The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-09-08
THE LONDON STAGE.
New Meledrama, with Opening
Scene in Colorado, q Success.
n Lillian Russell Succeeds In Lon.
don She Will Return In '95.
"Ths Theatrical Stores, Limited"
New British Enterprise.
Copyrighted, 1884 by tn. Associated pr.sa)

Copyrighted 1884, by the Associated Prsss)
LONDON, Sept S.-The first of the
notabllities who arrived at the Comedy
on Saturday evening last, the date OF
the first performance of THE New
Woman" were the Kendals. They were
received with loud applause from the
Dit and gallery. Clement Scott, the dra-
matte critic, was the next person recog-
nized by the audience; his appearance
was the signal for a storm of Kisses.
Some time later the Duke and Duchess
Of York appeared in the royal box. and
they were welcomed with cheers and
loud cries Of, "How's the baby?" "Glad
TO see you." &c.
This peculiar demonstration on the
part OF the Londoners was mildly repeat
ed on Thursday last at the Adelphi,
where the new melodrama by Haddon
Chambers and B. C. Stephenson, the
American rights of which belong to
Charles Frohman, was produced for the
frst time before brilliant frst-night
audience. It is called THE Fatal Card"
after being advertised as Life" "A
Life for Life and THE Game OF Life"
The first act of THE Fatal Card"
takes place in Colorado. where George
Forester and Jim Dixon are the lead
ers OF a gang OF robbers and card
sharpers who have been warned by the
Vigilance Committee to leave Rising
Star within twenty-four hours. All es-
cape but Forester, who Is about to be
lynched when Gerald Austin, at the in
stigation of Mercedes, who loves For
roster, contrives his escape. The cur
tain comes down on the situation,
SHOULD we ever meet again take this
card" &C.
In Act II. the scene changes to the
Thames, where Forester. now called
Marrable. is living in affiuence with his
daughter Margaret, in love with Austin.
Austin's father. a wealthy stock broker
, in the city, Is expecting the arrival
from New York of 100000 in bonds,
which Marrable and Dixon decide to
steal
Some particular melodramatic value
Is supposed to attach to act Ill, from
the fact that the bonds used are not
the degenerate bonds of a property man,
but of absolute value. specially brought
!! each evening from a Safe Deposit Com
pany and thlther returned every night
under guard Whether or no this is
consequently to advertisement, has not
yet been disclosed.
The scene opens at the offices, where
Marable and Dixon are awaiting the
arrival of the clerk with the bonds.
Gerald Austin enters. has a strong in
terview with his father about his be-
trothal, and exits leaving his father to
be chloroformed by Dixon. The victim
Lr nd tc
dered by Dixon. who escapes with the
bonds, while Marrable is discovered by
Mercedes standing over the dead body
Of Austin.
Act Nv. is given up to the troubles of
Gerald Austin. who is accused of the
murder. arrested and escapes.
The last act Of the traditional five Is
ut the rendezvous of the gang, whittier
Gerald Austin has. somehow or other
managed to go, and has been bound and
gagged. The villains are seen drawing
lots as to who shall kill him. Marrable
and Dixon quarrel over the booty. and
Austin hears the truth. Then, when
Marrable, who has drawn the lot, is
D about to murder Austin, Gerald gives
Marrable a miniature to be conveyed to
his mother as a dying wish. Therein
harrable finds the card given to Austin
IN Act l. OF course, Austin is set free,
marres the girl of his heart, and the
villains are promptly disposed of by the
unoriginal device of dynamite explosion.
The Fatal Card" was received with
urriffic enthusiasm, and II Is now, be.
You'd doubt, the greatest Gatti success
~ Tor some years past, to which result the
acting Of William Terriss, w. L. Abing