Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-10-05
MUSIC lkD The DRAMA.
OLD MINSTREL FAvoRITEs TAKING a
HIGHER GRADE.
Eight Cageless Lions on the Stage at
Niblo's-Denman Ihompson's Snug
Fortune-Stage Notes.

Perhaps no names are so widely or
favorably known to the lovers of modern
minstrelsy as those of Barney Pagan and
Bob Slavin. Both have been the leaders in
their respective lines for the past decade
one as deviser Of picturesque dances and
drills. the other as grotesque character
comedian. The two have decided to dis
card black face and concentrate their
talents in the presentation Of spectacular
farce comedy. Pagan will look after the
spectacular and musical end of the enter
tainment and attempt, with the pliable
forms of graceful and pretty women, novel
terpschorean displays fashioned somewhat
after what he has already succeeded in
accomplishing with unwieldly men. The
venture will be under the immediate man
agement of E. g. Gilmore, one of the
owners of the New York Academy of
Music, and Alexander Comstock, business
manager of that house, two of New York's
most successful managers. A farce comedy
is now being written which will furnish
the ex. minstrels with illimitable scope for
creating diversion IN their different de-
partments. The step is not an unimport-
and one, and is likely to possess the double
result of lifting Pagan and Slavin out OF
and above minstrelsy to that place in the
front ranks of legitimate amusements to
which their individual creative talents
justly entitle them, and, incidentally, add
ing considerably to their exchequers as
well as to those OF the shrewd men who
are to manage the unique enterprise. The
purpose Of the projectors of the new form
Of entertainment will be TO mingle with
all the spectacular beauties of an extrava-
ganza the element of grotesque fun which
contributes so materially to the success Of
farce comedy. The title of the play in
which the famous pair are to appear is
suggestive of good things. 1t is "A High
Roller"
DENMAN THOMPSON,
1t is not probable that Denman Thomp-
son will ever again be seen on the road.
His sold Homestead" now about to begin
its fourth year at the New York Academy,
promises to become a fixture in the me-
tropolis and has already yielded him
princely fortune In addition to this he
has snug income from his road company.
Besides, Denman is advancing in years,
being now nigh three score. While the
veteran actors generosity is proverbial, he
still believes in keeping the golden fruits
of his grand play within his own family.
Two daughters and son were members of
the Academy company last year, and
ings were made for them in the prosperous
road company of which his son-in.law, E.
A. Mcfarland is manager. Mr.. Thomp-
sons new play, 'The Two Sisters" does
not seem to possess as many glorious beau.
ties as the 'Old Homestead" 1t has been
on the road two seasons. and has not thus
far increased the bank account of Uncle
Joshua to any great extent. Its present
seasons tour will be confined to the
smaller towns. OF course Denman Thomp-
son never goes with it. He devotes three
fourths of each year to appearing in the
"Old Homestead" at the Academy, and re-
tires to his farm in Swansea during the
three warmer months.
LIONS ON THE STAGE.
Preparations are fast being completed
for the stupendous production at Niblo's,
New York City, about the middle of Oc-
tober, of Nero" the new spectacular
drama to be brought out by Locke &
Davis. The dramatic material for the
new work is taken from Eckstein's recent
valuable resume of early Roman his
tory. A realistic feature of the pro-
duction which will set New York agog
will be the introduction in the arena
scene of eight cageless lions, handled by
Professor Darling, an intrepid lion tanner
Of Paris. For the protection Of the au-
dience during the arena scene, skeleton
curtain, consisting of network Of solid
steel, will be lowered between the stage
and the auditorium. The services of 500
people will be enlisted in the production,
which, it is claimed, will entail an outlay
of $4,000.
STAGE NOTES.
"The Crystal Slipper" is drawing crowded
houses in San Francisco.
Miss Hattie Delaro-Barnes has arrived
in New York from San Francisco.
Franklin Fyles' play Overlook" has
scored a brilliant success at Hartford.
Sully's "The Millionaire" is now an
nounced as Sully'S StupendouS Success.
Frank C. Fritz Thayer has been en-
gagged to go in advance of Janauschek this
season.
Fannie Davenport has been i'll for the
past fortnight at the Westminster Hotel
with pneumonia.
"All the Comforts of Home," as COM
edy attraction, is going to dim the lustre
of 'The Private Secretary"
Sara Bernhardt will play Sardou's Cleo
patra during her engagement in New York,
which will begin on February 9th.
W. H. Crane says that the American
public is huugrier for American plays Just
now than at any time within his recollec-
ton.
Dan Sully seems to have big fortune
in "The Millionaire" which so far has
coined more money for him than any of
his former successes.
"The Tale of Coat" has wisely been
shelved and Sol Smith Russell is now seen
to advantage in his successful "Poor Rela-
ton" at Daly's in New York.
"The Clemenceau Case" with its
breathing, nude-like model Of Alexander
Dumas voluptuous creation, la, is draw
ing morbid crowds to the Standard, New
York.
Violet Mascotte and her company are
busily engaged in rehearsing "The Corker."
Ernest Reitter has been engaged as musi-
cal director, and this completed the or
ganization.
Nothing hike the Liliputians in their
gorgeous fairy burlesque, "The Pupil in
Magic" at Niblo's, has ever before been
seen in New York, and nothing could be
more successful.
Miss Addie c. Davis, an exceedingly
clever and pretty actress, who has not been
seen on the stage for some time, will return
to it soon. She is now in New York, and
as she has now announced her intention,
she will soon enough find manager.
A good man has started business in Lon
don as a ballet-girl evangelist" and de-
votes himself to awaking the moral sense
OF the airy-costumed coryphees who pi-
rouette about the stage to the delight of
the bald-headed contingent in the front
rows.
The high stiff hat that Richard Golden
wears in the third act of "Old Jed Proutyo