Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-28

| BIJoU THFATER Oliver Byron.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE. .Efhe Ellsler.
| HARRIS THEATER... .."Fort Doneison.' VI
| ACADEMY OF MUSIC. 80. Partisan Folly Company.
WORLDS MUSEUM. ....Curiosities, Etc.
DAVIS FIFTH AVENUE MUSEUM. .Curiosities. Etc.
The above are the theatrical attractions foI
this week.
The papers are full of stories about Dion
Boucicault In the Mirror. Sol. Smith Rus.
| sell tells a very pathetic tale of the great
dramatists last days.
"People are saying that Mr. Boucicault died
Of broken heart. caused by the failure Of "A
Tale of Coat" said Mf. Russell, land, fgur.
atively speaking, believe this to be true. One
day he called me TO his house and told me the
story of "A Tale of Coat or as 1t was then
calico, James Watt, Tailor liked it I
could do justice to. and Mr.. Boncicault beg an
work on the play that was to answer his critics
just year ago."
well. time went on and the play was COM
pleted.
Several titles were suggested for the plav-
dozen at least. James Watt Tailor; The
Crank, The Golden Crank, Jenny Watt. and
finally, A Tale of a Coat, which was adopted.
Mr.: Boucicault. however, never liked this title,
and afterward thought 1t had something to do
with the failure. That is why we kept chang
ing the advertisements in the papers, making
real title.
In Philadelphia "a Tale of Coat" had .
highly successful production. The papers
praised it and the people focked to see it.
"But in New York." MI Russell continues;
failure, dire and complete came. Several of
the critics pronounced the play bad. hurried
up to Mr.. Boucicault's house, and found him
sitting in detected manner in his study,
rOund him.
Two weeks passed and the success did not
come. Persons outside began to criticise the
play and the business fell off rapidly. But
still persevered. AT last, when the receipts
at the box Office fell below the expense my
wife and my friends urged me to take off Mr.
Bouoicault's play and substitute "A Poor Re-
lation.' And was compelled to yield"
Mr.. Russell had a touching interview with
Boucicault after this. He had hoped for a tri-
umph with the new play to confound the
critics who persisted in saying that Bouccaups
really seems to have killed him. The story of
Bouoicaults life, his studious childhood, his
wonderful success while yeta boy as the author
Sheridan's ''School for Scandal" and his check
cred career all over the world, would make q
more sensational play than any written by him.
Emma Abbott and her new grand opera
company will fill next week at the Bijou, be-
ginning Monday, October g. Good accounts
are given of the prima and her new company
this season. After studying all summer in
Paris under Mrs Viardat and Mrs. LAGRANGE,
with severe practice daily. Miss Abbott re.
turned home in prime condition, vocally and
physically, and is now credited with brilliant
work. She has wholly recovered from the eff
fects of Ia grippe, which had certain hold
on her when she was here last season and which
came near pulling her from the stage at that
time. The company is materially changed from
that of last season. The list of principals dis
closes number CT names wholly new to the
Abbott roster, though number of the for.
ner favorites remain. The list is: Alb
Bot Apgna55d,alss, ga5d,s, Mirella, Miehelena,
Broderiok, Karl, Ready, Borovik, Brown,
e. NJ [Miss) Broderick, Ellerington. and Herr
Albert Krausse, director. The chorus is said to |
be much larger, stronger and better than that
# last year and the regular orchestra numbers
Is chosen performers. The repertoire for the |
week is. Monday. "Faust:" Tuesday, "Er- |
1ani'' Wednesday matinee, Bohemian Girl"
Wednesday night, I'll Trovatore;" Thursday, |
Fra Diavolo;" Friday, Masked Bali:' Satur- |
lay matinee, MARTHA" with Abbott's Last |
Rose of Summer Saturday night, Bohemian |
SirL"