The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-27

Revival OF Old English Comedy-"southern
Embellishments"

The following notice of the Ford English
Opera Company. that Is to appear here at the
Theatre next week, October LIST. is from the
pen OF Miss N. l.. Malloy. the lody critic of
the Baltimore American: The appearance OF
tho English Comedy Company in She Stoops
to Conquer" last night marks q new era now
beginning on the stage. 90 wild and rlotous
has been the reign Of farce upon the stage
that genuine comedy has we'll nigh vanished:
but as it Is nature after all that lasts. life as
it is lived. not its preposterous parody or ex-
travaeant buriesque, the reaction has set the
tide Of appreciation in a freshened flow to-
wards real co~medy-the comedy OF character
and of human nature.
The part of Tony Lumpkin is one in which
eminent comedians have shone. Wltred
Clarke, by his rendition Of it, can Justly claim
high rank among them. First and foremost
he ful6ls Goldsmiths own test, tor he
makes you laugh exceedingly" His art Is
that Of the artist born, not made.
Miss Martha Ford makes a charming Kate
Hsrdc,stle. and whether in the pretend
ed high flown sententiousness Of the lady or
the affected demure c~oquetry Of tho mad,
shows a power and grace III her delineatlon on
Miss Hardcsstle that stamps her as among
the most promising OK our younger actresses.
A strong feature Of her performance IS the
suggestion OF reserve force ABOUT even her
lightest comedy scenes.
She invests the entire role with an ease thar
is graceful and an earnestness that Is aQle'
| and it is no more than right to say that her
work in this part bears evidence that her
natural talents require only the ripening
touch of experience to give her the highest
rank.
| As Young Mariowe. Walter Hale made a de-
cidsd hit. especially in tho scene where Dash
fulness makes him a victim 10 its pangs. At.
Hsle's acting has q manliness OF style whlch
Is very attractive, united to en- intelligence
that made bis portrait of Young LarlOwea
| piece of fine work in its varying phases or
the da.hing young man Of fashion. the bashtul
| wooer aud the honorable lover, there was Just
| enough OF youthful audaclty and swagger not
to spoil the impression OF the innate gehtIo-
NAB.
Miss Adolla Sawyer has youth, beauty and
| ~viyscity. and played the frolicsome Constance
! Neyiii with attractive sprighthness. she was
especially good IN her scenes with the reluc-
tant Tony and in her pottish submission 10
her aunt.
Miss Mar was excellent as Mrs. Hardcastle
and her passion with her tricky son and
her fright az the supposed highwayman
provoked great laughter. while Mr.. MCLEAN
min was capital as old Hardcastle. Mr.. >. y.
Calvert gavo a markedly individual rendition
of the part of Hastings and showed capacity
| for genuine good work. All the rest did vel,
especially r. G. Chamberlin, as Diggory. The
play was followed by the farce, Poor Pill
! coddy." in which Wilfred Clarke, AS fiHi.
coddy, was simply inimitable. well matched
by w. II. Bokee IA. Captain O'Scuttle. Mss
Iackey. as Mrs. O'Scuttle, was very 9rlsnt.
Both the performances were received with
enthusiasm by A large and brilliant audience
and frequent recalls.
"a SOUTHERN ROSY"
Monday and Tuesday the Theatre will be
opened by Miss Ada Melrose in "A Southern
Rose Miss Melrose is a clever soubrstte
well known from her rendition of Siebel in
'Fanst Up to Date" 1t is claimed that her
company is q good one. They carry a fine
brass band. which gives q free concert Mon
day evening at 3 in the Capitol Square.
The pet dog and trained pony used IN the
piece are fine specimens. and never forget
their lines.
'KIsDERoARDEN."
The Kindergarten, now in the fifth
season. is the attraction Wednesday night at
the Theatre. 1t is said that MIR. A.. \. q.
Pesrce. as the Professor - funny, that be 10
ably seconded by c.. f.. White as The Grin
der. and the balance of the company good;
Tho piece Is full of funny situations. and
added to clever songs md dances. Will while
away several hours very pleasantly.
JEFFERSON AND FLORENCE.
The Jefferson Florence Comedy Company
begin an engagement at the Mozart Academy
October 5th. The company this year 10
stronger than ever, and brilliant audiences
Will be seen "a each performance. In the
cast arc. Joseph Jefferson. J. II. Barnes. W.
r. Owen. George w. Denham. fitZhugh
Ownsiev, Joseph Warren. W. J. Florence,
Mrs. John Drew, Yiola Allen. Fanny Den
ham Rouse. Stella Teuton, II. w. Odlin,
Joseph Logan.
"sUS's SXw PHANTAsMA."
Friday and Saturday. October I'd and Sd,
the Mozart Academy will lie occupied by a
unique and novel entertainment called sun
New PhantasmA." The performance is OF the
vaudeville kind. and comes well recon-
mended. The programme abounds III novel,
attractive and m%ystifyiug features. There
will be a Saturday matinee. Tickets go on
sale next Thursday morning.
694rH MUSICALE.
The programme for tomorrow evenings
Mozart musicale will be rendered by the
"Hermes" operate and Ballad Quartet
consisting Of the we'll known artists, Miss
Eleanor Beebe. soprano: Miss Louise Murray,
contraltO: Mr.. Thomas Ebert, tenor. and Mr..
William T.. Harper, basso. Mr.. Jacob Rein
hardt accompanies. Programme:
/. Quartet. Spinning Wheel, Martha (Flo-
tow. 9. Song. selected. Mr.. W. F.. Harper.
3. Madrigal. Yeoman Of the Guard lSulli-
van. 4. Song, selected. Miss Eleanor Beebe.
s Duet. Lily of Killarney benedict. g.
Song. Like a Dream, Martha (FlotOw) Mr.
Ebert. Z. Quartet. One Morn, Rigolettc
Verdi. g. Song, selected, Miss Louise Muir
raw. .. Trio. Hawthorn in the Glade, May
Queen IS. Bennett. Miss Beebe, Mr. Ebert
and Mr. Harper. 10. Song. Hall. Thou
DwelHng Faust GOunOd). Mr.. Ebert. ii.