Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-21
1.-THE CoIOneIo Makes a Hit-Tbe
Theatre.

Avery fine audience greeted the Eric Bayley
English Comedy Company on their first ap
pearance here, and their presentation of the
sparkling comedy, "The Colonel" the
shsrpest satire on the aesthetic craze we
have ever seen. 1t was written by Bur
nand, the clever editor Of the London Punch.
aud the story briefly is as follows:
Richard Forester, good fellow but lack
ing firmness Of character, is alienated from
the comforts of his home by the Intrusion
OF Lambert srreyke, professor, lecturer and
art critic, who gains complete control of
Lady Tompkins, dragon Of a mOther-in-
law, and her daughter Olive, FoTester's
limp and ultrs-intense wife. Streyke is
humbug, whose sole aim it is to secure LADY
T0mpkins' millions by marrying her, aud
obtain for his nephew formerly an apothe-
cary's assistant, but now long-hsired pre-
Rsphaelite ''srtist" whose name has
from Bob to Basil Georgione) another
pot of money by bringing about a
match between him and Nellie. Forrester's
hoyden sister and an heiress. Forester ex-
cuses his frequent absence on the ground
that be is going fishing and, under the as
sumed name Of Fisher, representing himself
to be bachelor, enters into pertlous hlrta-
ton with Mrs. Blythe, young and charm
ing widow. Thus matters stand when Col.
Wood. Of the United States cavalry, cool.
clear headed, sensible man, comes upon
the scene, unmasks the professor, and kicks
out his nephew, depOses the law,
reunites the estranged husband and wife,
gives Nellie to Edward LsDgton, the man Of
her choice, and mArries the widow himself.
The cast was excellent, the actors being
perfect In their parts, and the play moved
on smoothly and rapidly. The stage setting
was superb, and the scenery new and thor
oughly in keeping with the character Of the
play. The Colonel Woottween W.
Woodd" Of Mr.. Eric Bayley was irresistible
in its natursluess, and at once won upon
the appreciative audience. Mr.. RAYMOND
Holmes, as Orchard Forester" well sus-
tanned the character, and showed the ability
OF a true actor. Mr.. Flockton, "Lambert
Sreyke," the Professor Of the new
art, was superlatively fne-in fact,
intensely intense"-while "Basil Georgi-
one," his nephew and pupil, was
lust too utterly utter, and decidedly anus
ing. The lady Fompkins" Of Miss Maria
Davis was an excellent pOrtraiture, which
evidenced the thorough actress. Miss
Therese Walden, whose charming presence
at once eaptivated the audience, admirably
assumed the character OF "Olive," and in
the last act, when she shook estheticism and
appeared as her natural self, won the nearly
applause Of the house. Miss Myndha Bay
lev as GNellie," who had q cOnsummate
disgust for &stheticism, established herself
as a favorfte with the audience from the start,
and deepened the impression as the play
advanced. "Mrs. Blythe" the fashionable
widow, was capitslly personated by Miss
Rachael Sanger, and we think we express
the universal opinion Of the house when we
say 'sThe Colonel" was success. The first
act being mainly explanatory Of estheti-
cism, perhaps does not impress fsvorablY,
but the second act wskens up the fun, and
from then until the close the bright dia-
logue, crisp sayings and effective satire
keep the audience thoroughly amused and
entertained.
This afternoon, IS vas announced from
the stage by Mr.. Edward Taylor, the gen.
tlemanly manager, there wiH be q matinee,
and tonight THE COlonep will make his
farewell to Savannah audience.