Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-23
COMEDY THIS WEEK.


Sess-ssscsnt Musical Competitions
uessap Abeu< stars and New Playa
To-snorrow and Tuesday, with a spe-
saaa matinee on the latter day. the
famous rural comedy. "The County Fair"
WA b presented at the Academy. This
0lay, like liz companion picture "T'he Ola
acmestead," depicts certain phases Of
New England life. which are most
amusing and entertaining. Its central
ugurS Is Abigail Prue. q certain prim
Ana practical spinster, whose many
ansurdities keep the audience In con-
slant roar. Around her rcvolvc other
easiiy-recognised characters. There IL the
erusty. old granger. the precocious waif,
the eTTing lad. the pure and tender young
girl. whose life has been spent among
rural simplicity. while up through 1t all
comes the pervadings incense OF honest
lives. bound together By simple ways ana
good deeds 1t Is a refreshing. funny. and
pure entertainment, furnished with
largo amount OF scenery. and Is rounded
OF with running horse-raSe. in which
real horses are used, which viii surpass
IN realism anything seen on the Academy
stage for some time.
Few authors can point to list OF
Gcccesscs so long and unbrokcn a. that
OF Charles IL Hoyt. IT Is safe TO say that
none OF the theatrical attractions OF the
presen, time receive more emphatic
and immediate endorsement than the
comedies presented by this clever play
wright. At the Academy next Thurs
day. Friday, and Saturday evening his
latest composition. entitled "a Black
Sheep" which he announces was con-
structed for laughing purposes only, VIII
receive its first presentation in this city.
IL Is said to be written in Hoyts most
happy vein. and the music IS supplied by
Mr.. Percy Gaunt. whose compositions en-
title him TO leading place among the
composers, who know how to charm the
public ear with popular melodies.
That there Is great curiosity on the
part OF theatre-goers to know what Play
wright Hoyt has succeeded in doing In his
latest work is evidenced by the unusually
early demand for seats The cast Is said
20 be the strongest Mr.. Hoyt ever con-
gregated In one company.
Mr.. Archie Boyd. an experienced actor.
who has been playing the part of Joshua
whitcomb In the "Old Homestead ar
t,stically for several seasons past. VIII
present his new rural drama, 1.-THE Coun-
cry Squire" at the Theatre Friday and
Saturday. Mr.. Boyd's great success In
the ''O,d Homestead" and his well-earned
reputation as an actor insure excellence
from dramatic standpoint The play
itself draws sap from the richest soil OF
our own social life; 1t breathes the very
soul OF our thoughts our transgressions.
our ambitions, our sufferngs, and our
aspirations. 1t Is neither an agony or
tears. nor a patchwork of bunooneries'
nor an indifferent succession Of parlor
tables. 1t is full of striking incident ana
grotesque humor. but 1t has story
plot. and plan.
Professor Jacob Reinhardt has comDlet-
I'd the score of the comic opera on when
be has been engaged for some consldera-
BILE time. The librettist, who for some
Veason-lt Is evidently a case In point OF
the modesty OF genius-does not wish MS
name to appear has constructed very
: clever plot which he has introduced with
xome charming lyrics and admirable dia-
logue The scenes are set in the fancnul
island of Rigomoree, which Is ruled over
by a potentate who makes up in shrewd-
ness for what he lacks in CIVILIZATION.
The island Is anexed-for a consideration
paid to the King-flrst by the English
then the french, thc N'N4i''s'"''
md lastly by the Americans, whose rep
resentatives discovering that they have
been duped retire in high dudgeon 10 ar
nitrate the matter while the King ana
his subjects are left 10 their own sweet
devices and the enjoyment Of snug
little sum. a charming love idyi Is IN
PRODUCED and runs through the piece.
From the opening phrase the music IS
merry and npt to nicely; ana so II con-
finues 10 the very clever finale. PROBES
sor Reinhardt never flags. he yields him.
self I'D TO concerted pieces OF the highest
ingenuity, and even more so TO muslcdi
Illustration, ever varying with the chaf-
Rctersstics and good actions OF the llbret-
to-the fitness OF his comic power Is re-
markable. There is nothing IN the IL
bretto for which he cannot ma an an
xwering device In the music. the paftcu-
lar effect is admirable. The cumulative
effect IL n whir Of vivacity-a perfect
chatter of melody. The Island OF RICO
moree Is Individually destined 10 become
famous.
The most interesting Of recent events
In the theatrical world was undoubtedly
the marriage Of Mss Cissie Loitus 10
Mr., Justin Huntley Mccarthy. IL was
quite a unique position that MISS Loltus
held upon the stage. Her genius as
mimic. 0cT gOuAh VIC
Invariably shone In al her work, and her
tndescribable child-like charm, all COM
bfned 10 win for her an extraordinary.
vague. and boundless popularity. Her
rather romantic and sensational stage
career has been appropriately capped by
a distinctly sensational marriage. True
40 her mimictic instinct. Miss Lotus has
given her admirers as faithful an imita-
ton Of an Old World runaway match as
she could manage In these prosac times
az fast-mails in place of crawling post
chaises. Miss LOTUS took her courage
IN both hands without going through the
usual formality OF asking permission or
her natural guardians.
Her husband is well-known In literary
circles as the adapter OF The Cahdl-
date" He. too. has enjoyed public iaNor'
and. as the youngest member OF the lrish
marty. he sat for some time in the Eng
lish House OF Commons. Ii was over hiS
allegiance. which at the time or the great
seceseion, inclined now towards Mr.. Par~
Parnell now towards his father, that 'he
most violent struggle of all was wased III
C,ommittee-Room no. Is. Mr.. Mccarthy
a dramatic-critic OF the Pail Mall Ga
yatte. n poet. a worshipper Omar khay-
Carn. and. in one sense. a follower of Car
lyle. for he is completing fouf-Voieihe
s.History OF the French Revolution OF
which not the icaSt ul No ,,
4, is said. that IL reads Ike novel
II Is reported that Mr.. DAILY has engaged
Mrs. Huntley Mccarthy 10 take the IN
renue roles formerly played by Aua
Rehan. Mr.. Mccarthy has been engaseu
10 do adapting and trans!ating.
The list OF new music. for sale at the
focal music stores, includes The oid
Point waltz" and the "Staunton Grand
March" by Nj. Charles J. Mchenry.
young composer OF this city. me pieces
80 no, only very attractive in themselves,
but give promise Of still better ones to
como. They are fresh and bright, and
viii prove most acceptable rom the
many beauties they unfold ana because
they are easy OF execution.
Other pieces are "Linser, Longer. Loo
fsldney jones'. II Heard Her Voice
Again" and while the Dance Goes On.
nv Charles X. Harris. the composer OF
a.. ever-popular after the Ball.; 1.-THE
widows Appeal for Her Boy" by Hall.