without even an attempt to simu-
| late familiarity.
| The orchestra at Chase's was the guest o.
its leader, William ]. Kerngood, last
| Wednesday night, on which occasion the
| Christmas gift made him by the musicians
| Of the theater-a Masonic watch charm
| was formally presented, and where mutual
| expressions of esteem were passed such as
very rarely emanate from body of pro-
| fessional musicians who have worked to-
| gether for many months. The orchestra
at this theater Is an unique institu-
| ton. The vaudeville theater -exacts much
more from its house musicians than does
the theater playing standard combina-
tons In the case of musical comedies.
| leader who understands every bit of bus1-
ness In song, every change Of tempo, who
| has all the cues fixed in memory as mat
| ter of habit. comes with the company and
| directs. In the vaudeville theater however
| the house orchestra must learn series OF
| new acts for every week, and be alert every
moment in order to prevent the best points
| Of the performance from being irretrievably
| lost in a musical miX-up. This readiness
and prompt perception can only be obtained,
| Of course by earnest cooperation, and this
| the orchestra at Chase's has secured to an
| extent which has given the house the repu-
| tatiOn Of being one Of the best Monday at
| ternoon theaters In the country.
The members OF the orchestra occasional
| ly have a little spare time for rest in the
| music room under the stage which has
| been comfortably fitted up and appropriate
| ly decorated with the photographs Of play
| ers who have faced them across the foot
| lights. These photographs are, in most
| cases, embellished with autographed COM
plfments for the orchestra which are high
ly valued; for the criticism Of vaudeville
performer addressed to the orchestra,
| whether one OF censure or praise, Is In
| variably sincere. During such periods OF
| repose the orchestra resolves itself into
| social club, where a certain friendly dis
ciplne Is maintained and fines of small
proportion are vigorously collected for any
| breach Of the clubs rules or for any mis-
L toIro IT, fha ,f -Ro-~
| Der. Telling ancient joke, giving imita-
lions. OF performers in the weeks bill, sing
| ing or whistling THE Palms." and the use
| Of violent explosives are all Unable offenses.
| The treasurer has In his possession con-
siderable sum to be expended for recreation
or other purposes. 1t is an original idea.
| and one that has worked well. The eff
| cheney Of this little orchestra has inspired
confidence in the theatergoing public to such
| an extent that the Monday matinee, which
was formerly regarded as little more than
| a dress rehearsal, can confront almost as
| rigid standard of criticism as Is ordi-
! narily reserved for second or third per-
Torrance.
Mr.. Kerngood has had some amusing ex-
periences as director in vaudeville and
| farce-comedy One of his warmest friends
is John Kernel. the monologuist Kernel
| and Kerngood once had a little dispute as
| to the Importance Of the musical director In
1 ali dCl SUCH DIS lie was playing. MT. her-
nell declared that he could proceed entirely
| independent of the musical director, while
\ Mr.. Kerngood insisted that an evilly dis
| posed person in such a responsible position
| could not only break up act but could
| compel the performer to slavishly do his
| bidding
| Nonsense" said Mr.. Kernell
| every WELL" said Mr. Kerngood; tonight
l will make you give me So across the
| footlights."
| You will do nothing of the kind" said
Mr. Kernel, alphabetically.
Kernells portion of the performance was
| reached In the evening program, and moth
| ing of Importance happened until the cue
came for the comedians first song.
That's the cue, William said Kernell
Il know it. JOHN answered the director
| why don't you play?"
| Because / want So.
"Oh. that's all right; see the point, but
this is no time for nonsense; this is bust
| ness, you know.
That's what it is.'' said Kerngood; .its
business with me, and must have the SIS
| before the orchestra plays note"
The deneuement was that Mr.. Kernel,
J rather than have his act held up, produced
| the currency and passed it over the foot
| lights. The money was returned after the
: performance. and Mr. Kernel admitted that
| the leader had the best of the argument
| x X X
| Sam Lockhart the famous elephant train
| er, has stored up in his memory innumer-
able instances in proof that these great
beasts of the jungle have intelligence of a
! much higher order than is possessed by
their other four footed brethren.
| when / was in Burmah," said Mr. Lock-
hart in talk upon the subject, II saw two
| instances that made deep impression upon
| me. One day was sitting on the porch of
the house of a gentleman named Muir, who
/ used many elephants in his lumber bust
| ness. 1t was almost dinner time. Talk
| about the British workman said Mr. Muir
| watch that big elephant, over there when
| the bell rings The minute 1t sounded the
| elephant dropped his work at once, though
he had some distance yet to drag his log
| Keep your eye on him when he goes to his
| stable added Mr.. Muir. DO you see that
1 pile Of elephant grass in the corner? II the
| exact number Of punches is not there-if
| there Is one short--he will not work any
! more that day, and all the power have
| could not make him. 1 watched the big
| beast. He went over to the pile, took up
one bunch and set II to the other side Of
him. Then another and another until the
| full tally was made. Il was all right. for
he settled down to eating Il ueacefufiy