Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-09-21

theatres are now open Dul Sucn SWaSn as
they are giving us. Judging by their "at-
fractions, one would think that managers
had" suddenly come to the conclusion
that theatregoers had become bereft of
reason and intelligence since the last season
closed. A body of men who act more
like sheep, could scarcely be imagined.
One of them leaps u hurdle and earns a
fair amount of applause. What is the re-
suit Each individual one of them gathers
himself together and flies over after the
leader. AS a consequence the feat which
first pals on the taste and the spectators
who are expected to pay for the fun, walk
away wearied of the sameness. Last year
MIR. Wallack thought he would give the
patrons of his theatre change. Thus in
stead of producing play in which the
actors played the principal part, he
brought out one where the carpenters,
machinists and scene painters were brought
to the front, and used the actors as lay
figures, with which TO produce their effect.
Thus We got THE World" Manager
Palmer at once followed suit at the Union
Square theatre with The Lights Of Lon
don" The scenic effects at both places
were magnificent, and the public poured
into the play house no longer TO hear, but
to see. The other managers at once re-
tired to their offices and thought. AS a
result the greater number of them came to
the conclusion that the public was tired of
plays and authors of plays, and wanted
carpenters and scenic eff cts. Thus ut
present we have perfect avalanche OF
spectacular meludrama. The season opened
with revival of the Lights of London"
and Youth" the World" being now ON
the road. Next Harrigan and Hart threw
vaudeville to the winds, and brought out
the melodramatic "BlaCkbird." Last
Wednesday Augustin DAILY opened his
house and gave US "Mankind," another
melodrama Finally, to cap the climax,
Wal!ack's was opened last Saturday with
melodramatic splcndor, and what they
gave US was Taken from Life" Now
the least said about the last two novelties,
the better. Both of them were next door
to failures in London where they were
brought out last season. In the first place
they were placed in third rate theatres and
appealed almost entirely to the sympathy
of the gallery gods. That the managers
of first class American theatres should
think that this was the kind of dramatic
fare their patrons desired, speaks very
poorly Ter their knowledge OF their bust
ness. B8t they are always so omniscent
until theic pockets are touched. Now all
these managers have gone to very heavy
expense in setting aud mounting their
plays. When they find that there is not
enough money coming in at the front OF
the house they WILL discover 10 their cost
that the pablo cannot be fed on coarse
highly spiced meledrunatic hash entirely.
They may like it far Il change, but as for
taking ii at every course, they will reject
it with a thank you
Miss Laura Don has always been re-
garded, not only as cleSer, but as a re-
4narkably versatile woman. Last week
she opened at the Standard theatre with a
play She wrote herself, rehearsed herself,
for which she designed the scenes and Sc
lected her company; and in which she
played the principal part. This was the
"Daughter of the Nile" and if even the
Clique of critics who are opposed to her
cannot hut admit that she scored a success,
lher play must be a very satisfactory mem
5ument to her talents. The language and
dialogue is bright, crisp and beautiful
The plot is in many respects very original.
The play opens OIL the banks of the Hud-
son. Egypt, the heroine Laura D0n9 is
the daughter of an Oriental mother and an
American father. She is rich, beautiful,
and of course has plenty of offers of mar
riage. She falls in love however, with a
young English nobcman, temporarily
visiting America, whose life she has saved,
and who returns her passion. Her cousin
Miss Helen Tracy intrigues to secure the
nobleman for herself, and by Orerhearing
portion of their conversation, Egypt is
led to believe that he is engaged to her
cousin. She then runs away from home Ia
seek her fortune and forgetfulness in tie
world. In the third act we find her in
Paris, where as an Egytian princess she
has gained renown not only by her beauty
and supposed illustrinus birth, but also as
an artist and an actress. She disgulses
hersely as a statue in order to oveIkear al
interview in her garden, between her for
mer lover and her cousin; they not recog
nizing her in the Parsian uotability, are
now her guests. Frightened by the sud-
den animation of the statue, the cousin
leaped into well, and Egypt fees from
Paris only to find her mother in an ole
woman with whom she had taken refuge
In the last act she returns 10 America
where the play terminates in the usua
manner Outside of few shortcoming
the piece was enacted very well on thu
first night, and rs it has character, lift
and originality it it, Miss Don cannot fai
10 be amply repaid for her labor.
Last evening Theo opened at the Fifti
Avenue. The house was packed aud the
renowned French opera bouffienne wa
made the object of an ovation. She ap.
peared in Mime. rArchiduc, and bette
play she could hardly have selected. He
voice was not of the best. II sounds thi,
and shows the marks of usage. But he
playing is simply perfect. We though
that Aimee's shrug and Paola Mariee'
arch smile were perfection. Theo com.
bines all theirs peculiarities, and adds t.
them a chic of her own, which 10 indie.
scribable. Manager Grau has raised til,
price of admission to her performances
This is an unwise move. PATHS expert.
ence of last y5ar ought to have convinced
him that a grasping policy does not pay
There is but little of interest TO recort
in the fashion world. Tartans as dres
goods are very fashionable this fall The,
are cut OH the cross, with killed skirts ant
frill below the fiouDce covered will
Irvine lace. For ladies of slender fgur
they are very becoming, but to thos
whose charms are expansive, they ar
very trying as they magnify their actua
avoirdupois. Check silks are TO be NOR
WoIu Ildn previously, tTlmlueu Will iTii
of lace in kindred shades. Tie colors ar
as rule less striking than those of til
wooden tartans, and are assim Hated o,
closely that no particular shade obtrude
itself. The latest device for ladies' hand
work, which may serve as souvenir TO b
offered to their gentlemen friends, is t,
paint monograms on satin. enalneled will
wreaths of flowers. This satin is used a
lining for silk hats and ia not alone YER
pretty for identifying ownership. Amonl
presents for young ladies number of yer,
pretty novelties are shown. One of then
Is new lace pin, made of gold and dia
monds, to initiate half opened pea pod