Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-30
THIS WEEKS PLAYS.
me stowawsy. Mile. Rhsa, The Passing
show, and Tho Two Colonies to b seen-
The llossrt-Drns Notes.

Show and The Two C0souoSs 70 ~ $3.50
The llossrt-Drnznas Notes.
An unusually attractive and weii-diver-
SIZED bill will be presented at our local
playhouses this week. "The stowaway'
a sterling English melod-ama which has
been successfully played through this
country for the past eight years. VIII De
at the Theatre tomorrow and Tuesday
Mile. Rhea, supported by strong com
pany. will open two-days' engagement
at the Academy, at special matinee
performance on New-Years-day present.
ing Bulwer Lytton's Lady OF Lyons.
In the evening Rhea will appear In 'Ths
New MagdaIene," and on wednesday she
will produce sardou's comedy, THE Pa
risians." for the benefit Of the charity
fund OF the Richmond Elks. THE Pass
ing Show" one OF the most successful OF
recent extravaganzas. will be at the
same house for one peri Jrmance only on
Thursday, and three performances or q
new comedy by an American author en-
titled The Two Colonels," will be given
at the Academy on Friday ana SATURDAY
"The Stowaway' is a melodrama OF
striking force and stirring incidents. The
story deals with the life Of son OF a
wealthy English gentleman, who fails
from affiuence to poverty through dissi-
patton. until, at the time OF the opening
Of the play, he has nearly lost all the
self respect he ever possessed. His better
ambition is aroused by good. pure girl,
and he makes the usual promise or refor-
nation. The villain In the case Is a
cousin, who will inherit the wealth OF
the hayward young mans father IL the
prodigal does not return. The well-laid
plans are foiled by the intervention OF a
faithful old servant. who has remained
steadfast in his loyalty to the degraded
son during his long absence. Upon this
foundation the play Is based. The pres
ence Of those two celebrated ex-bur-
glars, spike" Hennessey and "Kid' Nc
Coy, in a genuine safe-blowing act, which
Is an integral part Of the play and, there
fore, necessary TO the development Of
the plot. is novel bit OF realism which
has excited a good deal Of comment. The
company is a strong one.
Few plays have attained such success
as THE Lady OF Lyons either In modern
or the classic drama. The characters are
all well drawn. and their motives are
clear and easily understood. The ele-
ments OF poetry and romance are not
wanting, but there is also the rapid ac-
ton and development OF plot which be-
longs TO dramas of everyday life. In
addition to these merits. the play has a
strong and elevating love interest, which
gives to the chief characters their prin-
cipal attraction. In some respects the
play suggests methods OF acting which
are now considered obsolete. partly be-
cause modern actors do not know how to
employ the methods correctly. but the
popularity of the play has not diminished
because the traditions of Macready and
Helen Taucitt NOW Lady Theodore Mar
TIM are no longer observed. Rhea has
all the qualifications for an ideal Pauline.
The New Magdalen" has proved to be
one Of the best-drawing plays in Mile.
Rhea's repertoire. II is a dramatization
Of Wilkie Collins's novel OF the same
name, and Is too we'll known to need fur
Their description. II Is notable, first. for
a story OF strong human interest. with
out, as its name might suggest, develop
ing any of the moral. or perhaps rather
immoral. speculation Of some more
modern plays.
Wednesday night Mile Rhea will ap-
pear in a new comedy entitled "The Pa
risians," from the pen of Victorien Sar'
dou, and the box-office receipts will be
applied for the benefit of the charity
fund Of the Richmond Lodge Of Elks. The
comedy deals with the life and customs
of the Parisians at this present day, and
L. nrlya al
cate lines that stamp Sardou as q mas
ter tactican. The play abounds In natu
raj conversation, brilliant flashes OF wiz
constantly varying scenes. and a deeply
interesting plot. 1t Is in four acts. The
part Of the friend IL played by Rhea. TIL.
costumes employed In the piece are said
to be very costly and elaborate, and the
entire production one Of SURPRISING bril-
liancy. Rheas support. as always, viii
be good.
"The PasSing Show" Is the latest New
York Casino success. 1t - the new style
OF extravaganza, constructed on the Pa
rIsian Idea OF burlesquing the dramatic
successes Of the year. IL Is from the
pens of Sydney Rosenfeld and Captain
Alfred Thompson. and the music Is by
Ludwig Highlander. The piece Is made w
Of clever travestias Of current dramas
and operas. specialties from the Vaude-
villes, original and selected songs, and
an elaborate ballet. Among the principal
performers are Barney Fagen Jessie Car
Isle, Laura Biggari Burt Haverly. John
Donahue, Marie Deueste, The Sisters By
ron, VIII S. Rising. james Koran, The
Bore Family, Kate Harrison, Edna
Thorne, Terishoff. Lucy Pixley. Gertrude
Randolph, Adele ST. John. Minnie Stella,
I,,lo of Ia
Gould. The chorus Is said to be very
large one. and the scenery and costumes
elaborate and handsome.
1.-THE Two Colonels." new COMEDY.
from the pen of William Richard Goodall,
OF Washington, is aptly called a pas
toral of Vermont and Virginia" 1t Is not
a war play, as the period Of the story is
OF to-day. The two principal characters
are soldiers, who thirty years ago left
their homes to fight. but fate, which often
overrules the DEGREES OF kings, woye
around the men n circumstance Of friend
ship which sectionalism could never sever
In the story this bond OF brotherly love
is strained to an extent which will keep
the audience very uneasy as to the issue.
and herein lies the strength Of the play.
These old folks have young folks who
are responsible for the trouble. A love
match develops, and there Is also a slgh;
suspicion OF irregularity attached TO the
son of the Vermont soldier. This, how
ever, in the end Is cleared up and the
story winds up In the happiest mood
down among the pines OF old Virginia.
The young author Is the son of famous
old-time actor, who. forty years ago.
was well known as Handsome VIII
Goodall.
The Columbian University Mandolin
and Banjo Clubs, OF Washington. ID. C..
next few weeks. and open their trip to-
morrow night at the Mozart Academy OF
Music, supplying the T3d semi-monthy
musicale. The clubs consist of fifteer
men. assisted by Mr.. Melville d. Hensey
vocal soloist The following programme
will be rendered:
/. March of the Pasha's Guard. (fron
Tabasco,) Mandolin Club; 2. Serenade Of
Mandollns, Mandolin Trio: 8. But On,
Vienna, Banjo Club: 4. Solo (selected)
Mr.. Melville ID. Hensey; 8. Darktown Pa
troll, Banjo Club: g. Cavalleria de Rusti
cana, Mandolin Club: Z. Angels Serenade
violin, guitar. and mandolin; s. Bella Ma
zurka, Mandolin Club: Q. German Patrol
Mandolin Club; 10. Solo (selecteD. Mr.
Melville ID. Hensey; IL. Andalusia Waltz
Mandolin Club.
1.-THE Lost Diamonds" play In one
scene and one tableau. by Mr. G. p. Il.
Burgwyn, Of this city. who Is also the
author of "The Hugenot Lovers" has Just