The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-25
Ar rHE rHHATRES.
"Shing Ching" at the Academy OF h"sie'
Future Attraction at Both Theatres

sShing Ching" at the Academy OF Music
Futnre Attraction at Both Theatres
"shing-Ching." Daughter Of the Moon
Chinese Comic Opera. by Richard
st,bl. ubretto by Frank Dumont.
The latest work OF Richard Stahl. com
nosor of said Pasha," 1.-THE Sea King
aud "The Lion Tanner called shlhs-
Cbing" was heard by a large and fash
ionable audience al the Mozart Academy
last evening.
,rbere IS nothing original IN "Shng
ching" and 10 is written on the familiar
lines and among the familiar scenes Of
"The Mikado." 1.-The Little Tycoon" and
"The Tar and Tartar" OF all Of which
opcras 80 Is very reminiscent, and pleas
anty sO-thats all.
There was an Emperor Of China, re-
joicing I'm the warm name OF "Ki-an-Pep"
(Nr ia. j. Connolly, and a Tartar
Prince. ''Wing-Hi' CMr John j. RanaeD.
who represented the romantic and lover
like end OF the male characters.
Then there was "Heeso-Fli," Treasurer
20 the Emperor (Mr. Eddie Smith and
"Hyson." Buddhist High Priest (Air.
George II. Broderck), and last, but not
least. the important factor in comic opera.
the low comedian. "Bi-KlOride" (Mr.
Fred. Frear), who was the principal laugh
creator
The feminine characters were "Shing-
Ching" daughter OF the Emperor. miss
villa Knox. "Ping-Sing." captive prin-
cess Miss Van DyclO. and 'Bohee-Tee."
a fascinating widow Miss Mabella
Baker,.
Act I showed the ruined temple OF Kali
Flung. and act ii was the exterior Of the
EmperOrs summer palace Both these
rra11 uFit
mechanical and electrical effects.
To quote the bin Of the play. "the en-
tire production. with original stage bust
ness. etc. under the personal supervision
and direction Of Mr. Richard Stahl."
This was. no doubt. true I'm Philadel-
phia. IN which city the opera has lately
enjoyed a several weeks run. but It did
not apply 20 the performance here, for
Mr. Stah did not materlalize.
The orchestra struggled along manfully.
and did its best but was handicapped
both by lack Of rehearsal and unfamiI-
iarity with the score. which was tricky
and hard TO follow
The voices Of the principals were not
phenomenal, and indeed the score and
hbretto did not deserve such
There were no particularly striking
solos duets, trios, quartettes or concerted
music nor anything that did not smack
OF other works
a noticeable feature was the consnicu-
GUS absence Of topical song, which
the public somehow seems to look for in
a comic opera. And yet the majority
Of the audience seemed to he well pleased.
judging from the frequent laughter and
applause and the redemanding OF num-
bers which followed their rendition.
'Shing-Ching' viii be repeated at n
matinee performance to-day. tonight and
tomorrow night. and the theatre-goer
who wants to laugh on slight provocaton.
and Is not too critical. will enjoy St.
Across the Potomac.
The play. a romantic military drama,
bearing the title Of Across the Poto-
mac" the work Of Messrs. Pitou and
=. NJ. Alfriend, the latter a native Of
this city will be presented at the
Academy Of Music on the evenings Of
Friday and Saturday and Saturday matt
nee.
1t is called "The Southern Side Of the
Story" and will no doubt attract large
audiences here where Colonel Alfriend
is so well known. The press notices of
the first production Of the play In New
York are favorable
Friend Fritz.
Particular interest will be centered upon
the engagement Of the ManOla Mason
Company IN Friend Fritz" which comes
70 the Richmond Theatre next Monday
Tuesday and Tuesday matinee, October
Both and 3lst, for three reasons: Monday
night will mark the 225th performance
Of the play I'm this country the two
daughters OF Colonel McCaul, Misses
Angela and Wlnnifred, formerly resi-
dents Of this city, are in the cast and
Robert McWade. who made his last mp
pearance as a star I'm rip Van Wrinkle"
I'm this city. assumes an important role
in the play Of the kind, good-hearted old
Jewish Rabbi all Of which will attach
a local Importance TO the appearance OF
the play here.