Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-07
GOSSIP ABOUT THE STAGE.
Popular Taste Inclined to Nariety-S"pe'""
Rurped Out-Notes and Comments


The habItual theatre-goer in Richmoi'u
cannot fail to be strongly impressed ~
the canrice of the floating population Oh
cosuaI visitors TO the halls OF Thespls.
The last few weeks have demonstrates
with evident cIearness that the popular
taste at the present time inclines TO low
comedy. vaudeville and variety enter
tainments As a proof OF this assertion
II is only necessary to call TO MIND the
crowds that tested the capacity or the
Theatre TO see Corbett and his satelleues
give an exhibition OF fistic art, ana VINO
sat through vaudeville entertainment on
that occasion, that was by no means re-
fined, and even fifth rate; the roars OF
laughter that greeted the stale VIII ana
horse play OF Monroe's aggregation' the
repeated calls of the Stewart Sisters IN
their song and dance speciaities. distin-
guishable for nothing b. Grass stupidity
and suggestiveness; and the enthusiastic
reception of the coarsenesS or Rlchard
Golden. On the other hand, there were
the all but empty benches which con-
frOnted such artists as keene, TaVary,
Ward and James, Lillian Lewis ana
many other dramatic, properly So-called'
entertainments This week, however
should witness a revival Of interest IN
uTdHlts lOI VIII AlDbytNhftg iA -''NA ,
Stuart" "As You Like It." and Mac
beth" at the Academy next Friday and
Saturday, and Miss Marie Wainwright in
comedy drama at the Theatre. where she
will present THE Social Swim" Tuesday
and Wednesday nights and "Frou-Frou'
at the Wednesday matinee. there VIII De
no lack of refined and artistic entertain
ment, superbly presented.
"SUPERBA" BURNT OUT.
Hanlans "Superba," which was booked
to appear at the Academy, Will be unable
TO appear owing to the destruction by
fire OF John Stetsons Globe Theatre, at
Boston, in which all the elaborate scenery
and intricate mechanism, as well as all
the wardrobe used in the piece, were
totally destroyed The Hanlans estimate
their loss at S75, 600. 1t was rather IL curious
coincidence that "Superba" was playing
at the Globe Theatre when the fire broke
out. About a year ago this very play was
at Euclid Avenue Opera-House, Cleveland,
and the house was literally devastated by
fire. II this sort Of thing continues "Su-
perba" will be looked on as Il second
Kate Claxton.
Theatrical business cannot be said TO
be improving. In the South and the sec
lions OF the West which depend entirely
on agriculture it is fair but in New
England companies are said to be can
ceiling their dates, and in the western
reserve. which prospers only with its
manufactures, things look gloomy. The
holiday business of the big towns through
out the Union has not been up to the
usual standard. and the Christmas and
New-Year's Day matinees have been so
poorly attended that the "vevet" which
they usually bring has neither been "all
silk" nor a yard wide" There seems.
however. everywhere to be large-sized,
hopeful opinion, mother OF the wish,
probably, that a good time is coming
In the new year.
NEW PRODUCTIONS.
Saint Morses original Passion Play
is to be produced on an elaborate and
costly scale early this summer under the
direction OF John W. Hamilton. The
scenery and costumes will cost $4,000. It
will be done, It is proposed, in several OF
the large cities Of the country subsequent
to its presentation at Eldorado. Robert
c. Hilliard has already been engaged for
the role OF Pontlus PLATE.
An original opera. entitled "Cleopa tra,"
written by A. Phillips and I. Neuman
has been accepted by Lillian Russell. IL
will be produced by Canary and Ledeser
at the Casino next fall
Victoren Sardou has completed the play
he has been writing COR Charles Froh-
man. Much Is expecte,, OF the piece. as
Sardou SAYS ne has worked upon il solely
for the last six months Although no Of
fetal announcement to that effect has
been made It Is fact that the piece is
for John Drew. II is said TO be much
stronger In its dramatic interest than
Americans Abroad" the last play Of
Sardou's produced in this country
Jules Lemaitre, author Of LES Rois."
has been commissioned to write a play
for Sarah Bernhardt. The title is to be
'Agrippine
ACTORS AND ACTRESSES.
Lester Quincy. secretary to the Actors
Fund. says that at a rough guess there
are now idle in New York city at least
2.000 actors.
Fred Frear. who appeared In the lead
Ing role OF the "Algerans," which was
in this city on Christmas Day.
left the organization last week.
Louis James says his dislike for tragedv
Is so deeply seated that he will forsake
It at the expiration of his present con-
tract with Frederick warde. and devote
to comedy roles exclusively.
Ada Van Eta, who appeared in this
city with the Frederick warde Company.
c~N'a tHSobt0 " play Lazy IaltfOrDa
IN Mabel Eaton's production OF la Belle
Russo"
Rumor has It that Miss Tempest IL 10
resume her old place In the Fencing
Master" and that neither Laura Maple-
son nor Adele Richie will continue in
the cast. The "Algerians" will be taken
Off the road,
ALBAuGHS NEW THEATRE.
john w. Albaugh will build new thea
ire In Washington next year, the cost
OF which will be $4,000. The site is on
street between Thirteenth and Four
leenth. practically on New York avenue.
IN the centre OF the social and theatrical
NE OF the capital. and within three blocks
of the leading hotels and apartment
houses. The theatre will be 95 by Ia feet,
d a composite architecture, In which the
Moorish viii predominant, and will be
i've stories high. The building win have
4 roof garden, which win be so ARRANGED
that II can be closed In bad weather. II
s said that Mr.. Albaugh Is ambitious
10 build the most perfect theatre In the
A splendid opportunity Is offered for
lone Richmond genius to add lustre To
his name and $500 to his bank account
rhe Boston Commonwealth offered A
prize of the amount mentioned for the
best play on the subject Of Oliver Crom-
we'll The time originally set for the
closing Of the contest has been consider.
IDLY extended. II Is stated that already