The critic., 1891-01-27

Of mankind in its urban environment.
To this charm of return TO simplicity
and nature Is now added, in the case OF
the lattcr.day rural drama, every accessory
Of realistic and ingenious mechanism and
scenery to complete the illusion of our
bodily transportation to the oil | farm and
iireside of our early memories. No Won
der that these plays hold the boards. not
for months, but years, in the great
metropolis and afford at least temporary
rest to its hard-driven, world-weary
dwelCrs.
The central figure of "The County Fair"
and one as nearly lifc-like and distinctive
as Joshua Whitcomb himself, is Abigdu
Pruo the eminently hard-headed, if soft
hearted spinster, whose prototype exists
in hundreds of New England villages and
farmhouses. II is never possible to
altogether believe in or enjoy the per-
sonation of female by man, and for
that reason alone the assumption of the
character by Fanny Denham Rouse, last
evening, has an advantage over that of Mr..
Neil Burgess. But of itself II is most
realistic and convincing rendition of the
role, and one which carries the amused
OF the audience from curtain sympathes
to curtain.
The otis Tucker of W. II. Burton, the
SOlOH Hotnnerhc0d of Mr.. Smith, and Miss
May and Miss Salisbury in their re.
sptctiyc roles, seemed to win high favor
with the audience. The scenery was adj
mirnble in every act, and the husking
bee and horse race capped the climax of
scenic illusion. Three horses running at
brenk-neck speed, their Jockeys whipping
and spurrlng for dear life, might not un-
reasonably seem an effect beyond the
powers OF the most ingenious stage
mechanic. Yet this is the closing tri-
umph of "The County Fair" and one
which last night brought the vast audi
ence at the .Opera-House to the verge of
temporary insanity. Cod Mo'dsses was a
hot favorite before the race and still more
so afterward, and will doubtless hold his
own both on the track and the pool-lawn
at every evening and matinee perform
ance during the week.
"Lost In New York" ut Harris.
That the tank drama has lost none of
its popularity was well demonstrated by
the large audience that greeted the pre-
sentation Of Lost in New York; at Har.
ris' Bijou Theatre last night The play IS
of an Intensely thrilling and sensational
character, and tells an interesting story of
the lights and shadows of metropolitan
| life. The company that presented the
play last night is an excellent one, and
every member an actor of merit. Mr..
George A. Wright well sustained the part
of the easy-going villain, while Gus Pix
| ley kept the audiencein roar of laughter
| in his broad comedy part. Miss Lottie
| Alter is q bright and piquant little lady,
| whose impersonation of q New York waif
won the hearts of the audience. She re-
| ceived several curtain calls.
| The whole east is one of the best that
has ever appeared in the play and the
| presentation is in every way worthy of
praise.
The play is mounted with wealth of
magnificent scenery and an immense
tank of real water plays an important
| part in act 3, when steam launches and
| river crafts OF all sorts are seen plying
across the stage. Grammcrcy Park by
moonlight is grand exhibition of stage
Samuel j. Tilden is almost faultless.
Lost in New York" possesses all the
qualities Of a standard melodrama and is
the best play of its kind that has been
presented at the Biiou for some time.
Tho Gaiety Company Mt Kcrnan's.
The largest house of the season greeted
Lilly Clay's Gaiety Company at Kernan':
Theatre last night The company num-
bers some of the cleverest people OH tn,
variety stage, who, with the pleasing ac
cessions of new scenery and catchy
music, made the performance success
The show opened with the Sleeping
| Detuty, SIcclaCUldr, musical SOlree
introducing new songs and dances. TIL,
VidCcqs cxcelled themselves last nigh,
and did some original work.
The talent of the company was brought
out in the second burlesquc, ''Robir
Hood" which is as popular as ever
Ward and Vokes, the knock-about come
dians, came in for a lions share of thu
applause. As daring aerial artists, tn,
Miranda Sisters are rightly name,
"Queens of the Air" Leopold and Bur
nell were well received in their musica
sketch full of new jokes. The show fin
ished with production of the romanti
burlesque, Antony and Cleopatra" full
of pretty girls, handsome costumes AM
charming music.
Minstrels Mt Willard's Hall.
McCabe and Young Minstrels opene
weeks stay in the city at Willards Hal
last night. The audience was large an
enthusiastic The programme from staI
to finish was an excellent one, and was II
ceived with great laughter and applause
The sketch, Tips from an Insane Asy
lum," by Billy Wisdom and Catlin Georgt
was extremely ludicrous and playe
: as only members of the colored rae
can play. The specialities are all frs
class. A rattling sparring match betwee
Billy Wilson, the champion heavyweight
of the Northwest, and George Collins, mi(
dle-weight of California, concluded th
performance. Three rounds were tough
and honors were about even. The prime
pals Of the company are George jackson
Billy Wisdom, Walter Dixon, g. Collin
Frank Brown, Bob Vernon and julie JohI