The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-15
THE NEW YORK STAGE.
srHE POINTS OF THE NEW PLAY. "A
POSSIBLE CASE"
The Ludicrous Hamlet OF James owen
o'Connor-The Death OF Lillian Oh
oott-Dalvs Last Night at the Art Ex-
hibitions,
colrespondenee Of The Apreal.

Correspondence Of The Appeal
NEw YoRK, April ll.-Sydney Rosen-
fields new play "a Possible Case, " which
was TO have been produced at the Inflated
Union Square theater, had its first New
York performance at the Standard Mon
day night II is q ilimsy, valueless piece,
which turns ON the matrimonial entangle-
mcnts resultant from the peculiar laws OF
different States. The play, or more prop
erly the farce, abounds in laughter-pro-
voking situations and complications, and
in this lies il only merit. NJ. A. Kennedy
plays the leading part-that Of Bricker-
hoh-very cleyerly, and does much to
keep the audience in constant state ol
laughter. Some ''gagging" and a consid-
cradle amount OF the latest slang condemn
the play to the rank OF other frivolous
efforts Of similar nature.
The most ludcrous affair since the mem
0rable debut OF the Count Joannes several
years ago Is the performance OF Hamlet
by one james Owen O'Connor ut the Star
theater. This unfortunate man, whose
very appearance and gestures on the stage
are absurdly ridiculous, has either fallen
under some spell on Is positively insane.
There Is no earthly reason why lac should
ever have gone on the stage for he cannot
act "a little bit l." Yet he essays nothing
less than 'Ilamlet." This in spite OF the
most unanimously ripping attacks OF the
entire press. Some idea OF OConnor's
lunatic conception Of the part may be had
when il is known that for the first act or
two the audience shrieked and roared with
laughter at what was worse than u bur
lcsque. Disgust and commisscration soon
succeeded the feeling Of amusement and
more than hall the people left the thoatcr
feeling that they had been listening 10 n
very melancholy specimen OF crank.
The advent oil this dramatic freak" has
been very deliberately advertised and what
with the press notices from England and
lavish display Of transparcncies and bill
posters we were prepared, at least, for an
actor who had claims for serious consider
alton OF his work One can only
feel sorry for the poor misguided
wretch acting like monkey be-
fore n house OF empty benches and
besides paying an exorbitant price for the
privilege OF doing so. Some go so far rs 10
say that there Is method In his madness, "
and that ho counted on the very badness
Of his acting 10 attract audiences who
would go out OF mere curiosity, Us they
did when Joanncs was sinking his ducats
in similar venture. The supper. is al
most M bad M O'Connor, and sometimes
iianyihing, moro untamed than this newly
discovered "star."
The death OF Lillian 0lcott the ambi-
tious young actress who first came into
prominence through her performance OF
Theodore" was genuine shock 30 her
many friends Possessed OF considerable
talent and indomitable perseverance,, she
needed but few years more experience
a. give her high position on the stage.
She was n typical American girl. and TO
her willfnl aud characteristic Indifference
to cautionary warnings Of her physicians
may be indirectly attributed the cause OF
her death. Miss Olcott was the daughter
Of Dr. Cornelius Olcott, Of Bedford NV
enue, Brooklyn. The family IL very highly
besides being In niiiuent cir
love for the dramatic art, and her CONT
dcncc in her own marked ability ever in
duccd this charming girl 10 become an
actress. The Olcotts have q very pretty
country house up at Greenwood Lake, and
IL WIS liltfc, utlNftu lilt uoutn utNoNcu W
exhilarating outdoor sports, that Miss ILL
ian did much Of her preparatory work for
tho stage. She was AN accomplished horse
woman, good shot, and was said 10 be
extremely clever In pulling boat
The last night OF the season at Daly's on
Saturday wns the occasion Of an elaborate
farewell. An epilogue by Edward faw-
cett, full Of weak lines, with many at
tempted local hits, was spoken by the
company after the final curtain OF the
"Midsummers Night Dream" Mr.. Faw-
cctts verse was more wctched than ever,
aud the bad effect was only emphasized
by tho close contact with Shakespeare
music.
American artists are having everything
their own way just now. The Spring
academy IL by far the best show ever
seen In the Venetian building In Twenty
third street, and one which reflects infinite
credit on the men represented. AZ th,
Yundell galleries In Fifth avenue isanotheI
fine exhibition, that OF the American 40
cicty. while Henry 4. Chapman's collcc
ton, which u now being shown, comprises
many good works Of native ARTISTS Tn,
more recent sales Of the Rook and kcarne,
collections brought only moderate prices io
the foreign works, and Il Is TO be hoped tina
the proper recognition Of American art Il
q possibility Of the near future.
| The present craze over the wild Moor
at Barnum's and the pretty Spanish bale
dancer nj Niblo's gives 10 the New Yorl
| public dash Of that taste which Ia preva
lent In oil European cities, but more CO
pccially NO In Paris. The ballcnne I
pretty, graceful, and above all youthful
4 N Il Il. l.. A 4. a
prcmiercs who Is not an antique"