Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-25

1t is an odd coincidence that Pittsburg in
two successive weeks should witness the
change of base of two of the best known
people on the American stage Last week
we saw Henry E. Dixey Hopping back from
comedy to light opera, and this week we
have Marion Manola doing just the op-
posite.
"The Army Surgeon" opened the per-
formance at the Duquesne last night. 1t
deals with an incident of the war; young
widow receives her fiancee, a Confederate
soldier, within the Union lines, and is sur
prised by the appearance of her old friend,
a Federal Colonel, who brings her turkey
tor the Christmas dinner. BY feigning
fright the widow gets possession of the
Colonel's revolver, from which the cart
ridges are removed. however, and keeps
him at bay while the Surgeon escapes
Why the Colonel, knowing that the
revolver was not loaded, without
the slightest pang of conscience, should
allow the surgeon to escape, is not lust in
accord with the probabilities or war tales
in which duty always reiens supreme and
love takes back seat. The situation, how
ever, requires it and can be forgiven, as it
gives Miss Manola clever chance to look
and act charmingly as a devoted woman
who will risk everything to see her sweet
heart safe. Mr.. Mason is not at his best in
the heavy part of Richard NeUi le, the surgeon,
and Colonel BloodgOod, acted by Stanislaus
STANCE, who is also the author of the piece,
is encumbered with very forced laugh,
that at some places even grows disagreeable
In 'If Were You," the whole company
seems much more at ease. Jack charters
has returned from trip to Australia, but
having learned before his arrival that his
betrothed. whom he left in England, is re-
ceiving the attentions of a Lieutenant Beau
champs and thinking that both his own and
Mss Cdre,cs sentiments have undergone a
change in the two years absence, be relin-
quishes his claims and leaves the field clear
to the Lieutenant. In the second act he
discovers that he still loves Hiss Cdrea, but
she Indignantly refuses him believing that
he is only flirting and is plotting for
the hand of Mrs. Primrose, a widow.
In the third act they discover that they are
both mistaken, and as the Lieutenant has
started little filtration with Mrs. PrimroseS
young daughter to make Mss Cdre,v Jealous
and the Irritation grew to infatuation il
leaves Miss Carer free to marry Jack. Mrs
Primrose Is conveniently disposed OF bv her
falling prev to the charms of Sir Timothy
CGrac The comedy is very light, and bar
a
pleasing one 1t is remarkably clean
play, and bears no resemblance to the
semi-French connections that under the name
Of society dramas" have been presented
TO the American public for the last few F,
years Miss Manola's voice has improved |
greatly since heard here last, and not being |
very strong, it naturally profits by only /
being used to moderation as in 'If Were |
You" Her rendering of Gould [ But |
Have your Love-" from ''Boccacio," at her |
entrance in the second act, was very finished \
and given with her old-tlme sweetness. |
Whenever her part requires some pique or
concentrated force she is very clever
but in the long-drawn-out dia- |
logue between her and Jack in
the second act, she was cast in the shade bv
Mr.. Mason's manful impersonation. 1t was
his first appearance here in Pittsburg, and |
it is good while ago since we have seen
such frank, fresh and artistic performance
as the one he gave last night Robert Nc
Wade made quite character ont of the old 1
Highlander, and Hattie Schell had the idea
Of the halt-grown and always curious
schoolgirl, IhIoDe,ad, down to perfection.
Mr.. Temple talked rather little rapidly
rs Sir Timothy, and Mr.. Booth, as Lieutenant
BeauchdmpS, should learn that his portrayal
of the. role would be tip-top in farce
but is too exaggerated for a comedy that
lays claim to legitimate honors The waits /
between the acts were rather long, and the \
piece de rideau could very easily be left out
The house was not very large, but waxed |
considerably enthusiastic as the play went
on, and demanded several encores OF Miss
ManOla's songs