The evening times., 1895-09-21
NEXTMEEK At THE THEATERS.

An English critic, who was recently in
New York drew comparisons between the
English performance of THE Case of Re-
bclious Susan" which the Lyceum Thea
ter company will r-esent here, beginning
Monday, at the New National Thcsier, and
the performance as we shall see II. 1t js
decidedly complimentary to the American
performance. He said:' -, -.,...,,
1.-The Case of Rebellious Susan is, as
far as its two principal characters are con-
cerned, better, pt, yed, and conspicaer.sly
better played, In New York than in Lon
don. The Sir Richard Kato of Mr.. Kel-
cey is in every way an improvement upon
that of Mr.. Charles wyndbam.
"There was a crudeness OF carriage
and ostentation of ease, an obvjousness
of assurance in the assumption of the Eng
lish actor. Mr.. Kelcey plays his Kato with
an urbanity, with a courtesy, with suayity,
which were at once apt to the part and ex
cellent in themselves.
"He carried with skill that was never
strained all the qualities essential to what
may be called the sentlehood of the char
acter he interprets. 1t is one OF the most
equally sustained of the best-balanced
performances 1 have ever seen in New
York. The Lady Susan. too, of Miss Isa-
bel Irving was very much better than its
English Interpreter, superior in viyacity,
in vitality, in that very spirit of suggestion
which is essential to the character which
Mr.. Jones intended to exhibit.
1.-The Pybus, of Mr.. Fitz Williams, is as
amusing a study in the grotesque as that
of Mr.. Fred Ker in London, and Miss Tyree's
Elaine Shrimpton, a more diverting because
a more definite conception than that of
Miss Boucicault."
1t is pleasing to have an English critic
admit that an English play had been better
performed by an American company than
by one of his own countrymen.
Much has been said anl written about the
new electrical DRAMA sShaft No. g. and
the success it has achieved elsewhere. The
announcement that twill be given at the
Academy next week VIII be received with
pleasure. i 1t is a domestic story, free from
rant and rubbish, with characters that are
natural and OF the people. n''taf'fe '"e.
There is said to exist an abounding heart
interest, and the comedy with which it is
leavened is said to be so deftiy and cleverly
WONcl ludO OnC 1l6 SSdiIlt0 lfOiA Tue
tears of an intense situation to laughter Of
the most hilarious kind. y. i'-. .,-.5s a. ~
But It is not in the story that the great
novelty and strength Of this play is said TO
lay. His success has been In the concep-
ton of numerous pretty surprises, not only
in the story, but in the scenic surroundings,
the music and the mechanical effects.
One feature of "Shaft No. e" upon which
the management rely for its popular sue
cess, Is its marvellous abundance of elec-
trical effects. The entire third act is said
to be full of them, and they are not intro.
duced in the conventional manner, but serve
to Illustrate the plot.
Walter Sanford's scenic production, "The
Struggle OF Life" win be the attraction
at the Bijou next week. A novelty in
this particular branch of dramatic -csn-
struction Is claimed for Walter Sanford.s
great scenic produ ction, THE Struggle
Of Life" which is something akin to a
revelation In this line.
The author In the hecunlpounding of the play
had departed from all time worn stand
ards. aud by doing so has produced a
play entirely fresh AL original From
tue rising OF the curtain tn the falling of
the same the Interest never .laRs the liu-