Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-05
LECTURES AND PLAYS
4 TALR ON CREEK POETRY By PRoYEs-
son n n. HARRIS.

Z TALK ON CkEfk PvEIhf b1 thv1 Eo-
son n. II. HARRIS.
Mr.. z. Il. Alfrispd on Henry vIII.-Dixey
az Adonis at the rheatre
Last Night
Richmond College is on the upgrade, and
our citizens arc 10 share the benefits OF ber
I progress. It has long been desire OF many
OF her friends that some OF the lectures de-
lWered by professors be somewhat popular
ized snd thrown open 10 the public. This
hope Is being realized in 4 course OF four lee
.uIes on Greek Literature by II. II. Harris.
". A., LII. d., professor Of Greek. The
subject yesterday afternoon was Dramatic
| Poetry. TIE select aud distinguished au-
dience Of ladies' and gentlemen which a..
sembed in the chapel at 4 O'Clock was we'll
mertcd compliment II The recognized
aDiliy and scholarship Of Professor Harris.
The lecturer claimed for poetry prOmi-
uence over all other arts, both IN range Of
subject and pcwer Of treatment, and for
| dramatic poetry that II stands foremost.
omblning in itself much OF the grandeur
of epic with the pathos OF lyric. He ad-
mittcd TO tho l,st Of crest dramatists but
few names IN all the worlds history. Fore
| most Of all our own Shaksreare then two
| Germans, Goethe aud Schiller; two SptD-
lsrcs, CalderOn and Lope; only one French
man, Moliere. while Greece has the dl>tir-
gulshed honor OF having produced four
/ great dramalists, all natives Of tGe same city
/ and contemporaries IN the fifty century j..
| &. The lecturer pointed out the natural,
| political, and literary circumstances which
helped 10 make at Athens this splendid out
burst Of dramatic art.
The origin and growth oftrs2edy and come
dy, both o6shoots Oi the OLD DionysiRc wor-
shin, were next interestingly tr ced. To rest
the chorus Of dancers the old poets used to
prepare episodes to be recIted by the leader.
! Then Thespis introduced a person to main-
tain dialogue with the leader. This inter
locntOr was called IN Greek bWOcyfte, and
50 the word has come TO denote one who acis
| q part pretonds 10 be what be Is rot. An
other poet had two actors, and then three;
beyond this number the Greek drama did Hot
go.
Next iolloweda description OF the theatre
| al Athens, illustrated by several photo
graphic views obtained on the spot ten years
ago, and an explanation OF the manner IN
which new play was Put upon the boards.
This could only be done once year, at the
great festival Of Diouysus, and at the ex.
pense Of some wealthy citizen who employed
chorus and actors and had them carefully
| trained Tor several mouths.
The essence OF the drama, said the lee
tureI, Is sction sprnging from motives ana
issuing in consequences. Throughout tbere
is contest first, between conflicting mo-
lives. then between man and man, aud in the
I t.rt. pf Vptla and Divine
Nemesis. 80 also at every festival there was
| a contest between rival poets. The audience
sat from early morn till eve, listenlng TO
tragedy after tragedy, ana at the close judges
previously selected awarded wreath Of
laurel as the prize.
The lecture concluded with rapid sketches
Of the great wntets-Aescbylus. Sophocles,
! and Eurlpides In tragedy; Arlstophancs,
peerless in comedy.
Many who wish TO attend these lectures
find it difficult 10 get out 10 the college st
O'Clock and express the hope that hereafter
they will begin at 4:3O o'clock.
The next lecture will be delivered on
Thursday, April 18th, and the subject will
be "Greek History and Historians"
HENRY VIII.
Mr. Edward NJ. Alirlend delivered his
ItIluTt mere Du t7udhFoItaAt AANhAy i'A'
at the Young Mems Christan Association
Hall last night under the auspices Of the
Ladies' Auxiliary. Mr.. AIfrenGs reputa-
ton as Shakspearian student and dra.
matte critic drew together most spprecis-
tive and cultivated audience, who greatly
enjoyed his scholarly manner OF treating his
subject The lecture gave evidence OF ex-
tensive research into the leading authorities
bearing upon Shakspearlan literature, ana
OF most cafefui and discrftninsting study -
the general historical facts touching Henry
VIII. II was pronounced by those compe.
tent 10 criticise q discriminating and eX-
haustive treatise, clothed In elegant English.
Mr.. Ailrend was gracefully introduced by
Mr. James Caskie.
RICHMOND TBEATRE-HENRY E. DlxEY IN
"ADONIs."
Last night at the Theatre graceful, hand
some Harry Dixey appeared fOrthe first time
in Richmond in his famous extravaganza
"huonis."
Notwithstanding the fact that il is the mid
die OF the Lenten season, splendid audience
that filed the orchestra chairs and packed
even the aisles was present. Not since the
opening OF Lent has so fashionable and cul-
tured an audience been seen in place OF
Amusement in Richmond.
Mrs. Amelie RYes Chanler, with the
Misses PleasRnts, MISS Harrison, Mr. Cham
Ter, Mr. Steger, and several friends occupied
one Of the lower boxes.
There have been few companies that have
presented az magnificent burleSque as that
given 10y Dir. Dixey's company. The acting,
the singing, the dancing were extremely At
tractiye, the costumes are rich and elective,
and the play from beginning to end was one
unbrokeu series OF beautiful stage pictures.
Several novel specialles were introduced,
among them five little boys as dude coach.
men, troop OF negro masqueraders. and the
Clipper Quartctte, who received triple en-.
core.
But OF course 1t was around DlNey that the
interest conferred. 30 graceful aud charming
dancer has never before been seen here.
The legs that set She New York theatre-gOcrs
Wild bids fair TO do the same IN this stsid Oil
town. lie is the life OF the play and keeps
his audience in a roar OF laughter or burst OF
applause all through the performance. Per-
haps the most amusing thing was his imlla-
ton Of Henry Irving, the English tragedlan,
in which character he sings the song that he
has made famous: "'lis English, You
Know" lie was compelled in TINS song 10
respond 10 repeated encOTes.
Dir. Dlxey was ably supported by Miss
Ida Bell as ralsmea, Miss Lila kavanaugh
AS Rosetta, Mr.. Herbert Gresham as the
Marquis Ce Baccarat, and MI. George W.
Howard as Bunlon TurSe.
The talent OF The principals, the strength
OF the com pany, the beauty Of the stage
setting, aud above all the grace aud versatility
OF Mr.. DixeY VIII make "Adonis" draw
crowded houses all through its engagements.
The matinee prices have been rearranged
so as to command full house saturday
afternoon.
uANCuEsTEH AND CHEsrERTIEED
InquiriRG Into ihe Cause of the Re-
cent Fire-COunty Notes.