The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-29
JEFFERSON AS RIP
ouF1T FERMENTATION At THE
MOZART ACADEMY.
TIL. Veteran Actor Made n speech--Attrac'
tions ut the Theatre This Week That
VIII Not Fail 20 Amuse.

city.
Every seat in tho orchestra was filed.
and the dress circle was completely
hacked with interested humanity.
From 2 o'clock on there was n constant
stream Of ladies pouring into the Acade-
my and not q few men edged their way
through the crowd. Not since the Lit
ne tycoon" or Pauline Hall in 'Er-
mine has there been such an audience at
a matinee in a Richmond theatre
comment as 10 the production is unne-
cossary MIR. jefferson gave TO his audi
encc an Interpretation Of the character OF
"Rip Van Wrinkle" that has gained him
f,uc and fortune from the Atlantic 20
he Pacific; from Maine 10 Mexico. He
riaycd a part dear 10 Richmonders who
ytfrcssed his earliest triumphs thirty
years ago: he acted for those who saw
him upon his appearance here about eight
years AGO at the Richmond Theatre one
saturday night: he played for n rising
rcnerhtion that had never before seen
him.
Grandfathers. fathers and sons in Rich
r,ond have seen jefferson in rip Van
WinNe," and all have drunk in the ser
mon 1t breaches. and the story that is so
clearly told. May they all live long
and prosper will live in the memories Of
all as one OF the sweet remembrances Of
the histrionic and artistic world OF the
year 1898.
II remained for last evening TO have the
audience, how ever for the Academy was
crowded. II was the prettiest audience
seen IN Richmond for some time, yet
there was an absence of full dress cos
tunes. which were expected by so many.
Around IN the ''velvet row. there were
quite number OF young ladies in evening
costumes, and in the orchestra proper the
soft tints of gowns Of silk and .2ce were
apparent
In the lower left box Mr.. Lewis Payne
gave a box party 10 Miss Helen Rose.
Those present besides that lovely bru-
ncfte were Miss Virgie CABOT. Miss Lizzie
Bridges, Miss Annis Howard, Mrs. VIII
liam H. Talbot. Messrs. Richard Pegram,
Williamson Talley, Henry Cabel, -
Freeman, William II. Talbot and Lewis
Payne.
In the upper right box was a box party
given by Mr.. William II. Miller to Miss
Mabel Page Those present besides that
Young lady were Miss Willette Hudgins,
Mrs. K. L. Smith. Messrs. William II.
Miller. Robert S. Smith and Howard Page.
In the lower right box was party
given by Mr.. Carter w. Branch to the
following ladies and gentlemen: Miss
Julia 6ully OF Petersburg; Miss Lima
Branch, Miss NJ A. Branch, Mrs. Bar
ton Haxall Grundy. Messrs. John +.
Branch b. H Grundy and G. W. Branch.
In the upper left box We're; MISS
Alpha Hammer, of Lynchburg; Miss
Annie Parker, OF Manchester: Mr.. p. ID.
Christian, OF Richmond, and Mr.. Thomas
Ryland, of Lynchburg.
In the upper left loge were: Mrs. w.
D. Moses, Miss Isolne Moses, Mrs. John
Harrison, Messrs. Walter ID. Moses, II.
NJ Moses and John Harrison.
In the upper right loge were: Mr.. and
Mrs John Howard and Miss Howard.
In the audience could be seen many
strangers" They were fashionable folk
from Petersburg and other adjacent
places who had made the Journey TO 'see
Jefferson"
At the close Of the play, after repeated
calls. which he had acknowledged by
bowling TO the audience. Mr.. jefferson
appeared before the curtain and spoke as
follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen: In appearing
before Richmond audience feel almost
as 81 l were the original Rip Van Wrinkle
himself, for l have played here before
your fathers, and / may say the grand
fathers Of many Of YOU. Thirty-lve years
ago I played in this city, and have been
here before you and your ancestors as
manager and actor; but If l continue in
this strain / will turn comedy into a
serious play,
Il did not expect and am not prepared TO
make a speech, but your repeated calls
made me feel that / ought to say some
thing to you, and should / ever again
have the pleasure Of appearing before
YOU. I trust that [ shall have the same
Fuiling faces and appreciative audience
that have greeted me here tonight
wish YOU all a grateful, and, may say
a1ectiOnate farewell"
From another standpoint, the many
friends Of Mr. Cahill were very glad that
such large audiences give to him the
chance to re-coup himself after his I'M
successful efforts in the past. IL IS
apropos 10 say that Mr.. Cahin has worked
assiduously TO give the Richmond theatre-
going public attractions that Will raw
orably compare with those presented at
the Ivceum. in New York, and the fash
ionalie folk OF Richmond should give
him most generous support. Let us have
q week of splendid opera before Lent
begins, and Mr.. Cahill viii receive the
plaudtts Of all. lie receives them, how
ever for giving Mchmonders chahce
o. see jeff arsOn.'
One OF the most elegant dinners ever
served at the Commonwealth Club was
given yesterday afternoon to Messrs.
Thomas and Joseph jefferson, sons OF
the eminent comedian. by Messrs. Harvey
Savage. ex-COncilman Robert Archer
and John II. Montague. The dinner was
e.rvad in courses in a most admirable
manner. and the menu was composed OF
me daintiest delicacies and the choicest
Wands.
Messrs. c. z. Boiling, r. A. Taylor
and Levin Joynes were among the guests
The Weeks Amusements.
The New South" which viii be pre-
scented tomorrow evening at the Rlch-
rugnd Theatre is a drama full of dramatic
Interest and dramatic action. 1t pos
sesses the popular quality, II eXcites 'ne
audience and makes it enthusiastic. IL
IS fraught with heroics-of the kind hu-
man nature loves and adores us ap-
l.eals 10 the emotions are all OF the nopler
s0rf-our courage. our honor, our pa
tr0tism. or chivalry, our honest ahec-
lions. all that Is good in us is stirred up.
u mas a refrt hing flavor in these days OF
realism and naturalism. II has artlsuc
literary value II has strong emouonai
force OF the sort that turns us from the
realities TO the ideals Of life and makes
US better in thoughts and intentions, IN
these rnaterialistic days anything that
tends 20 keep us in check is welcome Inc
story told has a possible basis In con-
Construction the play is skilful. In char
axer drawing true 10 life. The dialogue
IL effective. The Part played by MISS
Phoebe Davis is fun Of contrasts. when
test the variety of the actress power Oh
expression. She proves herself more IMAM
equal TO the. requirements or the Ioic'
She is an earnest, sincere arust' "hcse
work carries conviction by us lncisiNe
emphasis. Mr. Joseph Grismer proves II
is possible 70 play a dramaucal nero III