The Washington times., 1894-11-19
LONDON PLAYS And PLAYERS
Dramatic Productions OF the Week on
the English Stage.
PATCHING UP HIS EXCELLENCY
Kew Wagnerian Opera Shortly 10 Be Pro-
duced at Munich-"Mano Lescaut' TO Be
Turned Into a Musical Comedy of the
"GaietY Girl" Type-Interesting Gossip.

LONDON, Nov. 1s.-The stormy weather
which has prevailed here during the past
week has greatly reduced the casual attend
ance at the music halls, but it has not affected
the business Of the leading theaters.
Mr.. George Alexander reopened the st.
James Theater last Saturday, as stated in
these dispatches, but he has been compelled,
on account OF illness, to give up his part in
1.-THE Masqueraders" to Leonard Boyne, who
will replace Mr.. Alexander next week.
Evilyn Nillard quite eclipses Mrs Patrick
Campbell. whose part. Duleie, Miss Millard
now takes.
On Tuesday last, at a matinee of the Ave-
nue. Theater, Mary Elliott Page, young
American lady made her debut in a play en-
titled 'Ihe Joker" written by niece of the
late Baron Tennyson The Hon. Cosmer
Lennox, a nephew Of the Duke of Richmond,
also made his debut in a small part il the
same piece.
The Carl Rosa Opera Company produced
Prof. Hamish MacCun's opera "Jennie
Deans, - founded on Sir Walter Scott's 'The
Heart OF Midlothian. s. at Edinburgh last even
ing. before brilliant audience, including
the Marquis of Lorne, which received the
opera with acclamatlon.
DR.. Osman Carr has, since the premiere OF
His Excellency," taken the complaints Of
the critics very much to heart, and has been
working very hard in recasting most of the
numbers, forsaking the rather ponderous
Sullivan mannerisms into which his daily as
sociation with w. S. Gilbert unwittingly threw
him and returning TO the merrier methods
which be displayed with such success with
In Town." Morocco Bound" and "Go
Bang As a relief from this rather thankless
task, which has just been finished. DR.. Carr
is indulging himself by writing grand opera
Of the tUagical order
Another Wagnerian novelty is in prepara-
ton at Munich. In 1885, ct the age Of
Twenty-Five Wagner wrote a two-act opera,
called "Das Liebesyerbot," the libretto OF
which was based mainly upon Shakespeares
Measure for Measure" The part of Isabella
Was intended for that great priIna donna,
Schroeder Deyrieht.
The music is said TO strongly reflect the in
duence of Auber and Bellini. with whose
'Masaniello" and ''Montagues and Capulets'
young Wagner was much struck. The oper-
attic troupe al Magdeburg was at that period
in an incipient state oil revolt, owing to non-
payment OF salaries; but, one performance of
"Das LiebesYerbot' took place on March 20,
1885, for the managers benefit Hardly a
singer had studied the music. and the result
was disastrous.
A second representation was announced for
Nagners benefit. but the artists struck, the
audience was dismissed and the affair ended
IN free fight behind the curtain. From that
day to this the opera has never been heard.
The score has been preserved in the Royal
BaVarian Archives and a song. "Carnival's
faN - has Raau fa4 - 2 s1 to
yived at Munich this month. preceded by
Nagner's still earlier Die Feen" and fol-
lowed in chronological order by all his other
operas save "Parsital."
i. c. Burnard Is writing a musical comedy
OF a Galety Girl type for George Edwardes.
The plot is founded on the exquisite story
"Manon Lescaut, though just how the bur-
lesque viii treat so delicate theme has al
ready given rise to much curiosity.
lbsens new play will be published at
Christmas In Norwegian, German, and En-
glish. lsben announces that il is vet another
contribution to the eternal woman discussion.
The title Is TO be an eleventh hour revelation.
The revolt Of women has gained another
outWorE OF the citadel OF mans exclusive
ness, and hereafter ladies are to participate
In smoking concerts. The stock exchange
orchestra is the first to climb down. and the
Royal Amateur Orchestra will follow.
James N. Glover is exceedingly busy on the
music for the Drury Lanes annual panto-
mime. Dick Wilmington, and ali the other
preparations are making rapid progress.
Were it not for the traditional demands for
Christmas pantomime The Derby Winner
might apparently continue caracoling at
Drury Lane for months TO come. the nightly
takings this week having been over s.. 500.
such rehearsais as are possible on tour are
being actively conducted by Henry Irving for
his next production. king Arthur" Comyns
Carr in writing his blank verse play has not
once gone 10 Tennyson's 'Idylls of the
King" but to their source, good old Sir
Thomas Mallorys Mort d'Arthur."
Edith Chester, who was a member Of Ro-
sina Fokes first company TO visit the United
States, died here on Saturday last. she was
only lately married for the second time.