The Washington times., 1904-05-22
Local Events.
Miss Matthison's Success and Coming
Attractions.

One Of the local successes Of the sea
son was unquestionably scored by Miss
Edith Wynne Matthison, who appeared
as Rosalind and Viola in the outdoor
productions Of LAS You Like It. and
Twelfth Night on the old Observatory
grounds.
Miss Matthison had been seen in this
city only a few weeks before as Every
man I'm the relis ious play of that name,
and at that time created a most favor
able impression. Indeed, her imperson-
alton OF the character was so sincere, so
complete I'm its effect. and so true TO the
spirit of the play that the curiosity 10
see her In other parts was spontaneous.
While the personal charm of her pa
thetic. sorrowful, and sentimental Viola
is generally acknowledged, it must be
confessed that it is her ROsalind which
has been given FIST place both in public
appreciation and as an artistic cOncep-
ton.
The writer first saw Miss Matthison In
this part a year ago. That was imme-
diately after a long and uninterrupted
season in "Eyeryman,' and the same
fault was then prominent in her charac-
terization that now mars her Viola
glOOminess and lack OF comedy contrast.
However. during the past year Miss
Matthison has had the opportunity 70
play number Of parts besides Every
man, and this break in the monotony of
a single character has had a decided ef-
feet on her Rosalind. we were aston
ished on Tuesday evening at the spar
kle. the vivacity. the spontaneity of her
humor. For the first time we saw her
really joyous on the stage, and the novel
touch vastly increased the charm Of her
acting. Her Rosalind can now be unre-
servedly termed one OF the best that the
theater has recently known.
The attractions announced at the local
the'.ters this week promise interesting
fare for varied tastes. One OF Frank
Daniels best productions. The Wizard
of the Nile" will be done at the Lafay-
cite Opera House with Fred Frear In
Daniels old part: Miss Esteile Went
worth, Washington girl. as Cleopatra,
and Norma Kopp as the boy. The spring
operate season at the Lafayette is prov
ing thoroughly successful. as IL well de-
serves 20 be. The repertory has in
cluded the best Of modern works, and
the companies have been OF excellent
quality both as regards principal and
choruses. II is not strange that the
patronage has been good enough to en-
courage the management to extend the
season
Edwin Arden will try Nat Goodwin'e
part In The Gilded FooT' at the Column
bia Theater. Goodwin revived the com
edy this season after his failure with
"A Midsummer Nights Dream" and II
was well received in the principal the
atrical centers. Henry Guy Carleton's
work seemed a trife antiquated. TO be
sure. but the situations carried fairly
well for all that. The production at the
Columbia should do a good business
Chase's offers a notable headliner in
Henry z. DiXey. who will be seen in tho
one-act play, "OYer a Welsh Rarebit. ..
We prefer to spell it rabbit ourselves.
but everybody to his own taste Dixey
Is splendid character actor. and what
ever he does. whether rabbit or
''rarebit," is sure 10 be worth while.
The sensational melodrama Queen of
the White Slaves" will be at the Acad-
envy.
The Empire closed It's season last
night.
A burlesque troupe. called THE Tiger
Lilies" is due at Kernans Lyceum.
Lafayette-"The Wizard of the Nile"
So pronounced has been the favor
shown by patrons that Manager Ira J.
La Motto. of the Lafayette Opera
House, has closed a contract for Ike
Aborn productions as an annual spring
and summer feature at his house.
Some fifteen productions Of the latest
operatic successes have been purchased
outright by the Aborns for this purpose,
including such popular hits as The
Singing Girl" The Fortune Teller, 2"
The Idols Eye" Wang" "El Capt
tam The jolly Musketeer.'' The We'd
ding Day THE Highwayman," The
Serenade." Rob Roy Jack and the
Beanstalk," and others.
The cast for The Wizard Of the Nile"
this week will include the charming
Estelle wentworth. whose beautiful
soprano has been heard with much
pleasure here before with the Bostonians,
with Lulu Closer in Dolly Warden. 3"
and with Virginia Earl IN Sergeant
Kitty" Miss Wentworth has also sung
in nearly every church of prominence
In Washington. Her selection as the
feature Of The Wizard Of the Me" cast
is most timely. Another name that will
be greeted with quite as much pleasant
surprise IS that Of the popular comedian,
Fred Frear, who will be seen IN the part
originated by Frank Daniels. Still an
other name which makes the list look