The record-union., 1891-03-15
MUSIC And DRAMA.
How the People of New York Are
Being Entertained.
Tho Greatest Actor of tho New world
and the Greatest Actress of the Old
The Tittell sisters-General Stage
Notes

A. p. Dunlop, of the Stage Neacs, writ-
ing from New York OH the 9th, says:
Alone in newness this week is 'The
Prodigal Son." produced at Daly's. '"The
Prodigal Son" is a dramatic pantomime
that has been a surprise to Paris for the
last year, and Paris is not easily sur
prised. In this case pantomime does not
imply the sort of farce in which clowns,
harlequins and ballet dancers take part,
but pantomime in which the action, ac-
companled by music, makes either
comedy or tragedy. It must be under
stood that in this play there is not
word spoken. In the first act young
fellow, who, in the French, is Peirrot,
loves girl, and is opposed in his love by
his parents, and having fallen in love
with Partisan cocotte, steals from his
1athers safe to run off to Paris with her.
In the second act the boy finds the girl
he has loved, and has stolen for, looks for
nothlng more than money, and that his
1nfatuation for her is met by purely COM
merclal reciprocity, as our Canadian
friends would say. When he has resolved
TO cast the hazard Of his fortunes upon
eeards' e' she meets stranger, who has
bank notes by the thousand, and SO she
abandons her new-f1edged love and takes
to the newer. He goes back, successful
at gambling, to deposit his winnings in
her lap. She is gone with another love-
and curtain. In the last act, broken
hearted, he returns to the home fhis father
and mother. The mother receives him
with open arms and tears. She conceals
him there. The father discovers the con-
cealment; he repudeates and forswears the
repentant boy. He begs for forgiveness.
No. The sounds of 1.-THE Marseillaise' are
heard. He seizes the flag and goes to the
war as the only restitution that he can
make. AS he does so the father blesses
him.. 1t is a question whether 1.-The
Prodigal Son. will catch New York as it
did Paris. The new worlds greatest
actor and the old worlds greatest actress
have this week appeared: Edwin Booth
as Shylock, at the Broadway, and Sarah
Bernhardt as Fedora at the Garden, and
nothing new can be said of either. At
the Windsor, r. D. MacLean was seen for
the first time hero as Hermachis, and
Marie Prescott as Cleopatra, in Rider
Haggard'S romance of CLEOPATRA"
which has been dramatized by Miss Pres
colt. 1t has some of the charm and
weirdness of the original story, and the
play is strong in climax and dialogue.
Antony's part is subordinated to that of
Hermachis, son of the last Pharoah, but
although handsome actor, Mr.. MacLean
did not make deep impression. Miss
Prescott made good Cleopatra, although
at times too stacy in gestures. All the
play-houseS have done fairly well this
week, If Palmer's and the Madison Square
Theaters be excepted.
STAGE NOTES.
"o'Dowd's Neighbours will begin its
season March 9th.
Stuart Robson has added ''She Stoops
to Conquer" to his repertoire.
Sims Reeves will sing his last song in
public in London on May 11th.
Jay Rial has left the Cora Tanner and
Joined the Rose Coghlan company.
''Noah's Arlz'' has stranded, and is
tucked away in the spacious storeroom at
Niblo's Garden
'The Gossoon' is a new Irish play by
e. E. kidder, in which Carroll johnson
will star next season.
Harry Meredith has been engaged by
VIM. A. Brady to play the part of old
Tom in after Dark"
Lila Vane's legs in tights are being
doomed at Herrmann's as among "All
the Comforts of Home"
The Dazzler'' has caught Boston, and
Lydia Thompson received an old-time
welcome in the Bean City.
In Nellie McHenry's new play, by II.
Grafton Donnelly, she will appear in a
dual role, a circus rider and O governess.
The seats for the Bernhardt engage
ment IN Boston were sold at auction.
The sum of $50 was paid for the first
choice.
Thou Shalt Not'' promises to sheolize
the already sulphurous atmosphere of the
stage, and will, no doubt, get blue blazes
when produced.
Mrs. e. s. Willard, the wife of the Eng
iish actor, is collaborating with Stepniak,
the Russian Nihilist. ON a play the scenes
of which are laid in Russia.
"Sport McAllister" is the title OF
Bobby Gaylor's new farce-comedy,
which is to be produced next season
under the direction of VIM. A. Brady.
"Thermidor" is to be undertaken in
Paris again. When recently interrupted
there was cash advance sale of nearly
100000, all of which had to be refunded.
Robert Hilliard does not appear in
Thou Shalt Not" He claimed that his
wife objected to his playing the part, and
Manager Brady released him from his
contract. Negotiations are now in pro-
gress with Eben Plympton and Frederick
Bryton to assume the leading role.
o. B. Sheppard, the millionaire Toronto
manager, and Geo. w. Sammis have
bought the exclusive right for " DIR. Bill"
They have also bought all the scenery
and equipments, and propose putting it
ON the road in the same manner it was
done at the Garden Theater. A great
many OF the present company are to re-
main.
Robert Graham is making extensive
preparations for the production of larry
IL
scale next season. This, however, does
not interfere with the splendid work he
is doing in 1.-THE Sea King" The man.
agement has offered him large induce
medts to play the part next season, but
Bob says he has sure thing.
Edith Murilla, ''the dashing and CAV
soubrette' of the "Ship Ahoy' company.
has received enough adulation In Boston
to turn the head OF a less sensible actress.
Ladies do not often worship at the shrine
of their own sex, but Miss Murilla has
proved pleasing exception. She is a
central figure at the Lenten diversion
given by the Hubs fairest, bespectacled
DANES.
George Backus has added the qualifica-
tlon OF author to his other numerous tai
ehts; bis one-act play, I'm the Gloan-
Louisville by the Aunt Jack" company,
where 1t received the heartiest ofweicome
from the critics of those cities. The little
play fairly bristleS with action, and has
plot TO Be isiso q
act comedy drama.
The three Tittell sisters, Charlotte. Essie
and Minnie, like Athos, Porthos and
Aramis, are power of strength with
tneir varied accomplishments. It is not
often that three children of tho same
family inherit almost an equal amount of
talent, yet in this instance the exception
has proved the rule. Charlotte Tittell.
who has already won praise in New York
ana her sister, Essie, are both leading
ladies' OF undoubted merit. Minnie. the
youngest sister, is equally versatile in the
role OF an ingenue, or song-and- -dla nee
soubrette.
His Money was Orthodox,
The tender spot and open purse that
= John ~. Rockefeller, the millionaire oil