Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-01

The Easter attraction al the Ricbrr..,
Theatre Will undoubtedly excite unn,''.i
interest among play gcers FOR several re-
sons ---one being that the house has bel.
closed for almost a period OF tao vi
amusements, as result, being at 49,
minm; another being that ihcygi b,s.
m opportunity for witnessing one 60
most recent and brilliant OF New w
successes, and still another, The fact 49,.
new star, and star bearing a n.Too
reminiscent OF delightful memories VII
sue for their favor. ''''
No more welcome viHitor ever cs,,o A.
this city than the late f. A. Sotbern y,
"Ned Sothern, As bis friends CALI
him. His Dundreary," david c.
rick" and "Crushed Tragedisn" w..
treats never to be forgotten by those xbo
enjoyed them, and it was supposed a. 80
time of his death that they could no. 5o
duplicated. And yet here comes h.s.o,
in the " Highest Bidder treading ~
closely, even at this early portion n m,
stage career, in his fathers foot.t.,,
that both critics and the public bage
hailed him as the legitimate success q
the great Dnudreary." and hoy. 40
hesitsted 10 assert that in very - p,
while he will undoubtedly surua,, ia
extraordinary popularity achieved owl,
lamented sire. He is described a. yoras
exceedingly handsome, and tho po,se..0-
of genuine mettle. In one thing. irl,.
ing from competent criticism, be- alre,0v
SURPRISES his illustrious parent %
quality is versatility. The elder so,b,-,
was fdrc6Ur OF the most brillart,-r.
but he never had serious dramatic fr..
ments. His son. beside the inim.tst.e
comedy talent which comes % i.m Iv
inheritance, exhibits an aptitude g.,
higher work. and grasps a strong stsa.
ton with force which was beyond ls
father. He possesses the rare combine.
ton OF genuine humor and exquisite
pathos, and his rate in "Ihe Hgl..,
Bidder, " a comedy-hero with q re.ie,a,
dash Of sentiment in his compassion.
brings out what is best In him.
1t may be- mentioned that "rhe H.gb.
est Bidder was written originally Gr
the elder Sothern, but owing % lack n
favorable opportunity was never rre-
scented by him. Ii Is the joint wora or
Madison Morton and Robert Keecc. w.
English authors Of excellent replte 4.
was produced at the Lyccum Theatre.
New York, with young Sothem Do tae
leading rate, and ran 10 crowded houses
for something over lGOnighrs. 1hceltl.
siasm which greeted it then has since been
manifested wherever the play has le,s
presented. Critics speak of tie company
as being equalled only by Charlie WV.
hams celebrated English comedians ..l
Augustine Days famous New l0r, Oh.
ganization. AS an evidence OF she cg-
cellent work done 10y them It NAV hcs..l
that in Boston the entire company wlrs
recently called before the curtain urs
times IN the course OF single perform.
ance, and young Sothern alone las r..
quently been called half dozen uu.- a.
the close OF the second act, an act whoa
is described as exceedingly ro,e. lll
forcible. This Is ample evidence ,Ia.
clean and wholesome comedy ls apra
ciated by the public, and The nll.o.
Bidder" is comedy OF the most rei-s,
type. excruciatingly funny, bat minus
the horse-play and buttoonery which d.s-
figure so much OF the stage wor4 u g..
day.
This will be the first company .s.a
here from the Lyceum Theatre q house
which ranks as the mira fashioushs
amusement place Of New York. The..
tre-gOers will, Therefore, have a cLal.s
of Judging the work done at that noted
playhouse. The company vii he .I-
cellent IN every particular. It's m.,
can be estimated from the fact that Do ,.
cludes. among others, C.. B. Bishop D
rare old comedian, with "a host Of follow
ers. His "Widow Bedost is still o. 30
in many minds In 1.-The Highest
Bidder" he has one Of the finest pats
which has yet fallen 70 him, ami maa,3
the most OF it. Other members Of 'ae
cast are Herbert Archer, W b. Royt. p,
Rowland Blackstone Ia son Of Blackstone
the famous English comedian), Belle
Archer, q noted stage beauty, Maud
Mowbray, and Ethelyn Friend. A mem
Der Of the company worthy Of passing
notice is Eugene Sanger. the famur,
messenger-boy who, last August, de-
livered IA London sOUUenirs Of the ous-
hundreth performance of 1.-The HiqL,.
Bidder" He is the only mesceuger-ioY
who ever crossed the ocean in conueci.ou
with bis duties. In London he pre-.
scented elaborate souvenirs 10 the Prince
of Wales, Gladstone, Labouchar,
Henry Irving, and a host Of other 20.
liabilities who had been friends All al.
mirers of the elder Sothern.
The company viii give performances
on next Thursday, Friday, and Ss,ur-
day evenings, and at the Saturday hat.
moo