Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-19
ROSaLIyD MAYS LETTER FROM
NEW YORK.
Stage, and New Plays and
Authors.

Broadway Theater. All three operettas
are expected to entertain the public dur
ing the summer, when the closing of the
other places of amusement, and the dis
tance of Coney Island, renders il desirable
that something should be at hand to while
away the dreary hours for s;av-at-homes f:
the Casino, however, having the advantage
of that lovely roof garden, which is once
more thrown open on the 18th inst and
where each night supplementary concert
will be given.
At the theaters attractions still linger /;
notably Rosina Vokes at DAYS. The
Wife is given at the Lyceum until May
18th, when the pretty little house closes
till fall. Even the old Homestead's' last
DAYS are announced, although they run
we'll into June, while at other theaters.
strolling companies or doubtful ventures
fill up the time until summer heat extin-
guishes one and all. On the list of doubt
ful ventures, Robert Elsmere' at the
Union Square may safely be classed, or
strictly speaking, scarce doubtful. since its
collapse was so immediate as to necessitate
the announcement of play which as vet
is on the dubious list-'Old Jed Proudv.i
1t were unkind to say in advance. that it
is inspired by the odd Homestead yet
the term features of New England life
point that way, and cause apprehension as
to yet another imitation. j. X. Emmett.
at the Fourteenth-street Theater, has had
a successful time Robson and Crane, at
the Star as well, while reproduction of
the Black Crook considerably shorn of
original glory, drags its length at the
Standard Theater
AT the Madison Square Theater Cap
tain Swift is replaced by Leatherbrain,
comedy, in which the principal role
might be PLAYED much better than it is by
Minnie Maddern. The piece had consid-
erable success abroad, and at one time Mr..
Frohman contemplated producing it at
the Lyceum. In Miss Maddern's hands it
cannot be called failure; the audiences
of the present are apparently satisfied by
their evenings entertainment, and fortu-
nately are not too critical. \ spiral stair
case, introduced with considerable clever
ness, seems to be regarded as the master
piece of the production, and for such pur-
pose the double stage of the theater is par
ticularly well adapted. Next week | will
send special notice of the three new op.
erettas."
NOTES.
Sarah Bernhardts great triumph in
Lena" the French version of % As in a
Looking glass;" is won in the death scene,
which, all the critics agree, is wonderful
piece of acting. One of them, in his ac-
count of it, says: Sarah has killed her
self so often that a hushed expectation
filled the audience How would She die ?
She died as she had never died before
which is saying good deal. Not a word,
not sound escapes her lips from the mo-
ment she remains alone with her despair
she hesitates before 4 dagger, moves to a
cabinet, takes phial, pours the contents
into a cup and drinks it. With automatic
steps she then seeks the diary in which her
confession is recorded, and adds few lines.
Once her head falls forward on the book ;
the somnolence of the drug is on her al
ready; she rises-her face rigid in the
lamplight, her limbs heavy, her motions
slower and slower: she has yet the dumb
instinct to grope for Ramsay's picture; it
drops from her unconscious hands and she
falls sitting on couch, her head thrown
back. She is now reused by loud knockings
and calls at the door; only once, when
Ramsay's voice tells her she is forgiven.
she lifts herself for an instant, Only to sink
again. When at last the door is broken
open and her husband rushes to her side
and touches her, she falls forward and lies
PROSTATE on the ground. The effect of
this mute, silent scene is indescri bable."
A New York dramatic critic makes this
startling cut at the dramatic cheek of
certain adapters: "Since the published
protest of Mrs. Humphrey Ward against
trying to turn her undramatic novel into
drama, William Gillettes name has been
dropped and we are now informed that
Robert Elsmere is founded upon the fa-
nous novel by 'adapters employed upon
the work We are also informed that it
has been necessary'-like the French
Judge, we do not see the necessity-'to
make some slight departure from the story
and to vary several of the minor charac-
ters.' This is cool Some slight depart
ure! Vary several of the minor charac-
tiers Why, the play is no more like the
novel than soap is like cheese"
Sydney Pridmore is the latest London
magician. One of his tricks, performed
before the Prince of Wales, is novel in
method. He rolled and lit a cigarette
and, while he smoked, Lord Howe selected
one card from new pack; tore it into
eight pieces; kept one piece and handed
seven to Mr.. Pridmore, who put them in
his mouth, pulled out seven jets of smoke
and then opened the cigarette. There
was the card, intact, except that the piece
held by Lord Howe was missing The
Lord only knows Howe that was done p
exclaimed the Prince, and the distin-
guished party applauded the royal wit.
Says the dramatic editor of the New
York Spirit Of the Times: "We regret to
record the death of D. G. Croly. For sew
eral years, in retirement on account of
illness, he has been best known as the
husband of Jennie June But, long ago,
he made splendid reputation as an able
journalist and was managing editor of the
World and of the Graphic Mr.. Croly
came little before his time. Had he
been born twenty years later he would
have been appreciated"
The injury sustained by Lotta by her
fall on May Sd at Easton proves to be
simple fracture of small bone in the lower
part of her back. She will be confined to
her room for about two weeks, and will not
act again this season. Her present inten-
ton is to make an extended pleasure tour
Of Europe, and it is probable that she will
not be seen on the stage again for more
than year.
The sudden death of Carl Rosa, says the
Spirit of the Times, is bitter blow to the
English opera. America gave Parepa
wealth; she bestowed it and her hand upon
Carl Rosa, and he devoted his life to the
resurrection of grand English Opera
which is very different from grand opera
in English. VIII it die again with him or
has he inspired it with his own energy and
courage?
The only notice taken by the managers
of theaters in New York of the Centennial
was at the Windsor, when tableau of the
apotheosis of Washington and the Goddess
If Liberty was displayed in the third act
of keppler's Fortunes" and "The Star
spangied Banner was sung by the COM
oany.
The opening of the new California The
iter IN San Francisco, on Monday night
asst, was an event which will live long in
he annals of the stage on this coast.