Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-18
THE TIL EAT E R.
Columbia.


presentation. Judging from the reception
given the revival and the approval and ap-
probation manifested, 1t seems safe to pre-
dict that this week will be not the least
successful of the record-breaking engage
ment Of the Columbia Stock Company for
the present summer supplemental season.
1t was an excellence of judgment that
dictated the selection Of the "Maneuvers OF
Jane" for presentation the first week OF
Mr.. Lackaye's absence from the company,
as in this delightful but not overly heavy
play the two principal roles-there is some
doubt at times as to the supposedly star
part-are both feminine. Last evening
there were remarkably few first-night de-
fects noted in the smooth and satisfying
production, and Miss Spong and Miss Wal
ker, as Jean Nangle and Miss Gage, were
highly effective in their respective roles.
The role Of Jean Nangle calls for quite a
bit of stormy character work and Miss
Spong was more than equal to all the de-
mands upon her art, while Miss Walker
was charmingly feminine and most con-
vincing in the somewhat more subdued role
Of Miss Gage. There Is little doubt but
that every individual member Of the audi
ence felt 1t in the nature OF privilege to
be permitted to witness such sterling and
sincere work in the two principal roles of
a word comedy such as 1.-The Maneuvers
of Jane" which depends for its success
vastly more upon delicacy Of delineation
than upon accuracy or continuity Of action.
The work Of the supporting company was
individually and collectively entirely salts
factory. AS Lord Babchild Guy Coombs
did probably the best work Of his engage
ment here this spring, and George CASTOR
was easy and as finished as usual in the
part Of Mr.. Nangle. Walter Howe as Jer-
Wis Pimshon; William Lamp. as George
Langdon. and Dorothy Hammack, as
Pamela Beechinor, were particularly eff
fective in character roles. and the re-
mainder Of the support did excellent work.
New National.
and "Cavalleria Rusticana" at the New Ma
tional last evening, the Aborn Opera Com
pany made another long stride toward firm
establishment in the hearts Of the theater-
goers of Washington. Never before has a
summer opera company touched more thor
oughly the popular sentiment. nor essayed
a bill of such artistic exaction. In other
productions individual members have dis
t1nguished themselves for excellent work
put not during the present engagement has
the Aborn company been seen to such uni
form advantage
Robert Lett, as Sir Joseph Porter, won
much applause. He afforded one of the
features of the evening by his unique vocali-
cation in carrying a syllable through two
octaves and climbing to B fiat in the Bell
trio.
Huntington May, as Dick Deadeye, sur
prised the audience by his clever acting. His
rich voice has already won for him many
stanch admirers, but his work as the sea-
man last night revealed him an actor of no
mean quality. Harold Blake was we'll re-
celved, and divided the honors with Miss
Gardner. In the love scene between Rack
straw and Josephine he received several
encores.
Emile Gardner, who plays Josephine in
"Pinafore' and Lola in "Cavallera Rusti-
cana Is very attractive young woman
with voice of sweet quality, but lacking
in strength and carrying power for operate
work. Marie Horgan was very satisfactory
both as the bumboat woman and Lucia in
"Cavalleria Rusticana.''
In the Mascagni opera, Estelle Went
worth distinctly won the honors Of the
evening as SantuZZa. She has been hitherto
seen In light operate roles, and last even
ing's demonstration of her versatility Great
ed veritable sensation. Besides indicating
the possession of a voice Of surprising fexi-
bllity and range, she showed a conception
of the role which stamps her an actress
She gave to SantuZZa all the passion and in
tensity of feeling demanded by the role and
displayed a voice of surprising power and
expression. Indeed, her entire work was
the most conscientious effort that has been
seen In the theater for some time, and
proved indisputably that a great future
awaits the talented and handsome young
woman. The performance was the crown
ing event not only of the evening, but Of
the engagement up to this time.
Joseph -Fredericks a new member of the
company made excellent use of the op-
portunities afforded by the role of Turridu,
The orchestral selections were we'll rem
dered and were greeted with applause
despite the fact that there was not the
usual complement of instruments for grand
opera to meet the requirements of the score
However, big audiences will be amply re-
paid for patronizing the weeks attraction.
Belasco..
That ever-enjoyable farce comedy. 1.-The
Private Secretary" is offered by Edwin
Arden and his company at the E.elasco this
week. and the manner In which 1t was re-
ceived last night proved 1t to be a happy
selection. Since the days when William
Gillette created the role Of the shrinking
and much abused curate until the present
Interpretation Of the character by Edward
Ells the play has been a never-ending
source of amusement It's plot is so ia
miliar to the theater-going public that its
unfolding has ceased to be an element of
interest to the audience, leaving the burden
or the production entirely upon the inter-
probation of the various characters and the
manner in which the action is sustained.
The play is a farce comedy of the ultra
active type, and its successful presentment
depends In the main upon it's snap and CO.
The performance last night left little to he
desired. Edward Ellis, in the title role.
realized the character fully, both as to
makeup and manner, and proved his worth
as portrayer of eccentric comedy Edwin
Fowlers as Mr.. .Cattermole the irascible
uncle contributed generously to the humor
of the occasion. and he played the testy old
gentleman with the aggravated liver in a
manner conducive Of apoplexy in one so
red-faced and rotund. Edwin Arden, as
Douglas Cattermole, and Samuel Klawans,
as Harry Mousland, performed with credit
the demands Of their respective roles. Jessie
Glendenning and Rosetta Brice, as the mis-
chievous pupils of the private secretary,
were sufficiently juvenile and captivating,
and the remainder Of the characters We're
well taken. Altogether the performance
gave evidence of careful study and train
ing, and will undoubtedly draw big audi
ences the entire week.
During the intermissions many in the au-
dience took advantage of the roof garden
on top of the theater, where refreshments
were served. The roof garden is a delight
full retreat. which will certainly contribute
much to the popularity of the Belasco sum-
mer season.
New Lyceum.
The second week of the New Lyceum
stock burlesque company presented another
fair show of entertainment at the matinee
and last nights performance. There are
two good burlesques. with considera BILE
added strength to the chorus. The olio Of
three acts and moving pictures contain
two acts of worthy mention. Willard, Bond
& Co. and Smith, Convey Co. Smith and
Convey are two clever boys with good
voices and afford great amusement AN
American JaDan" jS tho onanipp h,,r