Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-22

ing TO be plays. could be borne. although,
even In that aspect, ne Is an offence 10
taste and burden upon patience. bu.
Ibsen obtruded as sound leader OF
thought or an artist in drama. Is gro
tesque absnrdity. Not since the haicyvn
days OF Upper, when the reading world
was gravely apprised that "a babe In the
house is well-spring OF pleasure, ana
was expected TO be thrilled by tbat an
nouncemcnt has such a torrent or CON-
mon-place been poured into print as may
be found In the writings OF that Nor"e-
gian theorist; and not since Tuppers noon
OF notoriety as the prophet OF MIX anu
water have the disciples OF any literary
exotic ventured to vaunt him as poet
and philosopher. with nothing to sustain
the prctension except mass OF crochets
and platitudes.
At the Mozart Academy, beginning Mon
day evening. Robert Mantell viii present
a varied line OF attractive work. No little
interest is manifested In his latest sue
cess, 1.-THE Husband" which was origi-
naly produced in this city, and when mas
proved n great success wherever gwen.
II will be presented Monday. "Monbars
will be given on Tuesday night, and mat
inee Christmas-Day. and THE Corsican
Brothers Christmas night A magnin-
cent company SuITOufluS vi. A'HHeS's N'N
he brings to this city all the scenery, COS
tunes. and accessories for each play.
1t IS not every actor, no matter what
his particular cline" may be, that can
hold the close attention OF an audience,
including in many cases the same per-
sons, for three nights in succession IN
three distinct and disslmilar impersona-
tons II is true that broadly speaking
THE Corslcan Brothers" "Monbars,' and
'.The Husband" may all properly be In
cluded I'm the romantic school or pays
But IL Is equally true that Manteils
Louis in the first named Is as distinct
from his Robert in the second as his Hen
ri Lefevre In the third Is unlike his Ia
bian I'm either.
Friends" a comedy drama, by Mr.. f.
NJ Royle. win be presented at the AGA
denny on Friday and Saturday. for the
first time in this city. The piece viii be
interpreted by the same excellent com
many that has appeared In II during
the past two seasons.
Friends" is the work OF n thinker: II
Is a play OF intense human interest. IL
has plot. situation humor. briskness OF
dialogue, and considerable strength OF
character-drawing.
The play is full OF bright sentences,
funny situations, and. at the same time.
is vigorous and strong
A hiss Is the cause Of the magnificent
Olympia Theatre, Music Hail. and Con-
cert Hall-ail In one building-under Os-
car Hammerstein's management, in New
York a year ago Hammerstein. then
with Roster &c Balls Music Hall, New
York, Kissed De Die. a Partisan vaudevll-
list. appearing there. That caused dis
cord I'm the firm, and Hammerstein
withdrew his interest in the hall, and
registered an oath 10 have a similar place
OF amusement, all his own. Olympia is
the most extensive and expensive place
Of amusement in the United States. The
theatre, where r. A Barnet's Excel
sior, Jr.." is the attraction; the music
hall and the concert hall drew crowds Of
people through the initial week.
Managers Charles +. Evans and w. d.
Mann. OF the Herald Square Theatre.
have entered upon contract with Messrs.
Reginald de Koyen and Harry B..
Smith. whereby they secured the first
rights Of all operate products Of Messrs.
De Koven & Smith for a term Of years.
A new organization. TO be known as the
De koven-Smith opera Company, will
be formed to produce the pieces. The
composers are now engaged upon a work,
which Is to be completed In time TO open
the next fall season at the Herald Square
Theatre.
Helena Modjeska, who Is making her
farewell tour OF American cities. says
the greatest trouble OF the American
stage to-day lies in the commercial
spirit of governing It. 1t is this spirit
that sends out two, four. or six compa-
MES to present the same pieces all over
the country. as soon as II has made
a hit in soma big city. The actors in
the extra companies are simply copies
OF the actors that originated the roles,
and the result is that there ia painful
lack of originality.
mere is excellent authority TO the
effect that Virginia Harmed said last
week that II is absolutely settled that
she and +. II. Sothern are 10 be mar
ried. This will very likely be denied.
but 1t may be said In this connection
that various other statements made con-
corning the plans OF actors and mana
gers have been promptly denied by the
persons referred to. but have sooner or
later come to pass exactly as predicted.
There Is one beautiful thing about
Fanny Davenport" says Bah ''she ID
the kindest and most cOnsiderate Of ac-
tresses TO stage folk; she is willing to
spend her money for them, and she is
willing to help them. The people In her
company who wish to succeed are en-
couraged and assisted by her. and she
has never been enyious of another actress,
or acted meanly TO one. She does her
work and does 1t well. loves and Is loyal
to her own people. and deserves to be
happy"
Richard Mansfield writes: This Is
positively my farewell tour. with the ex-
cepton of special eng gements. Next sea-
son. outside Of New York, where I shall
appear at the Garrick. which will be
under Charles Frohman's management
] will play only thirty nights or there
abouts, appearing one or two nights at
Baltimore, Pittsburg. Washington, and
other cities OF their size
Henry Clay Barnabee. w. IT. MacDon-
aid, and Frank l.. Perley will go abroad
early I'm June TO witness the production
OF the new Strauss opera in Vienna. The
Bostonians hold the American rights for
this work. and will give il an early pro-
duction next season.
What an ideal Charlotte Cordav Julia
Arthur would makel This gifted young
actress has had in her possession for
seine time a play on this historic subject
and she may use Il for a starring tour
cabaret de Meant f. the name of a
mysterious illusion TO be introduced in a
series OF darkened chambers bv Canary
&c Lederer in a part OF the New York
Casino reconstructed for the purpose.
The most noteworthy METROPOLITAN pro-
duction In the month Of January will be
Mrs Ponderbury's Past" In which
Stuart Robson will appear at the Gar
rick Theatre. opening January 9Th.
Sadie Martinot and Max Fieman have
gone to their lawyers for separation
nanerz II @ ID.