Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-27

Ge$Ifj5NkRF"], 6
@%[E|!s5T %|!s!I5E EE74ssk&>
Bfjou Theater. Devils Auction
Duquesne Thcater.. .Hoss and Host
avn .... W anl
Grand opera House.. vendetta
Williams Academy. Reilly and Wood
WORLDS Museum -Theater. ter............. .Curiosites
Davis Museum -Theater. .Curiosiries
harris Theater. Bowling and Hasson
The above are the theatrical attractions
for this week.
The engagement of Sarah 'Bernhardt last
week at the Alvin Theater has been more
profitable to the public than to Manager
Davis, and it is well to recognize the fact
that it is public spirited policy on the part
OF a manager to take q star Of this class
There is little or no money for
the local manager in such cases.
When heard that Bernhardt was coming
had the audacity to predict that she would
play to three nights big business. and three
nights only. Some of the theatrically wiSe
insisted that Pittsburg would stand Bern
hards with exorbitant prices for six nights,
and the sequekproves who was correct.
The plays in which Bernhardt appeared
during the past week are all Of the same
class, possibly with the exception of Leah. :"
They belong to the modern french drama
of which Sardou is the most brilliant expo
nent. Indeed, it has been a Sardou week,
for no less than three'out Of five plays given
were from his pen. But 1t was not in
Sardou's work that Bernhardt was seen at
her best. In Camille" this great actress is
able to display atits best her great histrionio
talent, the attractive and even magnetic
personality. Marguerite is possibly nearer
to her ideal than any other character in her
repertoire. Nothing SO profoundly affecting
and so genuinely human as her death scene
in this play has ever been seen upon the
stage. On Thursday night the audience,
of which probably no more than one
In ten understood half a dozen words that
literally bathed in tears before the curtain
fell; 1t was strange sight in these case
hardened days to see grown-up men and
women mopping their eyes and hiding under
coughs and shufhing of feet, the emotion
which they could not control and which
were excited by the sight of woman play
Ing part which fs positively thread-bare.
the play, as far as it had gone had evidently
been as good as Greek, when Mnr0uerite had
that farewell interview with armand broke
lost his best friend. Norwas this an extraor.
dinary case, for as I have said, all the
aud1ence wept, and when the curtain fell
called forth the triumphant actress with en-
thusiasm such as have never seen before
In Pittsburg theater.
The only play which was repeated last
week was the worst in all respects. "Cleopa-
ira" is not great play; it is a spectacular
and the character Of Cleopatra is
drawn without much delicacy and with q
view always to exploiting to the best advan-
tage the scenery and mechanical effects. As
"Cleopatra" was produced on Friday night
it lacks even the effectiveness that it had
when Davenport did it here last year. The
scenery, perhaps, was tolerably good when
first used, though the appointments are very
cheap, but now it is old and worn, the
heavenly style. and the temples and palaces
in anything but good repair. The tableaux
which appealed SO strongly to the eve in
Davenport's production were at times little
short of comic, because Of the shabby
scenery and wretched dressing of the small
squad OF illtrained supers Granting of
course, that Bernhardt gives deeply inter-
esting portrayal OF Cleopatra, that she makes
her, if you will, a new and fascinating en-
bodiment OF the Serpent OF the Nile, the fact
remains that the play Is unworthy Of her
SO far short OF matching the splendor of her
genius. Manager Abbey ought to know as
well as anyone that it is an affront to as well
IS an imposition upon the public to sur
ably weak company and a scenic frame un-
worthy of transforming attraction. Three |
dollars seat may not be too much for the |
privilege of seeing the greatest actress Of our
time, though 1 think a scale starting at 81, |
and including many good seats at a dollar, |
would have filled the theater aif |
the anS gTHs more no ,,s
5he public feels, so far as have been able |
20 learn, that the performances were dear |
1t So and the next organization, domestic or |
prices is likely to feel the effects of Pitts
burgers experience with the Bernhardt |
company. Bernhardt herself must be en-
riching her pocketbook to q tremendous ex- |
ent to COMPENSATE her for the outrage to |
Ter artistic sensibilities that her appear
nee under these circumstances must be. |
from the condemnation Of Bernhardt's sup.
,ort Mr.: Darmont must be excepted. and 50
anas his portrayal OF Armand In "Camille''
o must be Mr. F1eury. The former actor
las q brilliant future before him, for he 3s
disposition to rant. are suoh as experience
Till correct.
The Bijou Theater will present for the
rst time in four years, commencing Mon
ay, March %, William ]. Gilmore's "New
)evifs Auction" succession Of pretty
cenerv and scenic effects, dazzling lights,
pecialties Of the higher order This
lass of entertainment appeals to large
umber OF theater-goers. Mr.. Gilmore has, |
is said, gathered q company of unusual
trength in this particular line Of work. OF
be ballet in this production volumes might
e written. Every member in her line is
aid to be in the very first rank in skill and
ulture as a coryphee, as well as surprising
l physical beauty and grace or face and
lotion. There is an octette dance which is
ecidedly the eccentricity Of motion focal
led. It is given, by the celebrated family.
repstie, who are amazingly swift and be.
'ildering in their intricate and grotesoue |
volutions. The family Is q direct importa-
on from Europe. Mr.. Gilmore's name is |
with so many pantomimes, bur-
,sques and spectacles, that the public ex- ,
ects his productions to be bright
Among the noted people engaged are
gorge II. Adams, the famous clown, W. H. |
Miss Victoria Walters, Miss ,
ouise Dempsey, the Bosbobies, brother ana
ster (the reigning acrobatic sensatiOn), the
lree Lorellas the sisters Chitten, and many |
ave gained fame in spectacle and bur 7
sque. 1t is said that the public have the I
ISurance that master work among stare |
,tertaimment win characterize this engage
le new serpentine dance by the aid of two | {
overnment search lights secured especially ]
r this production.
GLOSS and Hoss" will be the attraction at
70 Duquesne Theater during the coming
eek. When the play was produced at this Z
me house some weeks ago, it met with ,
eat favor, and since that time it is said {
at it has been vastly strengthened, par 4
,ularly in the first and third acts which {
e said to be funnier than ever. Charlie L
,ndo or,A COI1f 1far a kk~h h-:~ |