The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-09
News of the Green
Room and Foyer.
Some of the More Important Do
ings of These, Our Actors.

Those who on Wednesday, witnessed
at the Academy the return perform
ance of "Dorcas," by the Pauline Hall
company, enjoyed what, in spite OF
some minor drawbacks, was one of the
most pleasurable dramatic events of
the present season. The drawbacks re-
late chiefly to defects in the cast,
which had been changed for the worse
since its earlier local appearance.
Then, too. the audience itself seemed
tinged with the temperature prevalent
outside, only warming up to the merits
of the play after several tuneful lyrics
had escaped Its appreciation. 'Dorcas
is described on the bills as an operate
comedy; and it is concerning It's sug-
gestions of a changing public taste
rather than with the presentation or
"Dorcas" itself that we now wish TO
deal The signs, in our opinion, are
surely multiplying that the slushy farce
and the bawling melo-drama have poth
had their day. American audiences
are beginning to exhibit progressive
impatience for something newer,
cleaner and better. They perhaps are
not quite yet ready to be preached TO-
Henry Arthur Jones fashion, or to be
bored, after the manner of Henrik
Ibsen and James A. Herne. But they
are moving on-and up. A steadily IN
creasng number of them are learning
to discriminate between the grotesque-
ness of the grimacing acrobat come
dian with his padded makeup fortiti-
cations against physical mishaps and
hA Of %
dian who plays upon the chords OF
human sentiment rather than upon
false piano keyboards and trap doors.
And as this discrimination grows and
widens there will arise an epidemic or
dissatisfaction with the fun-making
equipment of players like Steve Brodie
and "Grimesy" Mackie; and a demand
for a purer expression of the player S
part and mission.
While it is probably true that in these
matters the shrewdest observers are
often deceived, we hazard the guess
that in the cordial reception recently
accorded in this former citadel of the
melo-drama to such sweet and dainty
little pastorals as ''L'Ami Fritz and
in that given also, in less degree, 10
"Dorcas" s"-albeit the latter play is by
all odds the coarSer, more farcical ano
more risque-one can gain an idea or
two as to what the new appetite VII
welcome. The melo-drama, in som'
form, is bound to survive, because 1t II
securely founded on the eternal veri-
ties of human nature. Thus. also, OF
opera, in at least its simpler phases
What could be more natural, then, than
to combine the strong points in the
two classes of entertainment, and &C
forth unto the people with double
magnet with which to attract theii
favor? "Dorcas" shows us how almost
a farce can be daintily softened anc
supplemented by the addition of a
half-score of fetching songs. "Friend
Fritz" despite it's uncouth name
proved to US that no stronger appeal
can be made to the healthy instincts
of miscellaneous audience than by
the picturing before them, in exquisite
~ true art, the quaint charms OF
bucolic life, with it's music. its ro'
mances, it's openness, its clear sky and
it's fine, tonic air. Somehow, even after
the interval of almost a year. we can
not yet feel sufficiently grateful to the