The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-11
rHE FROTH OF SOCIETY.
tyrrrxI PRODUCTION OF MRS.
PRANK LEsLIE's ADAPTATTON.
fbs Play was Produced Last Evening at
the Richmond Theatre-soue OF the
People who Were Present

-sThe Froth OF Society" as presented
Nv Mr.. Joseph Haworth. Miss Emily
R,gl and competent company is 6e-
timed 10 produce sensation. There
ras quite a large audience 10 witness
he performance at tie Richmond Theatre
last evening. and one OF the boxes was
rraced by the presence OF Mrs. Willie
Allen. Mrs. William L. Royal. Messrs.
a. Sale Watkins. James r.. Branch, Car
ter w. Branch, J. Il. Anderson and James
Lindsay Gordon. Mrs. Frank Leslie and
Mr.. A. H. Lewis, OF the Kansas City
Times, were in the other box.
The play is from Dumas play, lie
Demi- Monde" and the production last
evening was n translation and adaptation
ty Mrs. Frank Leslie, the world re-
sowned litterateur. She spent serious
consideration and work upon the effort,
and the result TO her should be satisfac-
tory. for the adaptation OF such n purely
French play for an American audience IS
IN al duous undertaking and can only be
successfully performed by one who has
at his or her fingers end the tastes
Ideas, and what might be termed the
tlase inclinations of the American
theatre-going public.
Mrs Leslie has successfully performed
the task. She has handled play deal
Ing entirely with a class of society that
members Of another class of society never
recognize. at least In this country. and
80 steer successfully between Scylla and
Charybd!s without breaking an oar, or in
other words. without telling in English
what may. perhaps be all right IN the
theatres Of Paris. is "a task that she. by
doing. proved herself to be d woman Of
genius and rare literary talent.
The play is OF intense interest, and yet
there is not great deal of plot about it,
neither can II be called a drama pure
and simple 1t is a play-nothing more
or less-and presents a startling picture
of true life among residents of Paris.
Miss Emily Rigl as Susanna. Baroness
DANCE. gives a presentation OF n char
acter that all men of the world know, and
though somewhat of a revelation 20 those
who do not know" yet the charac.er
proves TO be an interesting study TO all
classes Of citizens. The laxitcs of Pa
rlsian life play an important part IN the
French Capital, and though revolving TO
all lovers OF the pure and holy, yet oc-
cupy such a prominent position that the
student Of the worlds citizens cannot by
any matter of means overlook them.
Miss Rigl Is an actress of consummate
ability and plays the part in thoroughly
artistic manner. She has complete com
prehension OF the role. and the chic, the
vivacity and the tact required Of
woman of the class which she impa--
sonates is all cleverly and artistically
presented by Miss Rigl.
Mr.. Haworth does splendid work. He
has q part that suits him in every re-
spect, and he plays the Partisan gentle
man with certain charming insouclance
that is delightful even to an American
IL 1.I =.
20 the role of comedian, and the remark
grated on the nerves OF all who were look
ing at the production from an artistic
standpoint, but otherwise he was excel
lent.
Miss Matte Hooper and Mr. Sheridan
Block also deserve plaudits for their ex-
oellent work. and the entire company
were either actors or actresses of CON
summate ability
The play. II must be said. deals with
fact, and there are some very unpleasant
truths told. and some very impressive
sentences used, but an adaptation Of one
OF Dumas plays could hardly be other
wise.
The performance last evening might
be called the initial one OF the play, for
the piece. at least Mrs. Eeslies adaptation
of II, was first brought out in Norfolk
on Tuesday evening. 1t was nothing more
tndh a ureSS rehearsal, however, Tor the
members Of the company came from
New York by steamer. and when they
landed In Norfolk were still suffering
from sea-sickness.
Miss Rigls gowns were beautiful last
evening, and represented the very latest
OF Partisan styles.
Mrs. Leslie is at Ford's. She is a
charming woman, and besides her rare
literary talents, possesses a charm OF
conversational power that is delightful.
She will be with the company about two
weeks. doing so merely TO escape for
the nonce the humdrum OF n literary life,
which she has led so earnestly and with
such very enviable results.