The Washington herald., 1908-05-24
THE WEEKS PLAYBILLS
NC NatIonaI-aMartha.y p

The NatiOnaI-"Martka."
A cast Of appropriate selection has been
scheduled to present Flotows master
piece, Martha" with the Aborn opera
Company during the fifth week Of its
stay at the New National Theater, in
which are presented a number of new
faces to the Aborn clientele In Washing
ton, though they have all been winning
much fame in grand opera with the same
management in other cities Alice Kraft
Benson, former Washingtonian. who
has been successful in both dramatic and
coloratura soprano roles in the heavier
operas; Bertha Shalek. one Of the young
est and most promising dramatic So
pranos Of the American lyric stage. and
another discovery OF this firm Of int
presarios; Harry Luckstone. whose splen-
did barytone is already familiar here. and
Harry Davies, tenor, formerly with the
Savage, the Castle Square, and other
prominent operatic aggregations. all come
from the Aborn English Grand Opera
Company. which has had a most auspl-
cious season in New York and Brooklyn,
and is now duplicating that SUCCESS in
brought TO the New National for the
single week on account of the adaptable
ity they demonstrated for their respective
roles in Martha with the grand opera
organization-Miss Benson as Martha,
Miss Shalek as Nancy. Mr. Luckstone as
Plunkett. and Mr.. Davies as Lionel
Charles w. Meyer. the quaint comedian,
already favorably known here, will return
70 the organization for the eccentric and
amusing character OF Lord Tristan. In
keeping with FOlOtows splendid score
the chorus will be strengthened for the
occasion, and the orchestra will be IN
creased accordingly. Martha" is equally
delightful to the followers OF both light
opera and grand opera. being neither too
much OF one nor the other. but occupying
that middle ground between the two that
embraces so many beautiful and popular
works Of the same order as "The Bo-
hemian Girl. Fra Diavolo,' ''NIaritana."
La Traviata," and other classic com
positions that partake OF both the fea-
lures Of grand and comic opera. Its story
Is interesting. sustained. dramatic. and
charmingly romantic, laid in the time Of
Queen Anne, and the five acts afford op-
poEtunity for charming stage pictures in
the mounting Of scenery and costumes.
CoIumbia-'The Pride of Jennfco."
From a modern problem play. Mr..
Jam0s X. Hackett and his excellent COM
pany will tomorrow evening turn toward
another of the striking successes in the
romantic line by reviving "The Pride Of
Jennico. This play is founded or the
well-known novel OF the same name by
Agnes and Egerton Castle. The main
love story. though woven in and out Of
highly thrilling incidents. is full of ten
derness and pathOs. and invested with
the charm Of genuine romance. Duels
and encounters provide a gallant display
OF swords, in which the hero shows his
prowess, while his deeds of valor carry
the action with spirit and dash through
a rapid development Of episodes to the
inal climax. Throughout the play Mr.
Hackett becomes a spirited and attrac-
tive figure in the role Of the young
Englishmen. The story revoives around
The adventures Of Basil Jennico. a young
Englishman, who inherits vast Hun
Garlan estate. with the understanding
that he must wed a woman Of high rank.
lie falls in love with the charming
Princess Marie Ottille. OF Dornhein. who
pretends TO be her own maid. During a
severe storm she and her lady's maid
;ake refuge in the Hall of Portraits Of
the Castle OF Tellendhal. Jennico meets
them, and. because of the stipulatlons Of
The Will through which he is to obtain
the estate, he aspires toward an am
bilious marriage with the princess. She
changes place with her companion. and
passes herself of upon Jennico as her
'wn lady-in-waiung. who promises to use
,er influence in furthering his suit with
ne princess. After a pretty scere he
ronfesses to the masquerading princess !
is affection and regretfully tells her he
obliged TO marry her mistress" The
zeal Princess Ottilie loves him. but wishes
20 learn whether he loves her for herself
"lone, or only because she comes Of royal
'irth. The wedding occurs in a darkened
chapel, and. after the ceremony Jennico
discovers that he has married the lady
l-waiting. Though he deeply loves her.
le believes he has been deceived and
ricked, and that his estates are lost.
-Nfter few weeks Of welded Hfe-the
princess having still concealed her iden-
tIty-Jennico and Ottilie part with
quarrel. After her departure the bride
,room discovers how much he really
loves the princess and starts out to find
md bring her back. Jennico goes through
% series OF events Of infinite peril Cu-
.ninating in the exciting duel on the
verge Of a cliff, where he finally energies !
triumphant. and learns that his bride is !
really the princess.