The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-10
In LOCAL THEATERS.

In LUUAL THEATEkS.
William Collier, who came into promi-
nence as u comedian by his work with
Reed in "Hoss and Hoss," appeared at
the Academy of Music Saturday night
in his new comedy, "A Back Number"
by Edward e. Kidder. 1t is not an as
sertive comedy of the "Hoss and Hoss"
type. The action moves in a quieter,
smoother groove and the piece alto
gether Is Of more pretentious nature.
Benjamin Bennett, village school
master, and Shiftless Ike, his brother,
a human boomerang. In the first
named character Mr.. Golfers work has
been described as similar to that of Sol
Smith Russell.
1t is not. Collier will never be Rus
sell.
As Shlftless Ike, Collier was at his
best. His natural vivacity and spon-
taneity were constantly bubbling forth
and he kept the audience in merry
mood when on the stage in that char
from being 50 we'll done. Collier does
not successfully assume the role of the
patient, gentle, kind and unobtrusive
school teacher. 1t is phase of charac-
ter delineation apparently unsuited to
his temperament and talents. His Shift
less Ike, 1t is, that makes the piece en-
joyable. Collier was supported by a
fair company which included George w.
Leslie James r. Smith, Edward Clarke,
Louise Allen Collier Belle Bucklin,
Helen Renner and Matte Earle. The
story told by the comedy is interesting
and some of the dialogue really clever.
Manager Burgunder has booked an
unusually fine list of attractions for this
week. They include the best companies
now travelling and Scrantonians are to
be congratulated on the opportunity
afforded them Of seeing artists who
only at rare intervals leave the large
centers of population. The weeks bin
opens tonight with Blue Jeans" which
has been produced 400 times in New
York city. Magnificent scenery and
mechanical effects are introduced.
Tuesday evening Richard Mansfield
and his stock company will produce
Beau Brummell." This will be one of
the dramatic events of the season and a
large and fashionable audience will un-
questonably be attracted to the Acad-
emy tomorrow night.
James O'Neill, than whom there are
few more capable actors on the Ameri.
can stage, will produce "Virginius
Wednesday night He is supported by
capable company and will give fine
presentation OF that well known trag.
edy. Joseph OFT, of "Dazzler" fame
who is starring this season, will give
his new farce comedy Star Gazer'
Thursday night. He has character thai
sets off to good advantage his peculiar
comedy methods and is assisted by a
fine company.
Friday night Augustn Daly's COM
pany, which includes "Adonis" Dixey
will be seen in "A Night Off" and Sat
urday night the Bryne brothers will bt
seen in their pantomimlc comedy
Eight Bells"
Manager Laine, of the rockingham
has also secured some good things fol-
the entertainment of theater-goers thi.
week. Tonight and tomorrow night "a
Trip to Turkey" will be seen at tha
house 1t is extremely bright, emily
ened by catchy, sparkling music re
| fined specialties, and aballet and choru!
with over twenty pretty girls in daz
zling, oriental costumes. The cast in
cludes Richard German, Maurice Hage
man, Harold HartZell, +. G. Mack, G
f. Lynn, and Misses Florence Ellis
Kate Gilbert, Duddie Douglass, Donnt
Dean, and little Irene Franklin, the phe
nomenal child contralto. Thursday
Friday and Saturday nights the grea
realistic play, "The Engineer" will b,
| produced.
Manager Davis has secured Joseph D
| Clifton's powerful company for the ear
ly part Of this week at Davis theater
1.-The Ranch King" company has had
| continued run of successes and comes t
Scranton with unusually good press no
tlces and the comedy melodrama the,
present promises to be full of new fea
lures, new novelties and the elegan
costumes which are carried cannot fai
but be considerable attraction. Tn
comedienne, Miss June Agnott, is tn
principal actress and is most natura
and finished artiste and there is ever,
indication that treat will be afforde,
at the Davis theater during her stay Il
the city.