Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-07

Asy NJ
DCQUEsNE THEATER. Rosina vokes
BlJoC THEATEK.. Dazzler
GRAND OPERA Thomas W. keene
ALVIN THE ATER. ...............Th The Old Homestead
WILLIAMS ACADEAtY. ............ .Rcntz-SantIey Co.
aAhils' ihEATER-. Fast Mail
WORLDS MUSEUA-THEATER...... .Curiosities, etc
DAVIS MUsEUM-TaEATER........ .Curiosities, etc
The author OF 'Mr. Potter of Texas,"
Archibald Clavering Gunter, understands
one thing perfectly, and that is the art OF
producing strong dramatic situations, and,
ike the French drama lists, making the most
OF them. This does not infer that the situ-
stions are always na atural or satisfactory. If
Ar. GUnter inserted more probability and
less situation into such productions rs ''Mr.
Potter Of Texas the result would be much
better than that exhibited during tho per-
Torrance OF that play in this city the past
week. The play is powerful in some re-
Spects, in many others very weak The
average audience is wei pleased
Of any kind, especially when produced by
capable actors. but, when situations are
evolved in the development Of the story for
which there seems TO be no earthly reason,
their applause is not SO confidentially or
generously bestowed as il would be under
different circum stances. hr. Gunter must
also lie given credit for another and unqusl-
l1ed accom- rliShincnt- He puts his prodUc-
tiOns in the hands Of efficient players. The
company at the i iou last week was fairly
well balanced. Joseph Wheelock in the
leading role, as usual, evidenced his great
ability TO nj almost any part. His unique
veTnacular, that OF commingling Southern
ana Western dialect with that OF the Lon
don cocSney was a very clever piece OF
work, which was not appreciated as much as
IL ought to have been. Jeffreys Lewis
lCogoG her part but did not speak il so well.
The others, with one Or two exceptions,
were sufficiently well done as to cover many
defects of the authors work that might
have been only too plainly visible other
wise.
THE Witch" in the hands Of Marie Hubert
Frohman and her support is not nearly as
good z performance as it might be. The
leading character is strongly tragic and set
in . framework of unconventional scenes.
These are really interesting not only from a
picturesque standpoint, but in that they de-
pict an epoch with which the people OF the
present day are not any too familiar. The
authors are TO be commended for producing
a plot that with little pruning and patch
ing must be considered a first-eass work.
This communication is all the more just,
wnen the difficulties which necessarily
hsmpered them in the production of a story
with such a theme, are considered. To re-
u in lis color 1t was necessary TO keep the
background un3ttTactiVe aud cold, from out
of which the characters Of The Witchh
ana her cr2Zed Puritan lover stood in warm
relief To 90 this, and prevent the interest
from dragging, was difficult matter over
come oaly by maintaining the lovable lead
ing character always before the audience.
1t is here that Msrie Hubert Frohman suf-
fers. A light fragile woman compelled to
struggle with tragedy for two hours or more
IS asking too much. As previously stated in
this paper Miss Frohman looked the part,
but favorable mention must end there.
It has been said that Sol Smith Russell's
play Peaceful Valley is very weak. To
say it is strong play would not be right
but, to maintain, as has been done in some
eases, that it is very bad, is equally unjust
Worse dramas than Peaceful Valley have
But any play with Mi Russell in it must be
interesting, if for no other reason than the
strong character work he always gives US.
There have been actors no have played in
) ust such characters as HoSed HolDe, but not
one made more perfect type of it than
Goes Nj. Russell. This actor never loses
sight OF his object that OF preserving the
portrait. He maintaiRs it TO the end. In
that respect he is one of the most perfect
actors on the stage. Through it he will
readily maintain tie position he has already
achieved rs high class star.
Commencing tomorrow evening Pitts
burg is to have at the Duquesne Theater
the daintjest week OF comedy that the whole
season brings. Although Rosina Vokes is
an English star, and many English stars
have visited us, none have succeeded in en-
dsarinG themselves to the American public
like this brightest OF all condolences. With
rare good Judgment, not always the accom-
psniment Of SO excellent an actress, she
brings with her number of talented peo-
pie that are all worthy the name OF artist,
and Il one more so than that clever comedian
al fa-. ~.
Eazement at the Duquesne Miss
Nokes has made the following happy
selections with which to entertain her
many PittsbuTg friends and ndmirers and
as Is her custom she presents three separate
ana distinct plays at each performance.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday
nights the first number on the programme
viii be In Honor Bound" petite drama in
one act by Sidney Grundy, IN whicn Mr..
Courtenav Thorpe is said toexcel This will
be followed by q. W. Godfrey's ever well
come and delightful comedielta, "My MIL
ner's Bill" in which Miss Vokes will sing
her famous sang, "His Art Was True to
Poll" and conclude with "a Pantomme
Rehearsal" 1t is described as a "skit" on
amateur theatricals- 1t has no plot what
ever, but it only, and only purports to be,
an imitation OF the efforts of some fashion
able amateurs to act pantomime under the
supervision OF the author. Since its last
number OF new features to this delip htful
piece, chief among them a shadow dance
and per. ormed by herself. In adj
dltlon to its artistic and graceful perform
snce there is humorous idea under
lying IL in tie fact that the performer
IS making frantic efforts to keep
In the calcium light. which performs
all sorts OF Vagaries under the guidance OF
the amateur calcium light man and finally
sXplodes creating great CONSERVATION and
r very comical scene Another new feature
of "A Pantomime Rehearsal is a trio and
dance written especia tally for Miss Vokes by
Brandon Thomas, and entitled, 'sThe Diplo-
matte Fairies" which is an exceedingly
pretty thing and in which Miss Vokes is
gracefully assisted by her associate ladies.
and Friday nights and Saturday
the performance will begin with
The Rose tneW) play in one act from tbe
fertile pen OF Minnie Maddern- Fiske to be
followed Dv Jerome l.. Jeroine's exquisite
"0arDara' (Grst time heTe1 in
which Miss Nokes viii assume the title role
first time bere) a farcical comedy in one
net by s. They're Smith, in which nearly all
the members of Miss Vozes' company are
employed. It is said to bea charming thing,
full OF life and humor
One OF the leading events in the seasons
amussments will be the engagement of the.
distinguished tragedian, Mr.. Thomas W.
heene, who will begin a weeks season of the
legitimate drama a. the Grand, opening on
Monday evening in his great characteriza-
lion OF "Richelieu," to he followed on Tues
day with Richard III" Wednesday, Louis
XI;" Thursday, "Othello;" Friday, "Ham-
et;" Saturday matinee, Merchant of
Venice"
Mr.. keene, always an able, painstaking !
and studioas artist whose efforts never |
ack dignity and whose results have been |
Forthy of the consideration of the ablest |
critics, has long been a favorite with Amer |
an audiences with whom his vigorous and |
interesting lmpersOnations have ever been |
received. Mr. keene has steadily |
advanced since he left the stock companies |
n which he began his career and al last his |
ind md ind hi affo