Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-09-02
entertainments.

Only a small audience went through the
the fret presentation in this city of the
new comedy "Fanny," bat everybody pres
emit was delighted with the play and with
the manner in which 1t was given. Like
"Jane," Fanny" is based on q complete
shutting and mixing of the characters, and
like "Jsne," it abounds in comicsl situa-
tionr. 1t is pure, clean comedy through
out. Not the slightest effort is made TO
work in stale gags or so-called witty
speeches. All depends on unique misun-
derstsndings and peculiar climsxes.
Fanny" is the recitation of the desper-
ate efforts of a young lawyers clerk to re-
trieve his fortunes ruined by playing the
races. To do this he taxes advantage of
some much. mixed marriage relations His
wife, without being given chance to
and her twins to personate a married sis
ter, who is dead. The dead Fanny's first
husband skipped to central Africa
and her second left her on her we'd
ding night, not knowing whether he
was married or bachelor. To determine
| this he organized searching expedition
for husband No. l, still supposing Fanny
to be alive. At this point his old sweet
| heart, nova widow, returns from India.
He is told by friend that Fanny has died,
the friend thinking 1t justifisble lie for
friend has embezzled the funds, and
Fsnny's second husband msrries the
| widow from India.
At this point the false Fanny again sp.
pears just as the bridal party returns
home. To save the exposure the
| friend claims her as his wife, but
he is soon knocked out by the
| appearance of his legal better half on the
scene, mad as only a jealous woman can
be. Then, when everybody is at war, the
| long lost first husband of Fanny turns up
in the person of police inspector, who
has the lawyers clerk under arrest charged
with burglary, denounces the false Fanny
and forces the acknowledgment of her
death. All the marriages are declared to
| be legal and the clerk comes out of his
dilemma with flying colors.
The company, with one slight exception,
| is perfect in every part. Miss tombstone
Bennett, as the wife of the lawyers clerk,
and the false Fanny, is as good in an IN.
| usually difficult part ss she was in "Jane''
simply perfection. Long, lanky Robert
| Cotton as the clerk could not be improved
| upon. w. ]. Ferguson as Captain Manton,
who met Fanny's first husband in Africa,
Is adding to his reputation as comedian
| which he made with Richard Mansfield.
Miss LIE Baron as Mrs. Manton, q rich
southern woman married to jolly but
| poor Irishmsn, gives a vivid portrayal of
how jealous a woman can be, while Mis-.
Elaine Ellison, the young widow, is charm
| ing In her beauty and graceful simplicity.
The minor characters, too, are all up to
the high standard of the leading people.
The only weak spot In the whole cast IL
that of George Alison, Professor Blk
ley" Fanny's second husband. His voice
| and his acting srs far above the average,
but he has a habit of ending His sentences
abruptly, as though he was not well up in
his lines. This often spoils the entire eff
Taken as a whole, however, Fanny" 1.
one OF the strongest, oleanest and funniest
plays that has ever appeared here and
should draw crowded houses this afternoon
and evening. All who see 1t will be de-
| lighted with it.
Primrose Il Vests minstrels, one OF
| the strongest minstrel organizations ex-
tant, will be the attraction for Labor Day
evening.
Efis. Ellsler with an unusually COM
petent company will appear in her new
play 'Doris" Tuesday and Wednesday
| evenings.
Kellar, the wonder worker, comes
Thursday evening, followed on Friday
and Saturday by Hoyt's Temperance
Town"
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
"The District Fair" drew large au-
dience again last evening. The play ia in
teresting throughout and contains some
exciting situations, with delightful vein
of comedy. The audience went wild
over the racing scene. The performance
will be repeated this afternoon and even
ing.
Madame and Augustin Melville will be
seen Monday next Labor Day. in their new
play, "The Power of Woman" There will
be q special holiday matinee Monday after
noon. Seats now on sale.
"The Danger Signal" Z. ]. Abrams
magnificent scenic production, win be seen
on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings next
week. Matinee Wednesday.
The Fred Solomon Opera company comes
the three last days next week. There will
ba matinee Saturday. Repertoire: Thurs
day evening, "Poor Jonathan;" Friday
evening, 'tNadjy;" Saturday matinee and
evening, "Ths Brgands.n
Silverwsre for wedding gifts ct reduced
l.