The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-23
AM USEM ENTS.

has chosen to succeed "FrlUz III ireland" is
one Of the best of the series in which father
and son have appeared. Fritz in g Mad
house, has O. much clearer plot, several
touches OF real pathos and one scene that is
continuously and completely funny. Emily
Lytton has a part that shows her real capac-
tiles which had no chance to come out in the
milk and water heroine of Fritz in Ireland.n
As Collie Parker, brought up in Ireland, she
is thoroughly delightful. The supporting
company was III the main o good one. Louis
Grissell, as Uncle Joe Parker, was the best
actor on the stage during the evening. He
plays a warm-hearted, generous. sweet
tempered old retired cotton spinner,
gradually becoming more estranged from
his wife, who dislikes his mannerislns and
distrusts his fidelity. The unacknowledged
wife of his model son leaves her child upon
the Parker doorstep, and as the enraged lady
of the house confronts her husband with the
little one. Fritz vor Wolfenstein, amiably
DESTROYS of diverting her attention, calls out
"My child, come to your fathers arms" and
rings down the curtain on Act l. The quar-
rel between husband and wife in the first
scene, and the entrance of Collie are pieces
of acting much better than one would x
pect in a play of this character.
The scene changes to the chambers OF the
son. His father comes on an unexpected
visit. The son passes him off as a business
friend, pretending it to be q joke. In the
sons absence the father finds from the
friends how he is regarded. The scene is one
of real pathos, and Grissell as the warm
hearted old man, refusing until the last to
believe in his boys duplicity, deserves high
praise. The next act is in a private board
ing house, which was formerly a lunatic asy-
lum. This is pure fun from start to finish.
Everyone thinks everybody else crazy. In
the last act everything clears up.
The star of the company, next to Emily
Lytton, is Baby Spencer Sinnott. This
4 nal -..A1 xroor
Fortunately her part is not a speaking one,
and she is simply allowed to show her really
wonderful powers of facial expression and
pantomime. The little n is looking
healthier, too, and her cheeks are getting
rounder.
Blanche Weaver played two parts ad-
mirably. Edith Evelyn appeared in three
the average. Emmett has less to do in this
play than in the other, but does that little
well. His one piece of Germanism that was
natural was his exclamation of Zach, du
lieber' when Collie asks him to kiss her. He
still comforts himself too much and his sing
ing voice is not yet pleasant to hear, al
though it has improved.
Fritz in a MadhouseN will continue during
the week, with usual matinees.
New Opera House.
ga Piece of Steel . a new drama in four
acts, from the pens Of John Reinhart and
Alvin P. Seilhamer, saw its first production
last evening at the Opera House. The play
is an excellent one in every respect. The
mounting is particularly colnmendable,
and the entire cast is well suited to the
work. An interesting feature is the child
actress known as Little Lillian, who has a
leading part and plays it remarkably well:
Her skirt dances between the second and
third acts ~captivated the audience. The
scene of the play is laid in
Pennsylvania. Robert barrow, the Dis
trict Attorney of Franklin county, is in
love with Edith Morley, a young widow
and granddaughter of Philip Russell, a rich
banker. Elliot Russell, the bankers adopted
son, embezzles a large sum of money from
his guardian, and to prevent a discovery OF
his crooked work, murders him and charges
Edith Morley with the deed. The widow is
lover, the District Attorney, is forced to
prosecute the case, n is so overcome
with emotion that he drops the jar which
contains the heart of the murdered banker,
and which he displayed as evidence. b jar
breaks and he brushes the heart under his
foot. A piece of steel is then found in the
heart, and the dagger from which the stell
was broken is found in Elliot RusselPs
pocket. At this point a thunderbolt strikes
the young murderer and kills him.. This
scene, which closes the play, is decidedly re-
alistic. Mr.. Harrison j. Wolfe plays the
part of the District Attorney with vigor and
manly earnestness. The part of Edith Nor
lev is well played by Miss Valerie Bergere.
Elliot Russell, the villain, is played by Mr..
Frederic G.. Lewis, in a clever man.
ner. Mr.. Geoffrey Stein as Crump. a horse
thief, who gives evidence which helps con-
vict the murderer, was loudly ~applauded for
the excellent manner in which he played his
part. ga Piece of Steel' will be here all
the week with the usual matinees. After
each matinee Little Lillian will hold a re-
ception on the stage.
The Hoboken Theatres.
s'Hoss and Hoss," that renowned comedy
drama, known to everybody, with Willie
Collier figuring as the principal comedian,
and supported by an unusually talented
company, was played at Ross Hoboken
Theatre last evening. The play, which has
rather gained in excellence as it has grown
older. 1t was given last night with every
every bit of the snap and vigor that it has
heretofore been presented with. Hoss and
Hoss'' is an attraction that can never fail to
entertain. The engagement closes tonight,
and those DESTROYS of witnessing one of the
best efforts of the comedy now on the road
had best go.
Nearly everyone in any way acquainted
with the variety stage Is familiar with the
City Sports Company managed by Flynn
and Sheridan. 1t is this gigantic piece and
network of fun and mlrth and indicrous
situation that is at the Germania Theatre,
Hoboken, this week. There is a programme
of continuous fun, A laugh is evoked FROM
the beginning to the end. To drive mel
ancholy or the blues away this is the proper
formula. To enumerate the many good
things on the programme would be nigh
impossible as there are too many. The con-
Guiding burlesque is a brilliant one. To be
appreciated it should be witnessed. Satur-
day matinee.