, 1879-02-02
THE STAGE.
THE DRAMA.
CHICAGO.
MRS. RICHARDSON'S NEW PLAT.

MlkS. HllAAAD@o9 NEW 1AhAs
Mrs ABBY Sage Richardson's version Of
Gaborian's novel, presented here under the title
Of 1.-Two Women,'' is one OF three different
2dantatiors OF the same story. one OF which was
produced iu New York, and another in phil2del
,tia From all accounts it would appear that
they are distinct, one from the other, in their
treatment Of the theme, and they have each
been received with marked appreciation. This
is due probably as much to the dramatic inter
est in the narrative to the theatrical synopsis
Of the events given By the adapters. 1t is simply
s convenient way OF skimming through Z
novel. A story is told In four object lessons in
stead Of twenty chapters-2nd this is about all
that Mrs. Richardson can claim for her work
Tile dramatic material has been used in con-
scientious spirit, but the playwright seems to
hare forgotten that people Eho go to the theatre
are more interested in men and women than in
events. This is true, at least, OF the more in
1e1iigeut class OF play-goers, and it is to this
class that Mrs Richardson has evidently appeal
ed in this, her first effort The play is eventful
enough, but the personages connected with
the events are not, and, as far as one can see,
cannot be made interesting. There is greatd
OF talk and TOO little action, and this might be
al very well il the talk was OF a kind that re-
vcaled individual characteristics; but 1t is
mostly preparatory gossip, such as one maE
have in parlor concerning the outcome OF some
entertaining scandal in which the public sitting
in front are interested. The hero Of the story,
Tictor, has no opportunity to act from first TO
last He is simply required to walk TO anu ITO
ON the stage and show that he fcels Dad. anu
1t was therefore not SO much to the ols-
credit OF Mr.. Learock that, during the greater
part Of tire time he occupied the stage DC
turned his back on the audience. II was
not, as some malicious critic suggested LOT 1he
purpose Of showing oil that magnificent slope
in his back, but merely because be had noth1ns
particular to express. As in the case OF most
Of the characters, the author has gwen MN .
great deal to say and little to do. The idiot
peasant, the pcrpetrator Of the mufoer' VINO Is
introduced in the first act. might it seems have
been turned to good advantage nut ne drops
out of sight, and is only heard Of at the close OF
1hc last sccne in an explanatory paragraph. In
1,rief. Mrs. Richardson has written clever syn
spsls OF story but she has yet to learn te art OF
1rf,ductne dramatic effects, aud possibly none
11udcrstupd the deficiencies OF her work Dctter
its behalf Mr.. McVicker is TO be commented
tor the manner in which the play was mouhteu,
and also for his COURAGEOUS doings in the way
Of giving our coming pfay"rlgnLs cnanec,
Mrs Richardson has made her nrst eHoft, ana
!; has been SO creditable that one hopes 1t may
not be her last
LOCAL NOTES.
The next entertainment OF the Engie"ooo
Lecture Course will bc a reading BY Mrs. Laura
T. Dainty Friday evening.
A musical and literary entertainment will be
given this evening at 3Sl West Madison street
by the Chicago Glec Quartette
Miss Lima Tet1enborn will make her first ap-
+I.r N.t-1 fr-Yn0
row night in the play translated from the Ger
man oi Huber entitled I" lima, the Milk Vendcr
Of Gcrmantown.'' Nose Fiske, Little Mac, and
Dave Oakes haye been re-engaged for the week.
Mrs. Abby Sage Richardson will give read
ing at the Church Of the Messiah tomorrow
The entertainment will take place in the
Memorial Chapel Of the church, corner Of Mich
irap avenue and Twenty-third streets. The
eclections include popular passages from Trow-
bridge, Lowell, lonstellow, Bret Harte, and
Other authors.
The "scicnce and Myster5'' entertainment
provided BY the Swedish MAGICIAN, Balabrega,
aud Miss May Leyton at Hershey Hall. has at
1racted good deal Of attention curing the past
week. Miss Leyton's share in the performance
has been the subject Of much discussion, since
1t is not quite certain whether she claims to de-
rive her power from spiritual sources or other
wise. An entirely new programme Is arranged
for the present week.
The Alice Oates English opera company, which
IS always welcome here, opens for brief season
ct Hayerly's Theatre tomorrow evening. Their
initial performance will be lecocq's military
comic opera, lie Petit Due" which has en-
jored considerable success in Paris, London, and
San Francisco. Mrs. Oates Is associated with
chosen company OF artists who have been well
spoken Of in their recent travels, particularly in
California. where they appear to have ent4yed
tile special favor Of the public f.
Among the most Interesting dramatic events
of the present week will be the first appearance
here Of Miss Ada Caycndish, an actress who has
received most sincere welcome on this coutl-
nent, and iu regard TO whose talents there seems
to be hardly dispute. 4 San francisco critic
opens upon her in this way: 1t 4 greater actress
than Ada Cayendish San Francisco.neyer saw"
which may be true enough, but the writer adds
1I,at be had only seen her in one character. Miss
famous itnpersonation OF Jane Shore in Wills
ncw adaptation Of that play, which will be pro-
durcd with special attention to its scenic effects,
and With the aid OF the present stock company
During her engagement Miss Cayendish will ap-
pear as -Hercy Marick in 1.-THE New Magda-
leue."
The new Criterion Comedy Company, which
cutters upon its first engagement in this city to-
morrow evening at Uooley's Theatre, is likely
to attract attention, partly on account OF some
OF the names included in the combination, and
partly because the aim of the enterprise is, it IS
claimed, to repair the damage to dramatic art
inflicted By the suppression Of stock companies.
: The Criterion Company have high aud ambitious
aims, which the public here will sincerely hope
to see fulfilled. Mr.. F. F. 3facsav is an actor
OF known ability, and some OF lis
coadjutors will be recognized in Chicago. The
season will open with q Castc,' to be followed
on Tuesday evening with Our Boys.'' a new
comedy, adapted from the German by Stanley
Afckenna, is underlined for production during
tuis engagement Of the company comprising the
%'Cri.erions-"
Mr.. Emil Hoechstcr is going to attempt to
restore tite German drama 70 the position it
held in this city sumo two or three ycars ago.
lie has engaged frst-class stock company,
with which be will perform the higher class of
German dramas at Hooley's Theatre. which he
las rented for Sunday nights for the balance
oi the season. There is no reason why
hir. Hoehster should not succeed in his mis-
sion to restore the German drains in this
city to its former standing and popularity. He
is good actor bimsclf, and fully understands
the requirements of the stage. This is as good
. city for German theatre as any,in the couu-
try, and the success OF Wurster when he first
started out proves that they are willing to sup
port it freely provided good plays, well per
formed by capable actors, arc presented. The
new company of Mr. Hoechsf lis larger anu
bette. one than Dir. Wurster has had for years,
and considerable interest is manifested to wit
oess their inaup11r8f at HoOley's Tonight. The