The evening world., 1894-09-01
The LONDON STAGE.
" Gaiety Girl" Company on Its
Way to New York.
Henry Irving 0eplores the Advance.
ment OF Music Halls.
He Will Open the Lyceum Season
with " King Arthur"

LONDON. Sept 1.-The heatrical
week has been chiefly noticeable by the
return to town of the last vacation
stragglers. the reopening OF Terry's
Theatre and the Comedy Theatre. and
the sensa tional announcement to-day Of
the marriage, on Wednesday last. at
Edinburgh, of Justin Huntley McCar-
thy. the son OF Justin Mccarthy. NJ. T..
to Cissy Lotus, the rising young
actress. who has already made quite a
name for herself "a an imperscnatcr OF
leading actresses.
The theatrical world, in addition to
discussing the McCarthy-Loftus mar
riage, Ia also commenting upon the hall
given at the Prince of Wales's Theatre,
yesterday evening. by MIR. George Ed
wardes to his American "Gaiety Girl
company. The Gaiety girls sail to-day
by the steamship Berlin, from South
ampton for New York. This ball com
p.etej round of farewell gaieties,
which Included a crowded "at home" at
the same theatre on Thursday last. At
Waterloo Station this morning the Gal
ETY. Girls were sent off on their Jour
ney in grand style. the bearers of hun
dreds OF farewell letters, kilograms, bou-
quets. &c.
Henry Irving confesses himself de-
, spondent as to the future OF English
drama. He says: THE music halls are
unduly overlapping the theatres, and
many theatres are taking on the vulgar
ways of the halls"
During his vacation at Gairioch Mr..
Irving unbosomed himself on this sub
ject. What Ia wanted, he thinks, Ia
state or munic pal aid and recognition.
The theatre Is or might be a great edu-
cative and moral power, and, in diff
ferent senses, 1t stands greatly in need
Of municipal recognition"
Mr. Irving has repeatedly discussed
this proposition with Mr.. Gladstone, who
has often sat with him in the wings of
the Lyceum stage while the play pro-
ceeded. Ten years ago Mr.. Gladstone
did not think the British nation would
ever grant such recognition to the
drama, but, quite recently, before the
present calamity overlook him. the eX-
Premier expressed the view that the
mind of the English electorate was I'M
dergoing a great change in regard to the
theatre, and that sooner than some
thought II might become a national in
stitution."
Irving's usual Autumn tour begins
shortly in Edinburgh. and will occupy
his time pretty well up to Christmas.
In January he opens the Lyceum season
with Comyns Carrs dramatic version of
king Arthur" which, with its wealth
of incident and striking personnae, will.
Mr.. Irving expects prove a great sue
cess Sir Arthur Sullivan Is still at work
on the incidental music. and the scenery
Is being designed by Burne Jones
King Arthur will be followed each
evening by a little piece from the pen OF
Conan Doyle, In which the principal part
will be taken by Irving.
Last Thursday Messrs. Lestocq and
Robson produced 1.-THE Founding at
Terry's Theatre, practically opening the
Autumn season. The Founding per-
sonated by MIR. Sydney Brough, becoming
engaged to a young lady very particular
upon the subject Of parents. exactinS
that everything in this direction must
be formal and regular, is obliged, being
long-lost progenitors.
His ups and downs while engaged in
this quest furnish the fun, which is clear
ly farcical. and which immensely amused
a first-night audience.
Charles Groves played the part Of an
excitable Major; Susie Vaughan was the
Majors wife, and Emelne oxford pro-
vided the music hall flavor, without
which farce-comedy nowadays seems to