Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-26
AGE OF THE ACTRESS
WOMEN THE LEADING CHARACTERS
now ON THE DRAMATIC STAGE.
Unious Attractions in the Japanese Thea-
trcs-wbat We VIII See This Week.
Personsl and General

the otherwise omnipotent actor-managers
arc powerless against this tendency. They
all complain-all who deal In modern
drama, at any rate-that they cannot
find really commanding parts for them
selves, but are obliged to act as feeders
10 their leading ladies. The heroine.
sympathetic or otherwise. gives her name
TO at least half of the famous plays Of
the dag. In the international armament
the female stars have far outshons the
male. Salvini has retired: we hear no.
thing of Rossi; Coquelin. though I'M
doubtedy an actor OF the first order.
is, simply by reason OF his sex, n star Of
no more than second magnitude. -Four
women, beyond all question, were the
leading figures In the past theatrical sea-
son--Ada Rehan. Eleanora Duse. Sara
Bernhard. and ReJane. No male per
former has held so large place In the
public eye or, indeed, has done such re-
narkablc work as these four ladies.
It is an incontrovertible fact that war
under any and all circumstances, both
for victor and vanquished. has most de-
leterious effect on the progress OF the arts
and sciences. There is at least crumb
of comfort. however. in the fact that his
trionic art will suffer in no great degree
from the influence OF the Oriental war at
present being ragged between China ana
Japan.
In Japan the dramas are usually based
on an historical or legendary romance
and are divided into two parts. one con-
versational, the other choral. The actors
carry on the conversation, but the chorus
is sung with the accompaniment or
'samisen." by n person or persons In the
"tsubo," screened seat on the right or
and above the main stage. The chorus ex-
plains the emotion and characters OF per-
sonages. and while this music-which Is
pronounced dreadful by all who have
heard it-goes on the actors make the
gestures only In this respect the
japanese drama resembles the theatre or
the Greeks, only 1t is to be hoped that
no such discordant chants ever offended
the sensitive Grecian ear.
Between the plays there Is an interlude
Of posturinE by Geisha girls. accom-
panied by the samisen. Danjiro IS the
greatest actor on the japanese stage, ana
has attained no little eminence. Ihe
unique speciality which has Deen the
foundation OF his fame consists OF dress
ing up as woman. with "kimono ana
obj" and going through the most tedious
posturings for over an hour. bending ana
swaying his body. and playing tricks with
a paper fan This Is called amusement
in Japan, and the people like nothing so
well as one OF these interminable dances'
ACCOMPANIED by a weird kind OF Japanes.
music that Is calculated TO drive an orui
nary being with acute arustlc heHsioli-
ties melancholy mad.
.Tne Star-Gazer" An eccentric astroho-
mer, who Is in search or comet o"
eccentric widow, who, interested In
astronomy. interests herself in an
astronomer; a doctor. who has discovered
q magic gas, the alias, and Killarney
broaue: an astronomical assistant, with
an India-rubber spine. These. with a
beyv of pretty girls. a number OF new
situations. plenty OF new ideas, spirited
action. constitute the interest OF Joe
Ott's new piece, "The Star-Gazer.' by
Franklin W. Lee which will be seen at
the Academy tomorrow. Coming from a
distinctively theatrical family, and school
cd in the art of comedy since childhood
Mr.. OFT has risen step by STEP passing
the various stages. until, having added
TO all his inherent talents and resources
and oripinality of eXecution-that is after
the STYLE of no other comedan-ne STANDS
today one OF the cleverest eXponentS OF
eccentric comedy. In THE Star-Gazer
he has abundant opportunity for the eXer-
ciso of his talents. and. as Professor
Juplter Mars, will emphasize his rights
TO the popularity he has won Throughout
the country In this he Will have the ara
of an excellent company, consisting Oh
Matt OFT, Phil OFT, Thomas Cook, James
Il. Watkins, Joe Harrington, May Jor-
dan. Celia Mathers. Marian McAlvlh'
Fannie Engel. Dorothy Gray, and others
OF equal ability.
Davis G. Keoch's delightful farce come
dv "The Hustler" will be the attraction
at the Academy next Tuesday. for one
night only. Mr. Keogh. who was IN the
city last week, announced that the piec-
had been rewritten. and Is now Digger
brighter and better than ever before
during the four years Of Its successiui
career. The latest novelties in vaude-
vile specialties. songs. dances. PAROLES,
and original farcical business will be In
troduced by the strongest company ever
nut upon the road by Messrs. Davis *
Keogh The principals are j. /. Tlerney'
the well-known comedian; r.. j. Hener-
man, the parodist: James +. Smith ana
James +. Cook whose acrobatic tramp
act scored a big hit In the music halls
and roof-gardens Of New York during the
summer: Henry Watson and Alice Hutch
ms. the German character comedian ana
coincidence. and Irene Hernandez. the
dancing soubrette.
Miss Mayme Leahy, OF this city, who
has marked cut for herself a career on
the entertainment platform as reader
and elocutionist. has lately returned from
the Boston Conservatory. where she has
been studying the higher branches OF elo-
cutionary art. In addition to charming
personality Hiss Leahy Is said 10 b.
possessed Of marked talent and ability
in her chosen line. Arrangements are
being made for her to give an entertain
ment at the Association Hall early next
month.
Henri Marteau. the eminent young
French violnist is now resting In Den
mark. In october he be4ns n eou'
through Norway, Sweden, and Russia
and returns to this country in January
playing in ten large cities in the South
ten concerts in Mexico. and fifteen In
California, returning 10 London, England
in May Tor the GnllnarmOnlc concert
which will be the last appearance unit
after his military service. Marteau viii
begin n regular tour OF the United State:
in the fall of 1896.
This season Roland Reed Is 10 make ;
feature of The Politician" comedy, by
the late David d. Lloyd and Sydney Ro-
senfeld.
Fanny Rice started the regular season
at the Biiou Theatre. in New York las
night with er new comedy farce. Miss
Innocence Abroad" The original French
play ran 800 nights In Paris.
Alexander Salvinis repertory for tn
early part Of this season Will include tn,
Three Guardsmen." "Ruy Bias" ''Dor
Caesar de Bazan," and Cavalleria Rus
ticana" Nearly every member OF las
seasons company has been re-engaged.
Rose Coghlan has started the rehearsa
OF the woman in White" the play i;
which she will be seen this season. The
play is dramatization Of Wilkie Collins'i
novel. by G. de Grimm. Miss Coghlai
will play the dual role Of Laura Farlit
and Annie Catherick.
The Hanlon's revival of "Superba" thi:
season promises TO eclipse any OF thei
former efforts. The famous spectacle !:
TO be a glittering display Of scenery, cos
tunes. magical tricks, transformations
and young and pretty women. The sea
son starts September Sd in Rochester