Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-05
GOSSIP OF THE STAGE.
"Aitka" the Town Talk Since It's Pre-
sentatiOn a Fortnight Ago.

NEW YORK, July 3. - The late
eccentric Mr.. Carleton wrote some
years ago a play called "Zitka," :"
which he offered to a number OF mana
gers, not one of whom would touch it. He
died suddenly and miserably, but he left
this play as heritage to his little daugh-
ter. Some friends of hers succeeded in
calling Mr.. Harry Miners attention to it.
lie produced 1t at the Peoples Theatre
fortnight ago, and it is now the opinion of
actors and managers that there is an
enormous fortune in it.. 1t has been the
town talk ever since the first night. 1t
mas drawn immense assemDlageS OF peo-
pie OF both sexes, and it has by them been
hailed with delight
In spite of all this, it is necessary to say
that the play is one of the most fragrant
| violations OF good taste and dramatic art
that have even seen. Its very cleVernesS
OF construction aud ingenuity of incident
only add to its moral Nervousness, Tor its
hero Is blackguard at heart and its
heroine an animal that appears TO be gov
erned in her destiny by her desires. This
hero is introduced to us IN the character
of ruthan, who assaults and violates an
innocent girl while his drunken compan-
ions make noise to drown her screams.
This girl is the heroine.
That a play with this text of character
should be regarded with interest by mixed
audiences, and praised for its audaci0us
clevernesS by actors, is a sad commentary
on the taste OF theatre-gOers.
have heard intelligent PLAYERS in dis
cussing it declare that anything is allow
able in drama so long as it is made in
teresting.
Whatan astounding pagan doctrine this
is. 1t takes US back in one phrase to the
Roman theatre, when pubic interest was
measured by blood and vice. 1t looks for
ward to the time when the pedestal of art
will reek with the infamy of real life.
Against this pagan drama there has
been set one other show during the week
which has given us the absolute realisms
OF our borders, and in its wholesome Viriie
outdoor actuality hut shamed the sophist
cations of cheap dramatists.
l refer to Buffalo Bill's wild West"
| saw it on Staten Island the day it
| opened. There were $4,000 people there. 1t
realized in the assemblage and in the
| bravery of the actors the best days OF the
Roman arena. But there was no trick,
no theatrical illusion. These men did in
the open sunlight exactly what they did
on the great plains, and the spectators
thrilled at the sight OF Indians and cow
boys flying like the wind on fleet horses.
The bravery and skill exhibited on horse
back shame the claptrap Of the circus.
If you want to realize that famous de-
scriptiOn in John Brent ofthe ride TO the
LuggeWell Springs, you mus tsee Buffalo
Bill on his horse in the open.
This show, | understand, is going to the
Champ de Mars in Paris, and can readily
imagine the FreDchmen going wild over
it. They have never seen anything like it,
and Bedouin, Tartar or Marmaduke never
rode as these men ride.
Maurice Barrymore turned up suddenly
at the Union Square Hotel on Monday.
This gifted and erratic genius, the author
of "Nadjesda" and 1.-The DOM is one of
the most popular men in the profession.
He had not been in town an hour before
he was overwhelmed with friends. saw
him at the Morton House and he had 100
men round him. He's mans man, All
men seem to have a fondness for him. 1T
is difficult to say why this is so. The best
wrestler. the best diner, the latest night
OWL, the cleVerest OF our young drama
lists, the most fascinating talker, the most
utter Bohemian, the most continuous wine
drinker and the most superb gentleman,
he exerts kind of spell in a large mas
culine set. Symposia begins when he
gets here. A new opera is sticking out of
his pocket.
In company with all the fellows who
know what cleyerness and independence
are | take my hat off and welcome him.
NYM CRINKIE.