The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-27

SOL. SMITH RUSSELL AND DIGBX
BELL.
The Former VIII Make His Appearance
Tuesday and Wednesday in Three New
RoI~.-The Latter VIII Present the New
Opera Nancy Lee

Sol. Smith Russell needs little introduc-
ton to Richmond theatre-soers. lie
ia well and favoraby known here. ana
his annual engagements are always wei
coined by large audiences. composed OF
the best people. who han with densht
Nr. Russells pure and Wholesome co'n-
edy.
Mir. Russell's position on the American
stage rs a very unique one. Ihere 10
no other actor like him him; MS styie
IL peculiarly his own, and there Is d
quaintness and dryness about IL whlch
dcfies imitation. His plays are bright
Clean and of the kind which provoke
plenty of genuine amusement. az wen as
giving an insight into the pathetic SIDE
OF life so wildly and realistically that
the spectator often find> his laughter
checkm8ted by an incident so intensely
human as TO turn the tide of merriment
into a serious channel.
Mr.. Russell will appear in three plays
during his engagement-the new COMEDY
AN Everyday Man and a new one
act play, MIR. Valentines Christmas
viii be given Tuesday and Wednesday
matinee. and for Wednesday night Mr..
Russell will give his excellent perform
ance OF Bob Acres" in the famous
play. The Rivals"
In the entire list OF actors who have
succeeded In establishing themselves firm
~ IN public favor there were none who
have secured that coveted prize. popular
approval, 10 a greater extent than sol.
Smith Russell. Mr.. Russell won his
WAY into the hearts of theatre goers here
years ago, and each successive appear
ance has served 10 entrench him stu
more securely in their appreciation.
Manager Berger has surrounded Mr..
Russell with a strong supporting com
pany. which includes Charles Mackay,
Alfred Hudson, George Denham, George
Woodward, Miss Minnie Radcliffe, Bijou
Fernandez. and Fanny Addison Pitt. All
the scenery, furniture, and property are
carried with the company.
Gabriel Swift" the character which
Digby Bell will assume I'M Fred Millers
new nautical opera, Nancy Lee when
will be given al the Academy next Thurs
day night. IN one that was seen In nine
communities out OF ten thirty years ago,
when the country was i'm state OF re-
beIion. Swift Uhe pTovost-marshaD was
taken from life. one that the author
claims IS still living, and remembers
well. He was, in a certain district out
West known TO have been a horse-doc-
tor, school-master. a conspicuous figure
in every politica. party, town Inquire
in fact, everything you saw M 10 cali
him. He had been everything within
the limit OF the shyster professionalism.
When war was declare" he was, by
some manner Of means. appointed pro-
vost-marshal OF the district, which APP
pointment gave him supreme power. lie
could order a citizen To be shot on the
thinnest pretext. could even exercise
his authority on high official lie was
the tallest thing in the district. Thus
II can easily be seen where the author Of
Nancy Lee" has taken advantage OF
the opportunity TO create laughter ana
merriment. For instance. in the blend
Ing OF his subjects. he brings Gabriel
on board a United States man-of-war TO
intercede for his nephew's release twho
is held as a prisoner of war;, and assnn-
ing his provost-marshal supremacy
threatens a sailor with death, who mas
paid no heed 10 his presence whereupon
the Yankee tar throws him overheard.
showing that colonelv generals, ana
provost-marshals may be all right on
dry land. but in the navy they are en-
tirely out Of it.-Adv.