The Washington times., 1894-05-27
LONDON THEATRICAL NEWS
Irvinq's Son Lawrence Has Written a
Play of Much Promise.
THE SCOTT-BUCHANAN AFFAIR
Barrie sick-willard's Plans : Theatrical
Celebrities in tho Fair Women Exhibi-
tion-Gallery, Pit and Green Room on the
Other Side.

i-""ichco receutly pau lOuS VlSAt
to st. Petersburg to study the language
and characteristics of the people, with
the view Of writing a play dealing with
the downtrodden and famishing Russian
peasantry and with the Siberian system OF
imprisonment. This play. in one act, enti-
tied Thine, Hunger, and the Law" was pro-
duced for the benefit of charity at the Critic
rion theater on Thursday. The new produc-
tion was efficiently played by the author, his
brother, II. b. Irving, Cyril Maude. and
others. Although not without merit, the play
lacks dramatic skill, and proved a tedious
entertainment. But it is only just to add
young Mr.. Irving's play gives hope Of better
things In the future. Personal interest in the
play and the author attracted good audience,
among those present being many leaders Of
the dramatic profession.
Although Z. s. Willard's programme for
bis coming season is not officially announced,
many applications for seats have already been
received and considerable interest is mani
tested in his plans.
At Days theater Mme Elenora Duse con-
tinues to meet with much success
AT the Royal Italian opera, Covent Garden,
Sir Augustus Harris is presenting series OF
operas, including Faust" "Orfeo," "Cav-
alleria Rusticana," philemon ct Bauccis," !"
."Pagliacci, Carmen" and "Falstaif" The
artists who are interpreting these operas are
Mines. Calve, Simonnet, Pauline Joran,
Bauermeister and Guilia and Sofia Rayogli
and Nm. Plancon, Aibers, Bonnard, Castel-
mary Iginio Corsi. Rinaldini, PM Corsi,
Armandi and Pelagalli Rosetti and others.
On Monday last Marie Geselschap. the
pianist, OF Boston. Mass, played at soiree
given by the Netherlands minister Baron Won
Kernebeck. The United States ambassador,
Hon Thomas F. Bayard, was among those
present
An American mystical musician named
Shepard made his debut this week at the
house OF Lady Milford. He is astonishing So
ciety drawing-rooms by his wonderful extern
porizing.
J. NJ. Barrie, the novelist, author Of "a
Window in Thrums," !" ETC., is seriously ill from
l2ng trouble.
The wordy warfare between Clement Scott
and Roth Buchanan, resulting from the form
er's notice of "a Society Butterfly In the Daily
Telegraph, has resulted in cross libel suits
This cause celebre will probably have a stimu-
lating effect upon business. Mr.. Scott pro-
posed in the first instance to convene a meet
ing OF the leading dramatic critics, place the
matter before them and act upon their decis-
ion; but before this intention was carried
out he finally decided to appeal to the law.
A representative of the Associated Press
was the first to acquaint Mr.. Scott with the
substance OF Mr.. Buchanan's speech, and he
laughed heartily on hearing what had oc-
Cured. That the sympathies Of the great
mass Of play-goers are with &C. S." has been
shown more than once since tie now famous
incident. At many recent first nights he has
been received with loud cheers from all parts
Of the house on entering his box with his
wife.
Here is an instance. as Oscar Wilde would
say. Of nature being forestalled by art: Two
years ago Mrs. Oscar Beringer wrote a one
act play entitled ''Salve," which is to be pro-
duced by the Independent Theater Society
next September. 1t is a powerful little piece,
and terminates with domestic tragedy OF
the most impressive character Many Of those
who read 'Salve." while fully recognizing its
dramatic force, expressed the opinion that
the circumstances could nat have occurred in
actual life. The authoress, however. main
tanned that there was nothing impossible, or
even very improbable, in her plot, and a short
time afterward her contention was fully justi-
lied, for tragedy was reported from Hun
gary similar In every respect to the one
chosen by her for dramatic treatment.
Theatrical celebrities naturally play no
small part in the '.fair women" exhibition,
which has just been opened at the Grafton
galleries, and from the time OF Nell Gwynn,
and even earlier. down to the present day,
the dramatic, world is well represented. The
Queen has sent her famous portrait OF Nell
Gwynn by Sir Peter Lely to the exhibition,
and Sir Joshua Reynolds Mrs Siddons
as the Tragic Muz," has been lent by the
Earl of Warwick. Among the other theatrical
pictures may be mentioned Gainsborough's
portrait of Mrs. Jordan Dorothy Bland), the
celebrated comic actress, who died in 1916;
G.. F. Watts portrait OF Mrs. Langtry, painted
many years ago, in which the famous "Jersey
beauty is wearing on her head what looks
like modified Salvation army bonnet; Sar-
gents ELLEN Terry as Lady Macbeth"
which gained medal at the Worlds Column
bian Exhibition, and W. Spindler's ''Sarah
Bernhardt."