Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-21

Il L2-,. Lx:l
Biou Theater. Maggie Mitchell
Duquesne Theater. Lawrence Barrett
Grand Opera House. Prince and Pauper
Williams Academy. Harry Williams Co
Harry Davis Museum Curiosities, etc
Worlds Museum -Curiosltles, etc
Harris Iheater---... ...-..-.-...-..M' A seaman
Standard Theater-... .-....... Miss Carrie Stanley
The above are the theatrical attractions ior
this week.
~
Miss Rosina vokes and her admirable
COMPANY have shown at the Duquesne
Theater during the past week what truly
delightful things the farce and the
comedietta are if properly played. Nothing
could be better in their way than the six
pieces which the Vokes Company appeared
in, and it is painful to know that we shall
have very few repetitions oflike artistic work
this season. There is a prevalent fashion
to sueer at farce, as if it were not true art to
make an audience laugh heartily by whole
some means as to make them cry. Brander
Mathews, In this weeks Mirror, comes
bravely to the rescue of farce. He bids us
remember that the only play of cotempor-
ary English life which Shakespeare wrote,
"The Merry Wives of Windsor" is farce,
and not a very good farce either The one
play which he borrowed from a Latin
dramatist. "The Comedy of Errors" is
q farce, and not q verv good farce.
The best of Shakespeare's farces is ''The
Tanning of tine Shrew," which has a con-
tagion of humor and a swing of move
ment lacking in the others despite ther
rapidity and their hustle. OF all the last
century stage versions OF Shakespeare the
most tolerable is Garrick's Catherine and
Petruchio." The only other farces of that
century which rival it are the delightful
High Life Below Stairs" (Which Garrick
probably wrote) and THE Critic" (which
was written by Sheridan, Garrick's sue
cessor in the management of DrurV Lane
Theater, and which drove from the stage
the earlier farce which it was founded,
"1he Rehearsal. " of the Duke of Buckingham
In the last half of the present century not a
Few OF the best of our plays are farces, and
though we NAV think lightly of those who make
us laugh, surely we ought to be grateful to
Mr.. Bronson Howard for Saratoga" 10 Mr..
Gilbert for Engaged" to MIR. Grundy for the
Snowfall" and TO Mr. Pinero for "The Magis-
trate," Two of the greatest successes of the
British stage in the past score of years have
been Pink Dominoes." an adaptation of a
French farce. and The Private Secretary" an
adaptation of German farce. Three of the
greatest successes of the American stage in the
same period have been MI. Daly's "Big
Bonanza," {" '7-2O-S' and "A Night Off," all three
of them adapted from German farces.
-
In story told. about Elsie Leslie in THE
DISPATCH the Other day it appears that an in
Justice was done the little lady. 1t was said
that Elsie Leslie has shared with Tommy Rus
sell the glory of creating the stage Little Lord
Fauntleruy." Mr.. Warner, manager of the
prince and Pauper' company saws that the
truth is that to Elale Leslie belongs the sole
glory in this case, and have no doubt that he
Is right. In the course of a con-
versation on the subject he related
the following facts: In September 1855, Man
Ager E. NJ. Field. of the Boston Museum, ar
ranged with Mr.. T. H. French for the right of
producing Little Lord Fauntleroy' at his the
1ter, and with Mr. Daniel Frohman for the
services of little Elsie Leslie to create the char
Rcter. The play run at that theater for over
four months: After The third or fourth week
of this run Manager Field, fearing the eXertion
Of constant playing of the part would be too
much for little Elsie, arranged for Tommy
Russell to replace her occasionally. He re-
hearsed the part for about two weeks and
witnessed the performance every night during
that time. After he had played the part twice
only Manager Field finding the constant work
was not detrimental to Elsie, decided to let
Tummy Russell 60, and he did not appear IN
the part again until the New York production
at the Broadway The2ter. There again little
every performance, excepting two each week,
during the run, which were given by Tommy
Russell.
80
7 Christmas week promises plenty OF variety at
the theaters Nj. Lawrence Barrett in great
repertoire of plays at. the Duquesne; Maggie
Mitchell the unfailing favorite at the Bijou,
little Elsie Leslie in a new role, at the Grand
Opera House, and novelties ot all sorts at the
other houses. 1t is worth noting that
there are nine theaters of one sort and another
in Pittshurg and Allegheny.
The most important item of theatrical news
this week has been the announcement that Mr..
Bennett, of the firm of Gulick & Co.. has OBJ
tanned control of the Library Hall Company
ent. There seems to be no doubt that Mr.. Ben
nett controls the situation, and is able to insure
the continuance of the Bijou Theater in its
present location. He said yesterday that the
lowering of the Biiou Theater to the ground
floor would certainly take place, that is
the steps which rise from behind the box Office
in the Sixth street lobby will be abolished.
When this Will he done is not yet decided. The
lease of Gullck & Co. terminates in April, 1892
main in its present condition until then, al
though Mr.. Bennett yesterday could not say
that the changes in the house would not be
made next summer.
For some months past it has been known
that Sfr. Bennett had his eyes on McVickar's
Gulick & Co. and McVickar were proceeding
when the theater was burnt down. The new
thesUeT has been offered to Quick & Co. re-
Gently. but Mr.. Bennett said yesterday that he
had no intention of taking it.
HEPBURN JOHNS.