Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-10

Il
GRAND OPERA HoUsE....... .Duff's Opera GO
HARRIS THEATER. Bandit King
WILLIAMS ACADEMY. Irwin Brothers Co
DAVIS MUsEUM-THEATER.. .Laloo, etc
The above are the theatrical attractions
for this week.
The coming of "Alabama" and its merits
were hardly advertised enough to evoke the
enthusiasm the play deserved in its first
reception bere. Mr.. Palmer is an excellent
manager, perhaps, in o well-established
house with fixed clientele, but he hasn't
any conception of what is needed to push a
| new play in the provinces The play is
remarkable one undoubtedly, especially
considered as departure from established
| rules and customs in play-writing.
| But it has greater merit than
| being courageous entry upon q
new field; it has the positive merit
OF being true to nature of telling n simple
and pretty story effectively and yet without
straining after effect. The characters in
the play are better than true to nature, they
| are agree" BILE American types in q natural
environment. Augustus Thomas has given
us a play in Alabama that is easily the
most mos st,at thoroughly american vet written:
OF this people, and there isn't even a
trace of foreign influence or example
in his work. As to the value of alabama"
taken strictly drama to be acted, the
taste of the judges will decide the question
in the absence of the usual points upon
which dramas are judged. The play really
has no particular climax in it, and the cur
tain falls upon the weakest situation of the
act often not. If you think a truthful
appealing, little story of American life very
little more romantic than every day brings
to most of us, without violent conflicts be-
tween good and evil-in fact, very little evil
Mt all, for there is no acknowledging villain in
"Alabama"-if you think such a story put
into reasonable action by good players is
| sufficient, then you will take Alabama" as
good play, in fact, the best ever written by
an American. But, if you are welded to the
dramatic system that has flourished since
| the theater began, you will say that Gala
bama' is wishy-washy, Intermediate non-
descript thing unworthy OF serious con-
sideratlon. You may be right i'll thinking
either way, but humbly 1 adhere to the
former opinion, and thank Mr.. Thomas for
taking bold step out of the beaten path,
native drama in which American life and
character shall be preserved for the delight
and information of posterity as well as of
ourselves.
1t Is not always unmi1ed good fortune to
see play performed by a company of tran
scendant strength. 1t IS delightful at the
time, of course, but when later on You see
the same play acted by company not quite
SO good, it is dampeping to ones enthusiasm.
Keeping the best wine till the end of the
feast, in spite of exalted ruling to the con-
trary, seems to be good policy to me. In
Chicago last summer l saw alabama" at
McVicker's Theater, and the leading parts
were taken by such men as Stoddart, Hol-
land, and Harris, who are now playing in
New York. Miss Eustace was the only one
in that production who appeared in her
original role here last week. She is an admir-
able actress belonging to the most artistic
school of America Now Holland by nature
seems to have been cut out for Colonel Mo-
berley, and upon him has slipped the delic-
al of an 0td rva arrior
Mr.. Mcintosh in the same role very
clever, and the feat perhaps is greater for
Mr.. Mcintosh than for Mr.. Holland-but
when you fall to omparing the men 1t is
not satisfactory. do not intend to proceed
to any comparison. Mr.. Mcintosh has made
q great stride forward, everyone is agreed,
whole was artistic, with excellence in the
case of Miss Eustace.
It is not stated from official information,
but 1t is highly probable, that "The Twelve
Temptations" will not tempt Pittsburgers to
anger or profanity again.
The frost has not been entirely on the
outside of the theaters during the past week.
Those that escaped it internally are lucky
and very, very few in number. The at
fractions are better this week, and the thea
ters ought to be well patronized.
The Bijou presents a strong drawing at
traction in the young German singing come
dian, Charles T. Ellis, who will present for
the last time in this city his picturesque
comedy-drama, "Casper, the Yodler," very
interesting play, which fits the young actor
to T, and enables him to introduce his
varied specialties and beautiful songs, which
have made him popular all over the United
States. He promises number of new, or
iginal selections during his coming engage
nent, Among them will be "Dancing on
the WALL "a Button Hole Bouquet" ga
Bunch of Daisies" during the rendition of
which "boutoniers" will be presented TO the
ladies in attendance; "Piggy Back, +" pretty
Soon" a catchy song and dance in the char
acter ota German girl, and by request, that
pretty ballad which has soothed SO many
Again" As santa Clans" he will distribute
TOYS to the little ones i'll the audience, 8
lately introduced feature that pleases the
children immensely.
There are three sets and they represent
"A Villa on the Hudson" "Au Interior OF
Yacht at Sea" and the historical "Blarney
we'll known people, among whom may be
mentioned the Misses Clara Moore, Laura
Palmer, Marvin Ballou, Messrs. James Vim
cent Frank Z. Janison, Charles w. Swain,
Vivian Osborn e, those two rema rkubly clever
child actresses, Little Flossie o. Brien and
"Baby'' Matte Grier and others. Ellis is
said to be in better voice than ever.
Fortunately Pittsburg is already ac-
ouainted with the Kendals Their perform
ance here last spring sufficient to i'm
press the community with their high artistic
merits Now they return with an extended
repertoire and the Duquesne Theater will
havc the honor of their farewell
visit TO this city. 1t is not neces-
sary to tell any thestergoer that
the Kendals are the most notable foreign
artists that we are likely to see on our local
stage this year. l believe, too, that the
word farewell" IN this instance is not po-
lite blind more's the pity, for it seems hard
luck that we are not to see Madge Robertson
again in Pittsburg.
week, will begin tomorrow night with q
new and certainly remarkable play entitled
katherine kavanagh." 1t is the work of
two women, Mrs. Oscar Beringer and Clio
Graves, and is written in n prologue and
three acts, the scenes being laid in Brussels
for the prologue, in England for the play. 1t
is said that the play is strong in dramatic
treatment is cleaI, vigorous and decisive in
character. On Tuesday evening and at the
Saturday matinee they will appear in Tom
Taylor's famous play still Waters Run
Deep"
Thursday evening will be devoted to B. c.
Stephenson's coTnedy-drama, Impulse"
This piece was first produced in London by
the Kendals about efgnt years ago at the s..
james Theater, London, where it had sue
cessful run of upward of 800 nights. 1t is an
excellent play and created favorable i'm
preston.
on Friday evening Mr. and Mrs. Kendall
will offer that fascinating comedy "a Scrap
of Paper" In point of dialogue it is really
admirable while the situations as whole
are cleverly arranged and effective. For
their final appearance in this city on Satur-
day night Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall will present
"The Ironmaster" which is recognized as
an undeniably strong melodrama with
theatric situation in each of its four acts.