Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-29
THEATRE AND ACADEMY.
Opera Mt the Former; Frederick Warde Mt
the Latter Place.

An audience larger if possible than that
which greeted the first nights performance
of The Wife, showered tears and laugh
ter last night upon Mr.. Frederick Warde's
rendition of the difficult r0eof " Belphegorr
the MOuntebank "a fine old piece, played
from Mr.. Warde's own translation and re-
vived after long disappearance from the
stage.
The story of "The Mountebank" can
be told in a few words. Belphegor, a
strolling gymnast, has a wife and children
whom he dearly loves. His wife Is the
daughter of a noble house, although he
does not know it when he marries her. In
the course Of the play her relatives per-
suade her TO leave her husband for the
sake of her sick child, whose life she. con-
sders il impossible to save unless she IS
provided with luXuries beyond the means
of her husband. The rest of the action OF
the piece shows the endeavors Of Belphe-
gor to recover his wife and child, which ne
eventually does. There is much dramatic
humor and pathOs at the beginning OF the
piece, which is resolved into tragic action
of the most sombre nature subsequently:
Mr. Warde is even morepowertul than OF
yore. His part in The Mountebank tts
him well. and he looks and acts like the
natures nobleman he is supposed TO be.
There Is no doubt that in The MOunte-
tion 20 his extensive repertory.
Miss Stella Rees plays Madelaine. Bel
phegOr's wife, with tact and feeling. she
is a clever actress. and IN a deeply emo
tional part. such as this IS, she shines 10
decided advantage. She gives full support
TO the star throughout Miss Gerte Nc
Gill. as the boy Henri, does excellent work.
Mr.. Wilfred Clarke. a brother of Creston
Clarke. is more than clever comedian,
aud his part Of Faufaronade. the clown.
provoked much mirth. Mr.. Clay Clement
as Lavcreunes acted with both studious
care and perfect naturalness. In fact;
every member of the cast was fully equal
to his or her part. aud the performance in
itscntirety will easily rank as one Of the
memorable events Of the present thcatri-
cal season. Indulgence in tears, laughter
loud applause, ana curtain-calls was the
Kaleidoscope part that the audience
Tonight will be given "yirginus."
FALRA.
The MacCollin Company presented at
the Theatre last night "Falka," Cas-a.gne' 5
pretty musical opera. Il is full of lyric
gems that sparkle in rich orchestral set
ting. There is very beautiful trio for
Tancred. Edwige, and Bolcslas IN tho
second act. and a fine quickstep, the theme
Of which appears over and over again IN
other parts of the score. talka ls, Rs
a whole. q very attractive work and would
be Il fay0rite with any people.
The MacCollin company gave satisfac-
tory rendition Of the.opcra. Miss Fannie
Hall. who has a strong and brilliant so
prano. made a pretty, yiyacious talka.
She made a hit with the famous song
Petit Blen,n ~ which was introduced IN the
second act Mr. Arthur T.. Miller, an un-
usually good baritone. sang the part OF
Boleslas with much spirit. Alr. W. H..
Ford. though not particularly clever in his
r6le (Tancredl. sang Whites charming bal
lad. Marguerite" which was introdnced
IL the third act, very artistcally. Mr. j.; L.
Smith. i'm the comedy part Lay-Brother
Pelican. by his grotesque makeup and
smart comedy seemed 10 particularly tickle
the audience. @,
The company, though not numerically
strong. are capable Of good operate work.
Tonight The Bcggar Student" VIII be
o r.4rf IN