Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-27


ftetchea, banjo pIckin'. JIG dancin'. plan
taf1on melodies. oid-tims songs ana cbor,is
md . general revival Of the good. old
times" The enviabie reputation enjoyed
W Mr. Miller and his sterling combina-
ton II 20 well known that further COM
ment IL unnecessary, An evening spent
IN their company cannot fail 10 prove In
structives interesting. and intensely d.
verting
Eumcr has busted herself somewhat
with the probability Of an open-afr play.
10 be produced By our leading amateur
organization, and Il II devoutly to be
hoped that In this connection she has not
tustifed her reputation as a false jade,
II memory holds her seat unshaken."
the organization in question boasts no
uncomfortable amount of dramatic talent
IN its own right. There Is absolutely no
thing TO equal the popularity OF the
opsn-air play. II Is an unfaiIing draw.
Its success Is impefflied by the vagaries
Of the weather alone, and II that be well,
then nothing can be III. Fortunately the
cioudless sunshine. In which, In the
natural order OF things. we shall shortly
be basldng Is especially designed for the
announcement OF the pastoral. and those
who have at heart some particular charity
should lose no time in impressing into
the service some score OF dainty maldens
who with song and dance shall while
away an hour or two. The audience Will
flock from all sections. Their enthusiasm
VIII pass all bounds, undamped even by
the undeniabie drawbacks which are
concomitant Of natures theatre. II is inn
material that the acoustic properties are
not OF the best; that the sunshades OF
the occupants OF the front row exceed
the proportions OF the largest matinee
nat ON record; that IL Is not impossible
that the audience win be half baked In
the glare Of the sun. All this counts as
nothing when weighed with the magic
stretch Of turf In front with It's back
ground OF trees-a set OF which casts
into the shade the most finished work
OF the most skilful scene-painter.
The Marie Tavary Grand-Opera Com
pany, which has been reorganized. will
begin tour OF the principal cities OF the
United States, opening in Brooklyn in the
early part OF September They will Ill
an engagement In Richmond later In the
season. when they will present some
OF the great operate works at popular
prices.
Canary & Lederer have intimated that
hereafter no actors or actresses will be
given free passes to any OF the atirac-
lions appearing at the Casino while under
their management. This decision was ar
rived Mt owing 10 rhe back-capplng by
professionals OF "The Passing show.
which is the current attraction.
Thomas O. Seabrook has accepted a
comic opera. the libretto OF which rs by
Harry II. Smith, and the score by Lud-
wig Englander, composer Of "Tbe Passing
Show" The opera will not be produced
until the latter part OF next season.
Della Fox has retired from the De Wolf
Hopper Opera Company. Her place has
been filled by Mrs. Hopper.
Paul Arthur and Jefferson de Angels are
10 ID the leading comedians OF the Della
Fox comic-Opera Company next season.
Glen McDonough has nearly finished
Miss Dynamite" the comedy IN which
Marie Jansen Is to star next season.
At last Minnie Seligman Is to produce
Lady Gladys" The new play will be
seen for the first time tomorrow, at
the Madison Square Theatre, New York
"Adonis' IL dead.
The Riley Dramatic Company dlsbanded
at Charlottesville last week.
Sol. Smith Russelrs tour for next sea-
son Is entirely booked.
The approaching sale OF the Academy
Is an event that Is likely to mark n new
era In the theatrical history OF this city
At present each OF our play-houses vles
with the other for dreariness and dis
comfort. and any change tending to I'M
prove the present status will be most
welcome. The propretors OF the Academy
have, through a succession of unfortunate
circumstances. been prohibited from car
rying out improvements and repairs, the
need Of which Is apparent to the most
casual observer, and an undoubted bar
gain awaits some lucky capitalist who
shall secure the house and by the judi
cious outlay on Its interior enhance the
value Of his purchase by precluding all
possibility of the erection of new house,
and make the Academy the leading theatre
not only Of Richmond. but In this section.
1t Is TO be hoped that one OF the first
improvements made will be the addition
OF another gallery between the dress-elr-
Gle and the present abode OF the gods,
thereby improving the present deplorable
acoustic properties OF the hall. IL Is
definitively stated that should a pur-
chaser not be found n stock company
will be formed with view 20 erecting a