The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-09
INCIDENTS IN THEATRICALS.
THERE,s As YET HdRDET A RIPPLE
or THE BRISkNESS NEAR .tT HAND.

Hichnrd Mnu-nsia's latest Surprise-A
Tax Proposed to he levied ON Benehts.
On Monday night at the American Roof
Gurden two new performers appeared In an
act which Is certainly different from anything
seen hore before. although 1t may be common
enough in japan. The performers are q tall
man and q short woman. both japanese. and
they gave what is called "broadsword COM
bat" The weapons used nre long sticks OF
bamboo. and they go about their work In
way that leads ono to imagine that they are
thoroughly In earnest. They dance about the
stage striking at one another. wardlng of tho
blows. and receiving occasional whacks that
arc distinctly audible in the most remote
creviccs OF the roof garden. Sometimes they
get angry, clinch and roll about tho floor.
while the woman tries to get the mans head
between her knees. or watches favorable OPP
portunity to thrust her foot in his mouth. All
this is decidedly exciting and the spectators
show their approval and interest by standing
up to look at 1t, an honor which Is accorded
TO very few performers ut this house except
the Frantz family. Tho japanese poople APP
pear at the very end of their programme, and
their fight is SO brisk and vicious that the
spectators are reminded OF the old-fashioned
sparring contests. when the fighters reserved
themselves for tho last round. and then
brought their fight to q close In what they
called a rafting wind up" Down at the
Eden MusGe there is a band OF performers who
arc altogether too slow and decorous in their
movements to suit the majority OF the specta-
tors. They are dnrk- skinned women OF various
nationalites who are billed rs Mexican
dancers and go through with "Delsarte
dance" But their movements are so slow and
dreamy that it is impossible to realize that
they arc disciples OF the same school of which
Stoele Mackaye il the chief American expo
nent. The Desarte dance recently performed
by a troupe OF Chicago milionaires under Mr..
Mackaye's direction was much livelier affair
than tho one given by tho Mexican ladies ut
the Mus6e.
Richard Mansfield who has always shown
fondness for doing unexpected and sometimes
unwarranted things. has leased Herrmann's
Theatre for q period of four weeks beginning
Oct. 9. during which time no will be seen in all
the plays of his repertory and probably one
new one. This announcement has served to
set a great many heads wagging omnouSly
predict disaster for the venture, It seems to
6e the opinlop of the deepest thinkers on the
Rialto that nothing will succeed in Herrmanns
Theatre because it is up stairs. And yet, when
the San Francisco Minstrels occupied the
was Just sta as much up stairs as It is to-day nor
has Daniel Frohman, found 1t necessary to
the e in order to attract vistors
People never refuse to climb stairs when there
Is o H IS hs toP to Of Ga h es a
where for. the cause Of the bad luck
years. 1t Is In many respects a convenient
and attractive theatre. and 1t is certainly adj
mrably well placed on Broadway. Neverthe-
less it is a notorious fact that since the disin-
tegration OF the famous old minstrel company
hn 1T few Of 1he
successful. Sometimes MI Hermann rents
i to strolling PLAYERS and sometimes he per:
CLOSING until after Easter" he is more Catho-
JIG than the Pope. Once indeed, the house fell
lower Alexander Comstock. who held It Tor
several nights; Il there is a reason for all this
orchestra chairs are more Portable than
any IN the city and are set so closely together
Mr. hopes tn Ges
hi 1ssdu h cut 1saasasr s e
liberal basis.
Benefit performances like the class they
are intended to relieve. are always with us.
and even in midsummer when 80 many OF the
regular places Of amusement are closed. all
sorts OF benefits are announced within conve-
venient distance OF New York. In some cases
benefits deserve compensation. either be-
'e 'bsy H Ss Se
offer s we'll worth the price OF admission. The
Ae0 fand 10 fss are ssgsy
those who enjoy seeing a number OF flrst-cass
attractions following one another in rapid
holders rejo Ice also in the reflection that the
money they have contributed will be applied
the ead whch pro- the ruin Of
many entertainments given with an ayowed
charEe ali sorts Of things tss expense
account Of benefit. and when people
the Door OF New YORK. they have A' a
It IS worth % ones While also to lnd out e1aetly
what profit accrues to the genial landlord who
a to o. who f
anxious to do something for charity's sake. II |
w pee eve are e9 as to b
flying New Jersey hackmen who generously |
oner the services Of their ramshackle arks and
rates-in aid Of the city sufferers? There are |
other people, too. who are honestly deserving |
tickets and endure the performances given by |
the beautiful young actresses" who have
g take part IN the sntertan%en ts' HSess
fsctf must 6aye attracted the attenti2n
practical suggestion. and one that deserves
Of tho Actors Fund. Mr.. Aldrich estimates |
that the amount raised each year by LeneHt |
Sf noH G
he suggests hat all the members Of the dra.
to at any bens
quarter e, Of the Gr9sss receipts shall be turned
come Of about $4,000 without mourning a
parts artSSle e. OF risk. and the work Of earning it
1t is at present. This percentage should he re-
gardel as a first lien on every benefit fund and |
not subject to charges for Expenses Of any |
sort. The adoption OF Mr.. Aldrich's plan would
not necessarily do away with the big Actors
Fund benefits. which have proved a source OF
much enjoyment to the playgoers Of this city |
charity. Wv
Dan Emmett. the old-tlme minstrel. Is. by
reason OF his age and infrmity unable to fol- |
low his calling. and because he is the author
Of Dixie" the ex Con ederate Association of |
Kansas City desire to offer him shelter for the |
remainder OF his days in the Confederate |
Home Denman Thorn pson who ia now NAV
Ing at Mcvickars Theatre at Chicago. has de-
Vance, who was formerly railroad employee.
and while In that capacity wrote The lin.
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