The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-26
GOSSIP OF THE DRAMA.
An Alleged operate Novelty at the
'BiiOu.

49,
.Bijou.
NEW YORK, March 24.-The principal
novelty of the week is THE Pearl of Pekin,"
at the Bijou Opera House. Perhaps it
might be well to hedge and call it an alleged
novelty, for it is nothing more or less than
a revival of Lecocgs "Fleur de The" which
failed to hit the bufl's eye of popular APP
prevail when it was launched on New
York audience some "twesty years ago"
The present llbretto is an adaptation from
the French by Charles Alfred Byrne, form
erly editor of the defunct Dramatic Times
and the husband of Alpha Norman, the
operatic singer. The first act is rather fiat,
the second comes to spirited finale, and the
third act has a topical song by Louis Har
rlson, with the refrain II hope it won't
happen again. that made a pronounced
hit. When Mr.. Harrison (who, by the way,
impersonates Tyfoo, the principal charac-
ter,) introduced verse on the first night re-
minding the Benedicts that the late
blizzard blow of beautiful snow squared
matters all right if they stayed out
all night, but he hoped it won't happen
again, the bald headed contingent fairly
howled with delight, punched each others
ribs, and INDUCED in most eliminating winks
When Tyfoo asked for Chinese evening
newspaper and read the startling admo-
II
tician look out for dark horse, even the
dudes and critics deigned to show spark of
enthusiasm, recognizing the fact that the
"red -headed girl and white horse" epidemic
was drawing TO an end. The music of The
Pearl of Pekinn is pleasing throughout and
the Chinese costumes are simply stunning.
With the exception of Louis Harrison, the
| acting is decidedly tame. The antics of the
| four little Chinese maids are a palpable
lint faa
pleases the gallery immensely, On the
whole it is tOlOrably safe to assume that the
| opera has scored modified success.
1t is very romantic and picturesque to be
a West Point Cadet, but if you corner the
aspiring military hero at that establish
ment he will tell you that it isn't what it is
cracked up to be. If it were not for occa-
siona visits to New York the monotony of
clock work existence would become unbear-
able. The authorities are evidently awaken
ing to this fact for they actually sanctioned
| theatrical performance by professional
actors at the mess hall of the academy
| What? Real play-actors at West Point9
The surplus in the National Treasury,
| however, will not suffer. Henry Irving,
Ellen Terry and the entire Lyceum com
pany presented 1.-THE Merchant of Venice"
as complimentary performance to the
boys in blue Monday evening. This neces-
sicated a financial loss to Mr.. Irving, as he
was compelled to forfeit a nights receipts
at the Star Theater, but he was bound to
| reciprocate for the courtesies shown him on
his various visits to West Point.
1t was, indeed, a Shakespearian perform
ance of We olden times. The stage was SO
| small that stock scenery was out of the
question. Consequently the stage carpenter
returned to sixteenth century methods, and
hung up explanatory signs such as Shy
| locks Home,n "a Street, "A Court of
Justice" etc. Henry Irving is not consid-
cred an ideal "Shylock'' by the best dra-
matte critics but his brass button audience
could not have applauded him with more
enthusiasm if he had been Salvini, Booth,
| Coquelin and Barney rolled into one. In
his little speech after the performance he
expressed the opinion that the lungs of the
young gentlemen were in most health V
| condition. He woSnd up by paying them
the following compliment:
"You will pardon me if / now indulge in
a little patriotic pride The joybells are
ringing in London, probably tonight. For
| the first time British army has captured
| West Point"
| A piece of theatrical gossip that has not
yet crept into print is the misunderstood
ing between Henry Abbey and Hermann,
| the magician. It seems that Hermann
booked a week at the Star Theater. Having
played a number of engagements at other
| New Y ork theaters this season, he lntlmated
to Abbey some time ago that he would
be glad to cancel his dates Abbey,
accordingly, made arrangements for Tom
Keene to appear at the Star during the week
in question. Whereupon the would sue
ceSsor of the great Hermann, who died in
Germany last year, grasping the whip end
of the bargain, demanded 5000 to be bought
off for that period. Matters came to a eli
max, when despite his peculiar business
methods, he went to pay a social call on
Abbey last Sunday evening. The daring
Spectator declined. to see his extended hand,
and walked out of the room to the predigita-
tors great discontinue.
Mrs Potter is probably the least expert
enced, and, therefore, tine most unmanage-
able of ambitious stars. II. b. Lon. dale,
who represented Mr.. Miner on her present
tour, has thrown up the sponge in disgust,
and has been succeeded by Harry Sellers.
The great stumbling-block to Mrs. Potter's
success is the ascendency obtained over her
| by Kyrle Bellew.
One thing is certain, if II. C. Miner gains
control of "Paul Kauvar" it will turn out
to be better investment than the profits
derived from his prize society amateur.
| ALBERT ELLERY BERG