Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-25
NEWS OF THE STAGE.
PLENTY OF FINE MUSIC AND COMEDY
HERE THIS WEEK.
The Observance OF Good Friday Becoming
CcneraI-Corbett becomes Brady's Full
Pnrtner-New Productions.

A growing custom. and one OF compare
lively recent birth. IL the closing OF. thea
tres during Holy Week. When Mary An
derson first declined to appear on the
]. stage on Good Friday night. many people
were inclined to scoff at what they con-
sidered an affectation. and when Mr. Au-
gustin Daily adopted the custom OF closing
his theatre on that night each year, there
! was still, further expression OF disapproVal.
1t seems likely. however. that In Ameri-
ca there IL tendency to do Willingly
whafin some other countries Is command
cd nv law. and thus the observation OF
Good Friday In the theatrical Held mere
will become more and more general. The
plan has its material. as well as It's sentl-
mental advantages, for the reason that
Good Friday is not as rule proitapie
day for theatrical amusements.
OUR BILL THIS WEEK.
The remainder OF this season IL bright
with promise. for attractions VIII not ohIy
be more numerous at our theatres pu'
| the standard will be higher, ana n,o,
uniform. This week opens Win ,he az.
University Glee Banjo. ana Mahuoi'''
Club at the Academy tomorrow ms
This concert will prove one Oh tle e'e ,.,,
OF the season. not only musicaiiy' ps.
sociaIiv Tor n Is one Of the strongest
organizations of the class that WISH hiCn-
| mond, and the club has large colel y
of admirers In this city. the program
this year contains many ne" anu ~
tractiye features. and the CLUB Is sa'u
to no stronger than ever before
Al the Theatre on the sarie day Don
man Thompson's beautifu, pay Inc
ola Homestead" will fill return date'
for matinee and night performances oilS'
This play Is perhaps the best OF us CLASS
AZ present before the public. The story
which Il unfolds is clean, wholesome
one containing an excellent moral. ami
a. 80 familiar to everybody that IL need
not be referred to at any length. AmohS
the many excellent features which gaN'
"'rbe Old Homestead" such popularity
when IL was presented here a few weeks
ago. are its musical on $. The douui'
male quartette, and the chorus of twenty
selected voices. rendering in richest
melody the old songs which seem SO al
propriate, and the beautiful palm service
of the Episcopal Church are features
which will not readily be forgotten.
At the same house on Tuesday evening
and at Wednesday matinee. the Lyceum
Theatre Company will present East
Lynne" and on Wednesday night. Lady
Audley's Secret" This company, al
though it must not be COMPOUNDED with
Daniel Frohmans celebrated stock com
pany, Is a capable and clever aggregation,
and includes some well-known actors and
actresses. The plays are excellent dra-
matizations of Mrs. Henry Woods IA
nous novels
LEO WHEATS VISIT.
On Wednesday night at the Academy
music lovers will be given genuine treat.
for Mr.. Leo Wheat is To appear, assisted
by Mrs. Nellie Wilson Shir-Clin and the
Tuxedo Mandolin and Guitar Club. Mr..
Wheat. who has justly been styled the
musician OF the future" Is a master Of
the technique OF his art. and has Won
derful and brilliant execution. He Is Il
genius I'm Interpretation and improvisation.
To the former Is due his reputation among
critics. and to the latter his success with
the masses. The famous Cradle Song,
which the divine Patti sings so often, was
composed by Mr.. Wheat, and "A waltz of
his THE Girls of the South" is destined
TO become very popular. The Tuxedo club
Is considered one of the finest organlzl-
lions OF its kind In the country, and Mrs.
Shir-Clin has won an enviaDle reputation
for herself In Washington. as she IL en-
dowed with beautiful soprano voice Of
great range and exceptional quality.
Next Friday at the Academy the last
on the list this year Of the college glee and
banjo clubs will furnish delightful eye-
ning's entertainment. The Pennsylvania
University Clubs will pass through Rich
mOnd on their second annual tour. and
will give one of their brilliant concerts
at the Academy in the evening. The au-
dience will no doubt be large and fash
ionable. This Is the first year that these
clubs have visited this city. and only the
second Of their existence. The organiza-
tions won golden opinions on their last
tour from every town they visited.
JIM GOING TO LONDON.
James j. Corbett Is TO appear in Gen
tleman Jack" AT the Drury Lane Thea
tre London. on the I'D Of next month,
for an indefinite run. The company VIII
comprise several American actresses, but
the actors will all be Engishmen. with
the exception OF Robert Gayior. Delaney.
Donaldson and MacNeigh will appear
with Corbett in the scenes representing
physical contests.
Corbett has acquired II half share in
all Manager Bradys theatrical ventures.
They will produce next season the
new naval play. odd Glory" by
Charles T. Vincent and W. y.
Brady, new play for Joseph
Grismer called The Secret Service" ana
another for Robert Gaylor. entitled BOSS
Sweeney" satire on ''bossisrn' and local