The sun., 1895-03-26
NEW THEATRICALS SCARCE.
A MONDAY WITH BUT OWE STRANGE
PLAY, AND THAT FRENCH.

interesting factor In our stnRs hmusements,
through his control of New York theatre, be-
gan an engagement at the Harlem Opera House;
but the piece was his familiar dramatization
of Tho Scarlet Letter" a. to which there
is nothing moro to say. Cora Urquhart
Potter returned to broadway at the Herald
square, accompanied by Kyrle Bcllew, but her
long absence from the city had been recently
broken by a reaprearance in Harlem, at which
time she acted in Charlotte Corday,"
as she did ngain last night. A de-
cidediy friendly and fashionable audience
was present. Mrs. Potters bad mannersms
OF speech had never been worse. but
the nature of the Corddp role as written tureid-
ly and heavily in this play, served to palliato
them with somo 5omblance OF fitness. and there
fore much of the applause may have been melted
by sincere admiration In undiscriminating hear
ers. Mrs Potter's elocution was wvnde derful In Its
faultiness. Broken sentences. inaudible clauses.
strange mispronunciations, oxtravagant intiec-
tiuns, and all the vocal tricks OF . burlesque
tragedinn wero crowded one into another in her
uttsrances. and only left room once In long
while for a reasonably spoken word. But II
sensitively critical ears were offended no
eyes shared In the discomfort. for Mrs.
Potter was q pleasant sight, whether in tho
guse OF Charlotte herself or when posing as
Judith In tho artists studio. She was at all
times a striking figure, significant in movement
and eloquent in attitude. even when serio-como
in her teeth gritting sing song language.
Mr.. Bellows depletion Of Mdrdt's diseased
body and mind was . case of fascnatingly
repulsive art, Thi. abhorrent rcpresenta-
0n o. and wr and he
such an exhibi. Of malsdies that women
when he was shown asoak in u medicated bath.
Mr.. Bellsw in this role provides a nauseous.
hideous being that will disturb the appetites
and haunt the dreams Of many who see him. 1t
is a mastery performance, however, and to be
admired for that.
At the Garden Theatre yesterday evening tho
boldest attempt yet made here to make
woman look II she were lying naked
before an audience of thousands was made,
and was witnessed aud applauded by
crowded house. 1t was at tho two hundredth
performance of Little Christopher" and as it
was souvenir night hundreds of women and
many young girls and boys and children attend
cd the show. Aside from the drawing power
Of souvenir night word had been passed around
that some startling innovation would be
made in the living picture exhibition, and seats
commanded an extravagant price. Spectators
did not hesitate to assure purchasers with
q wink. especially young men who were
inclined to bicker over the unusual prices.
that they would get the full worth
of their money. Tho wink did tho business,
and before the performance began the specu-
lators were asking 81 for m orchestra
ticket. and tho sign standing room only"
was set up outside tho door. 1t was
the first time. one Of tho older speculators said.
that the sign had been used for a year: Inside,
the people standing filled the area back Of the
Thirteen of the living pictures were shown in
the second act and % IN nine Of them 1,a women were
tines Of the body. without a wrinkle from
the neck to the soles of the foot.
s AND the bos.a mails
too for here In all of the
as to include some device to keep off the police.
lnsix Of the pictures last night women faced the
centre of the house in attiludrs indescrably in
Ina Happy Moment the laughter on the
faces faces Of the three women-ordered no doubt to
further tho verisimilitude-provoked exclama-
lions OF concentration in some parts OF tho
,uS rXish. 1" wore bit of 5lns lace drapsry care
and drawn at only one thickness across the
The concluding picture, down on the pro-
Srsmme era % as LA la, Cascade was announsed need as
the tho others had % been. and TSs Standing % Beneath @
waterfall. The water FLASHED upon her until
& shc shone hon IN the &c calcium light as though she
The management OF this latest affront TO pub
lie decency. not content with presenting a dis
gravated by vulgar comments from the actors
who sit on the stage While the pictures are shown.
announced as by Willie k" and. " He Kissed
AIs, Ne" as by Col: BreekinridgEe" The latter
e
the actors made the osculatory sound in chorus.
=, One Of the things to be noted last night was
that whereas heretofore 1t has been not uncom-
an especially bold display Of female nudity.
policemen present. but at the box Office it WAS
said that no attempt had been made to stop the
pictures. nor had Superintendent Byrnes been
heard from. The comments in the lobby were
various n.. put the people apparently M had become
eray complacent in their Dt expressed views Of
the admitted indecencies, although some went
a 20 tar as to wonder how long he Police superin-
coin pruriency.
There was well-pleased audience at tho Ly-
ceurn Theatre yesterday afternoon to listen to
David Christie Murray's reading Of his Topn
Topics story. why? Says Gladys" Mr..
Murray has a strong face that reminds ono
somewhat of Henry Ward Beecher He wears
his silvery hair combed back in the style of the
old-time pastor CT Plymouth Church. Moreover.
hisvoce is wonderfully like that of Beecher. The
stage was set to represent a parlor. and In tho
centre centre Sf the front was tall reading desk upon
A. he read. Ho made no gestures to speak OF.
hs wSe af Sor. in
began by requesting his hearers to bear in mind
mat mat his Inxs production was story not
letters" he added; and in tho frst act the
letters are gilded In tho second act they are
calling and In the third broken" At tho close
Of the reading of the :" first act" the hearers,
snnI, WhS had! had msnifested interest all through.
srly. s;Grlty regarded the story as clever
tion. Mr.. Murray bowed his acknowl-
sagement Of the compliment and started off on
tno second act" Ho niodulated his voice to
express the pathetic or the humorous In way
mat gave his meaning without OVERRIDING the
mailer Perhape the best portion OF his effort
vas in the scene where GLADYS rsproachsd
aheiI heI husband because she thought he
alu not appreciate her. The wife's
sollloluy was given so well that the hearers-the
Ereater @ number of whom were, women-hardly
anew whether to cry or to laugh. The doscrip-
.sm non Of the manner in which smother woman
came IN between the husband and the wife Was q
piece OF vivid word painting. At the close tho
uo'olist was recalled by applause.
Nine. Rejsns acted last night at Abbeys Tho.
eue tho role of FdnnU Le0rand In tine play
Shcn Alphonse Daudet and Adolphs Belot
,Ne adapted from Daudets novel, "sapho."