, 1879-01-26
THE STAGE.
THE DRAMA.
CHICAGO.

Ted once more to LOOK at common things
r. 1hc stage. Probably the theatre-eoiug eye
III, MT be dazzled with such a gorgeous display
of,o;1ets as hns Craced Mr.. Hayerly's Theatre
thc last two weeks, and it may be
70 shall hare to endure the sight of
Ycy-lct us hope it may be
on1r 3 few-racant seats; yet there is good
cround Tor believing that the recen: storm will
mt be succeeded, as many anticipate, by dead
.s1r in our theatrical world. On the contrary,
!, is quite possible that the operatic furore Will
have tic effect OF stirring up the stay-at-home
<o1ks into upWontrd activity, and reawaken the
desire for evening amusement. People arc easily
arsu.dc juto the agreeable belief that times are
;o,nroyipn, and it only needs some such excite
mcnt to quicken the public pulse and set the
,onr-buried dollars into circulation. Without
seeking to extol uuduly the libcrality Of Chica-
co in this respect, it is q noteworthy
fac, that we have so far this season
sustained our reputation for being the
mos, generous patrons OF amusculents in
1he country. With hardly any strong attrac-
tiou outside Of opera, the managers Of the diff
tercnt theatres have been doing thriving busi-
ness, showing that the public has healthy ap-
net;te, which an cnterprisine caterer might
readily appeasc. McVicker probably took it
into his head that the syren singers would
charm away every available dollar fron1 the
1cctima,e drama, and so be contented himself
with the revival of Duckstone's fine old me]o-
drama Of screen Bushes" It was almost out
Of memory among the rising generation, and its
resuscitation must have been welcome to many
N old Iogy, who may have witnessed
It's first appearance as far back as rs.
Hooley brought that sta]wart Irish comedian,
Joseph Murphy, into his service for the week, and
succeeded in cutting moro than even with some
previous - off engagements which did not pay.
The ..Smokc you like ~ Theatre, the Metro
politan, and the Academy Of Music, all rclped
hearty benefit, and the ten-cent opcra-house
was doing such roaring business that the
Mayor, fearing that dim Nixon was getting rich
altogether too rapidly, found it necessary to
susnend him until he widcned his doors. On
the whole. therefore, We have reason to con-
graduate ourselves on our theatrical bcehires,
although they have yielded but small result
OF dramatic honey.
THIS WEEK PROMISES BETTER
things, and conspicuous among the coming at
fractions is the new play written by Mrs. Abby
Sace Richardson, which will be brought forth at
McVicker's Theatre. 4 little less than q ycarago
Mrs Richardson received 8 copy OF the original
French novel By Gaboriau, - Une Cordc au Cou,"
from which the plot OF 1.-TWO Women u is taken.
E,ances are combined with it, while the dialogue
and scenic arrangements are, VIC believe, origi-
nal, not at all trespassing on the English novel
"Within an Inch of His Lifc.' nor its several
stage adaptations. 4 brief outline Of the story
will convey some idea Of the scope and purpose
OF the work. In the first act the hero, who is
true Frenchman, and views morality from an
casTgoipg French standpoint, is accused Of
arson and murder, and his tiauce faints, as any
we1l-brcd tfance is bound to do under the cir
.r~t,1 ef hos I'm
second act introduces the accused as prisoner
receiving call from his love- who implores him
to prove his innocence OF flee. He has no proofs,
and declines to wing it. but decides to meet the
difficulty ike man, and prepares to simply ab-
scond for time. In the third act be visits the
house OF the wounded man, recognizes in the
wife former mistress, and ACCUSES her OF mur-
dering her husband in order to obtain the legal
right to marry him Uhe hero). The wife IS
dun, n,bfoundcd, of course, being innocent, and
believing her accuser to be the guilty party.
Their mutual recrimiDations are interrupted By
the dying man, who creates sensation By point
ing q revolver, and then gasping that he will not
shoot, prefcrrins to disgrace tue destroyer OF
his home by a public accusal. The fourth act
introduces an affecting scene between the two
women. Tie mistress demands the surrender
Of the man who is beloved OF both, and refusal
is followed by dagger thrust, which
'pey % encounteT saa is interrupted @ sG'' By the
timely arrival of one who brings tidines Of the
DISCOVERY OF the real assassin, aud OF the death
OF the victim. Nhereupon the conscience
etriken wife dies Of q rupture OF the heart.
LOCAL NOTES.
At Hamlin's Theatre number Of new variety
performers have been engaged for the week,
amoug whom are Burton Stanley, Leon Whet-
tony, Kitty Allyne, Fanny Kent, und McFicker
and Sanders.
The Metropolitan programme contains q long
list OF variety attractions for the week. Little
Mac has been re-engaged, and among the high
IT order OF comedians will be noted the name
cretta called Is Molly Dear" in concert with
Miss Susie Parker.
The latest thing about the Mapleson- -Haver]y
combination is that next rear, while jack Haver-
IL is occupied in running Her MajestY,s Royal
Opera in the United States, Canada, Australia,
and the Sandwich Islands, Col. Mapleson will
20 to England, Ireland, India, and Afshanistann
WITH the Presidential Mastodou Minstrels, and
exhibit the g 8 Imperial end mcn.''
May Leyton, the mysterious young lady who
reads minds and does other marvels OF second
sight, opeu tomorrow evening at Hershey Hall
With an entertainment Of scientific illusions,
sleight-of-hand, and glimpses into the realms OF
The supernatural. Miss Leyton is certainly a
Fitted young lady, and, however she comes By
her singular faculty, works wonders in her way.
Tie nautical comic opera by Arthur Sullivan |
and W. S. Gilbert, entitled ''H. n. S. Pin |
kfore,'' which has attained marked success in |
Bustou and New York, will be produced at |
aoolcy's for the first time here tomorrow even
ng by company which comes from Montreal. |
It has been pronounced i new and amusing |
musical sensation, and, according to the merit Of
he company, it will receive a proper Iecogni- |
ion from the musical people of Chicago.
The Kiralfy combination will open for brief |
season at Harcrly's Theatre in their popular !!