Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-20
PLAYS OF THE WEEK.
aeorNp THE WORLD IN EIGHTY
DAYS AND A PRoDleAL FATHER.
TIN. In the Local Managers, Whereby
They May Proft-Notes, Pertinent ana
impairment. Picked Up.

g. tba accommodation of those to whom
the original Tom Jefferson referred Wneh
ba plaeed on paper the words we. the
neoplen; the gentlemen who SIT at the re-
can't Of custom (denominated "treasu-
rersn in the ambitious language OF the
,heatres) will be in their accustomed
nlaces and will smirk ct the ladies' Wneh
tbev step daintily up to the box-office WIN
dow and whisper " Tickets, please tne
wary II was about to write weary
managers will smile as they sec tac ii..i luz
snekIets fall into their cash-boxes; anu
she orchestras will play "Ta-ra-ra BOOM
de-ay-lust come and hear usplay.,
In tbe race this week comedy and meio-
drama will be neck and neck. and the win
ninc entry will be ovated at the Ihanks-
GIVING matinee. The Theatre Will open
on wednesday with Around the Woriu
in Eighty Days" and the Academy VIII
follow suit on Thursday afternoon Win
"A Prodigal Father
AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS.
Jules Verne's graphic story OF Phineas
Gogg's wonderful trip around the worlu
became familiar household tale long ago.
and ia dramatization dates back num-
her Of wears. but il is so long since
..Iround the World in Eighty Day" mas
been seen here that it will not be un~ei-
The nlav will be seen at the Theatre
this week on Wednesday and THURSDAY
nights. and there will also be Ihanks-
giving matinee The version to De given
here will be that of MIR. W.. fleming iwno
plays the leading part, ana IS saiu 70 %
eorial. II not superior to, the KIralfy version
seen here several years ago. II we may Judge
Of the merits of the company and the pro-
dnction from the criticisms which appear
ed in the New York papers when the play
was running there Gin last August( IT VIII
he very good. Around the World IN
Eighty DAYS" is typical melodrama, and
more depends upon the scenery ana tne
way in which it is staged than on the COM
many. and therefore scenic display should
be expected.
PRopIaAL FATHER AT THE ACADEMY.
The attraction at the Academy this
week will be " A Prodigal Father" q new
comedy which was produced IN St. Louis
81 few months ago for the first time. III
will be seen in this city at O Thanksgiving
matinee and on the three last nights OF the
week. :,
The plot involves an old gentleman
named Dodge, who is booked TO go win
an African exploring expedition, but de-
serts the expedition at the last moment
and STAYS at home that he may be near a
certain fascinating opera singer. lie goes
TO Nebraska instead of Africa, and on his
return, which is co-eyal with the re-
turn of the African expedition. finds
that the opera singer has married
his own son. Meanwhile he has de-
liyered himself of some very in
terestlnr but intricate fabrications, and
the discovery of his mendscity, together
with his rage at the marriage OF his opera
singer, give the old gentleman an ample
cause to vent his spleen on all who come
IN contact with him. The old gentleman's
embarrassment furnishes several rich
scenes, and the plot evolves itself AMID
many mirth-provoklng situations. The
comedy is said TO be intensely funny anu
is accounted by those who have seen 1t to
be we'll written.
The production IL by jefferson, Klaw IL
Trlenger, of "Soudan and Country
Circus" fame, and this Is guarantee
that the play will be well put on. The
cast includes several actors OF national re-
putation, with George w. Denham and
George G. Boniface at the head of the list.
SO there is every reason to conclude That
the " ProdIgal Father" will be an I'M
usually good production.
THE sHELTERISG ARMS CONCERT.
On Friday evening that ASSOCIATION of
Young ladies who call themselves The
Kings Daughters will give the people. OF
TO that noble charity, the Sheltering
Arms, and of hearing some delightful
music. The entertainment will consist
of a well-selected concert programme,
which will be rendered by the Bee
thoven Terrace Orchestra, Of Baltimore
an organization whose meritorlous work
have made them very popular with
lovers of music. The attractlveness
of the programme which will be
no mazda nf l..
stitution for whose benefit the concert is
proposed, should be the guarantee. of a
crowded house, and there is little doubt
| that this hope will be realized, for Rich
mond people are always ready to assist in
any charitable work. The concert will be
under the patronage of the following
ladies Mrs. John Dunlop, Mrs. /. W.
Pemberton. Mrs. +. 7. ID. Myers, Mrs; r.
| III. Mavo, Mrs. Matte Myers. Mrs. Adalr
| Clai Dorne. Mrs. L. L. Robinson, and others.
WHY THE SEASON IS BAD.
The bottom seems to have dropped ont
| of the theatrical season. Whether or not
| the managers are making money is cues
| ton that they only can determine posi-
| tiyely. but one thing is certain. and that is
| that there have been but few big audiences
! this season. 1t is true that there have
| been a few frst-class attractions which
| have played TO heavy business. but usually
| the plays have been weak and the audi
ences very small This is sad state of
| affairs, but there is no one at fault save
| the theatrical men. A series of poor
/ plays will demoralize business at any thea
| ire, for there are SO many people
who know nothing about plays and play
ers and who have to depend upon the
! local criticisms, or else buy ticket and
take their chances. The only way to
| build up the business al playhouse 10 70
have none but good plays, and then the
people will feel that they NAV safely bus
| their tickets, being sure that they Will see
a good performance. 1t is by reason OF
their adherence to this rule-never to put
a bad show in their houseS-that managers
! like Augustin DAILY and A. M. Palmer have
brought the business of their houses up &c
| the high-water mark.
MRS. BERNARD BEERE's DEBUT.
Mrs. Bernard Beere made her American
debut Monday night at the new Manhattan
Opere-House. in New York, and was given
a most cordial reception by large au-
dlence. She is woman of commanding
presence, has afns voice, and is a success
The Baroness Blanc makes her debut as q
star December 9Th in Buffalo, appearing IL
a play adapted from the French by Miss
Matte Sheridan, of the New York World.
Salvini appears TO have q penchdHt fol-
the old-tlme romances, and so does the
theatre-going public. for that matter
Judging from the young actors success in
them.
Across the Potomac" Pitou and Al
friends picturesque and stirring wal
drama, has made O success IN Chicago
where 1t is drawing large audiences at Hoo.
ley's Theatre.
| CATHERINE LEWIS RETURNS.
Catherine Lewis, six years ago the most
popular comic-opera prima-donna in tn,
United States, has returned from Europe
She is looking just as young as ever anC
sings with all her old-tlme effect.
This Is the time to start the following
paragraph on another round: Among
the richest of American actors and &C
tresses are Edwin Booth, worth $3.50. 900
Joseph Jefferson, S1.0O0.000; Stuart Rob
son. 100000; w. II. Crane. 500. 900; Den
man Thompson, $3.50, 900; Joseph Murphy
100000; Roland Reed. $3.50. 600; Oliver
Byron. S150.00O; Edwin Harrigan, 500,
!. 600: Clara Morris, $3.50, 900; Fanny Daven
port, 100000; Lolita, $500, 900 Maggi,
Mitchell. S25o00O. and Sol Smith Russell
5000. 0OO.n
Annie Pixley, in her girlhood days, CAV
concerts in California. Cora Tanner was
ballet gIrl. Helen Barry led march O
! amazonS in mink tights Rose Copbla,