The Washington times., 1894-09-10
Lillian Russell Scores Great Success
in Queen Of BriIIiants."
PIT AND GALLERY PLEASANTLY
Rev. DR.. Boyd Interdicts the Production Of
Sowing the Wind" Within the Jurisdic-
tion Of 0xford-Theatrical Store the Latest
and Most Ambitious Enterprise.

LONDON, Sept. 9.-The past week has fairly
opened the autumn dramatic season, which,
thus early, has been marked by some Of those
peculiar incidents of the London play-goer's
personal demonstrations from the gallery
and pit
''The New Woman, y Sydney Grundy's latest,
just produced by Comyns Carr at the Comedy
Theater and which hos proved popular sue
cess, was one OF the plays which brought
forth the demonstrations referred 70. The
first of the notabilities who arrived at the
Comedy on Saturday evening last, the date Of
the first performance, were the Kendais. They
were received with loud applause from the
pit and gallery. Clement Scott, the dramatic
critic was the next person recognized 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 baby2" Glad 10 see
you" etc.
This peculiar demonstration on the part Of
the Londoners was mildly repeated on Thurs
day last at the Adelphi, where the new melo-
drama by Haddon Chambers and b. c. Ste
phenson. the American rights Of which be-
long to Charles Frohman. was produced for
the first time before a brilliant frst-night
audience. 1t is catied The Fatal Card,
after being advertised as Life, "a Life for
Life" and The Game of Life For this
production the Messrs. Gatti had made elab-
crate preparations, which were evidenced not
only in the fine scenery and properties but in
the cast which includes William Terriss,
Murray Carson, Miss Milward aud Miss Vane.
''The Fatal Card" was received with terrific
enthusiasm, and it is now beyond doubt a
success.
SOWING THE WIND" INTERDIcTED.
The Rev. DIR. Boyd, master of Hertford and
vice chancellor of Oxford University, has in
terdicted any further representation Of sydney
Grundy's Sowing the Wind" within the uni
versity jurisdiction. Upon this Mr. Grundy
writes: ITO laymen, at the end Of the nine
teenth century, il seems a Bit mediayal, this
extreme care for the morals OF a set of young
gentlemen for six months abStine nee at Ok
ford by six months indulgence at music halls
in London and elsewhere. Perhaps DR.. Boyd
is attempting to secure for his charges 4 fair
yearly average" What he can see injurious
in Sowing the Wind - would. il is said in
theatrical circles. puzzle any one but the Rev.
Dr. Newman Hall
On n recent production of Mr.. Grundy's
comedy at Edinburgh, the veteran Prof
Blackie wrote TO the Scotsman 10 say the play
was mot merely play but a sermon, and
any am likely TO hear tomorrow from the
best pulpit orator in Edinburgh. I say there
fore that it is not merely unYise in the Office
bearers of Christian church TO put a stamp
of dishonor on the pictorial presentments Of
the stage but it is the imperious duty Of the
Christian church 10 give a public acknovl-
edgement of the sister services of the theater
by the patronage of the drama generally, and
specially by their individual and official pres
ence at the representation of such highly
moral and essentially Christian plays as Sow
ing the Wind, one of the best sermons, have
no doubt, that was ever preached on Hosea
viii:7."
Lest the stage should be too much "stuck
up over Prof. Blackies championship, DIR.
| Newman Hall is out with piece of denun-
citation in the Review of the Churches. decIar-
| ing that 1.-The theater of the present day, as
whole is calculated TO do moral ininry both
! to performers and spectators and. therefore.
should not receive the sanction of the Chris
tian church. The plain truth is that Of the
| three most popular plays the subject OF one
| is incest and murder of another unbridled de
! bauchery, and of another the career Of
| fallen woman"
MAsCAGNI's NEW OPERA.
| Mascagni is at work on new opera, the
book of which is based upon the romance by
Nicolas Misas. called Priest and Gentleman
The new work will be called ''Serafino DIAL
bina. and is promised to be ready for the
autumn OF '95. His "Ratcliff'' is to be pro-
| duced at the Royal Opera House. Berlin, in
! November. .'Ratcliff'' is drawn from Heine's
| well-known story.
| At the Lyeeum Theater last night was pro-
| duced ''The Queen OF Brilliants, the new
| comic opera; in which Miss Lillian Russell was
! specially engaged TO sing the leading part.
| There was a crowded and brilliant house.
! Many Americans were present, among the
| number Mrs Mackay her daughter. Princess
| Colonna. Mr. j. r. Roosevelt. secretary OF
! the American embassy; Mr.. Henry White. and
! Miss Nav Yohe All the London first nighters
were out in force. The opera was splendidly
| rendered.
The costumes were magnificent Miss Rus
! sells empire gowns were miracles of the
dressmaker's art. The American actress was
given a gratifying reception. She was IL ex-
cellent voice and justified the press predic-
| tions of her ability. Several cheers were
given and many flowers sent TO her. Annie
Meyers, as Orsola, scored distinctive sue
cess. as did also Arthur Williams and Madame
! Aamaga. Lillian Russell announces that if
she is "a success in 1.-The Queen OF Brilhants"
she will return to London in the spring of
1895 for a season, when probably she viii
open in the comic opera of Cleopatra now
being written for her.
"Verdi is engaged upon a new work, the
setting of THE Tower of Famine" from
''Dante's Inferno" The hbretto deals with
the tragic fate Of Count Ugolino. the leader
of the Guelphs at Pisa. 1t is reported that
Verdi, like every other composer in Verdi $
time. has abandoned his attempt TO set
Lear" TO music
! THEATRICALs STORES.
The latest development in theatricals, the
the theatrical store, limited. with $4,000 Q
capital, is about to be brought out. Most of
the capital is already subscribed. The COM
pany has been formed to acquire the business
of all the principal London costumers and
wigmakers, and to supply scenery, costumes
stage furniture and machinery. everything
required by producers Of plays, theatrical
universal provider.
| big building Is 70 be erect ed adjoining