The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-14
OTIS SKINNER.
''ViIIOn, the vagabOnd," Presented
at the Theater Last Night.

There has been a run of romantic plays
in Savannah recently. There have been
Louis James, and CrestOn Clarke. and
James O'Neill; and now we have Otis
Skinner. And not the least Of these is
Otis Skinner. The fact is. he is often
placed at just the other end of the class.
He opened his engagement here last night
in his new play. "Villon. the Vagabond."
The play runs back TO the time Of Charles
VII Of France, or some two hundred
years. 1t depicts life at the French court
at that time, with its intrigues and ro-
mantle situations, and also the life Of the
lower classes. among which there was
no line Of demarkatiOn between superst-
ton and religion.
In the title role. Mr.. Skinner had the
opportunity to exercise his fine talents as
an actor. Nlllon Is a poet; very TOOL
ish one in his love, but withal brave,
talented and patriotic. He loves the kings
ward, who uses him as her tool to further
the fortunes of the villainous prime min
ister, OF whom she is infatuated. VII
Ion Is beloved BY a true-hearted and
faithful '.maid Of The people. . who would
give her life TO save mis-. His passion for
the lady of the court continues until ne
he learns that she is cold-hearted
schemer, and gives his affection where II
properly belongs. The ending IS happy TOT
d h SsgV fns eORR sd OF Ones sne Ps anu
1t may be said with propriety that the
acting was better than the story, notwlth-
standing the story is founded upon his
tory, and the history Of the most versa
tile and volatile people in the world Mr;
Skinner was in fine form and voice. ana
carried his part with the spirit and cleV-
erness that have won him reputation
of which any actor might be proud.
Mr.. Skinner is supported by company
of able people The king, as played by
Mr. Carte, was a delightfully."- disagreeable
and Villainous old egotst, as weak as ne
was irascible, and more hypocritical than
pious, although he was prone TO prayer
The Character of the Dauphin was ably
played by Mr.. Mosely. who IS very ike the
star in his stage presence. Miss Traux as
tue MdIu OF the hlils' anu lhS uelSl .itiies,
yet high spirited woman who MADE most
of the trouble, was especially strong IN
her delineation OF character. Inc oJher
members of the company-and 1t is quite
good sized company-were uniformly good
in their several parts.
The only feature of the evening that
may be commented on adversely was the
disagreeably long wait before the begin
ming of the performance. Savannah audi
ences are accustomed to the curtain going
up al a quarter past O'Clock. Last night
Ii was a quarter to o'clock when the
performance began. The audience mad
been seated for twenty minutes or more.
But 1t was good natured, and did not
make a fuss. Two waits between acts, too,
were rather tedious.
Mr.. Skinner win play a matinee this af-
ternoon, when His Grace de Grammont
will be presented, and tonight he viii
give the double bill of The Merchant OF
Venice and Katherine and Petruchio.
The Baldwin Melville Company will
open a weeks engagement at the theater
Monday night The Baldwin Company
played I'm Savannah season before last to
large houses. The company is much strong
er this season than ever Clay NJ. Green
comedy success THE Golden Giant Mine"
will be the opening bill. Popular prices
will prevail the entire week, 10, 20 and 30
cents for night and matinee, 10 cents with
reserved seats 10 cents extra. Ladies will
be admitted free Monday night, If accom-
panied by person with paid SO-cent
ticket.