The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-05
THE PLAY WAS BROAD.
Doctor BILL" at the Academy. VIII Hardly
Do For Richmond.


Do For Richmond.
Richmond theatre oers, and espe-
cially those who spend their Sunday af-
ternotns comfortably at home, perusing
the New York papers. have often heard
and read Of "Dr. Bill" but not until
last evening have they had an opportu-
nifty TO see that much-heralded comedy.
IL was presented at Mozart Academy
TO only a fair sized audience last even
ing. but in the orchestra chairs were many
repre- sentatiyes Of Rchmond's fashion
able world, and It can be said IN all truth,
that that portion OF the audience was
most appreciauve.
"Dr. Biz IS a comedy adapted from the
French, in three acts, and tells the story
Of what n meddlesome father-in-law can
DO when ne sets his mind TO it. The scene
is laid in London. and the three acts are
used up in getting d lot Of people into
difficulties and compromising predica-
ments. and getting them out again. The
first act shows where Dr. William Brown,
known in his fast set Of former compan-
ions as "Dr. Bill" would rather live peace
fully at home with his bride than
20 be worried with a practice and patients.
IL shows a meddlesome father-in-law with
no idea other than money-gettlng. II
Introduces an ex-Oallet girl, VINO mas
married an inspector Of police, and before
the act ends there Is jolly girl from
the FrivOlity Theatre, an English swell
and discreet lady's maid, who together
with the balance OF the cast, proceeds
to get into the worst sort Of entangie-
ments.
The second act gets the thread OF the
story into more knots, and more tangles,
and II is not until the last act that one
has an idea where It will all end.
The individual who made the adaptation
from the French left out many Of the
original thoughts In the play, and failed
to tone down what would do for Paris,
but would not suit an American audience.
However, the play was produced In New
York, and became an instant success.
There it was presented with all Of the
beautiful accessories that a scenic artist
can furnish there nightly appeared In
the cast some of the best known metro
poltan actors and actresses; and there
the very atmosphere was congruous 10
play Of its kind
But in Richmond-staid quiet town mat
1t is-sCch play, presented by such
mediocre company, VIII not 90 hdi
those who composed the cast last evening
possessed the finish, the tinesse, 10 90
their parts quietly the comedy would nave
been less broad, but, unfortunately, there
IL a clumslness in the handling or the
lines and the acting that makes me play
far too suggestive for city or TINS Size
For instance, the first act ENDS with me
jolly girl from the Friyoity proceeding 10
do the kangaroo dance In her street
costume the spectators are treated 10
CLEAN Of skirts and shapely ankles, ana
the audience, not having attended the per
Torrance 10 witness n spectacular snow
or a farce comedy. is rather surprised
In the second act this careless Individual
clad in another costume. proceeds 10 give
a second edition OF her dance, and mat
dance can 20 hand-in-hand with the SOM
ersault split" the girl did the other hleh'
on the Academy stage, as two exnloitiohs
Of limbs and lingerie that is not "aii'su
in Richmond.
Jus. after the dane, was finished last
evening the ex-ballet girl, al whose houSo
the scene IS supposed to take place. sdis
a sentimental song about the uedr lai'u
of Ireland and The Girl i Lett beiiii.
Her acting Is only Dassable, but her SHE
ing Is atrocious. The members OF ~
moud's smart set should not nave Oe@n
guilty OF the discourteous act OF guy
ing" while the won ar sang. but she GER
tainlv did not deserve the best OF treat
ment and her repeated encoreS must nave
struck her as being particularly suIPIis-
ing Surely she is not encored IN any Ci's
that has a place assigned II on Wen
REGULATED man. and If she would leave mat
song out OF the play entirely the eoih7uS
and herself would be benented'
In the second act are the arrangements
and enlbarras srnert is. People are put In
| COMPROMISING positions suggestive INES
| are spoken. and deplorabe acting taxes
! place. For instance a key is put down
| the exbaled back so as 70 revive her
lsfrom a fainting spell. A moment later
| she needs the key.
| She commences TO underess on the stage
but suddenly makes her exit, and snort
w afterwards the meddlesome father-in-
| law, who Is looking for his daughter.
peeps into The room. The maid calls
| him. but he is deaf 70 all cries, ana rs
| intensely interested in what ~ supposed
| TO be taking place in the room-the wo-
| man undressing and looking for the
| key.
To take the play as whole II Is NOT
| = success IN Richmond. IL did, and VIII
| doubtless suit men about town, whose
| literary tastes run 20 Tola and ne Al
batioss novels, but IS not suited to the
general run OF theatre-goers. III many
| OF it's suggestive lines ana actions were
cut out Of the comedy, and |; was pre-
scented here by actors and actresses VINO
rank higher as sucH' 'N."i''"o
stand the pr,ce for probably one night.
| but at present Il VIII not do.
| There will nc n matinee this afternoon.
and the engagement erds tonight.
Murray A I.ohmans production OF
| John J. McNally's satire, "A Straight
Tip" comes to the Academy of Music
next Friday and Saturday evenings. Il
IL said TO be iaughable and clean. and
IL rendered by an unusually wen pal
4 "a