The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-22

"The Airy Fairy" Lillian Russell will
play an engagement extending over two
nights and a matinee at the Mozart
Academy on Thursday and Friday Janu-
airy 2d and 3D.
She will appear in THE Grand Duchess"
on Thursday evening, "Perichole' AT
the matinee on Friday, and in The Little
Duke" on the same evening.
All the plays will be magniicently
staged and beautifully costumed, and the
affair will be regarded as one OF the
most interesting events of the season.
Miss Russeis company includes ninety
people, the principal parts IN all instances
being in the hands of artists OF estaD-
lished reputation.
Seats will be placed on sale shortly.
ADV
Robert Nlanten. who makes his annual
appearance at the Mozart Academy on
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday even
ings. is one OF the best actors England
has ever sent TO this country. He opens
his engagement with The Husband,
the play which was first produced IN
this country In this city. which was most
faVOrably received. on Tuesday night
and at the matinee Wednesday Mr. Man
tell presents that beautiful play which
has made him fame and reputation, en-
titled "NlOnbars and on Wednesday
night (Christmas) The Corsican
Brothers" will be given Mr. Mantell
brings to this city a company OF rare
excellence as well as all the scenery for
each production.
The Husband" which Robert Mantell
opens his engagement with al the Mo-
Fart Academy Monday night, is very
strong play, resembling Fedora In
great measure, the difference between the
two plays being that in Fedora
woman makes IL her life worn 10 avenge
the violent death of her husband. while
in Mantells play the positions are re-
versed. the hero pursuing TO the death
the man responsible for his wife's dis
honor and cath.
In these days Of Readfern. Worth, and
their countless imitation, the temptation
for an actress TO sacrifice regard for
accuracy, historically speaking, 10 con
sideratiOns OF style beauty or EFF
feet" in the selection and making of her
costumes is a very strong one. Robert
Mantell desires his plays TO be well
dressed equally as much "a he lavishes
them 10 be well staged" but ne is de-
termlned that costumes mountings. and
minor accessories shall first of all, be
true TO the demands OF time and place
and that "Directoire' gowns, however
becoming ard erectlLA shall not be worn
except in Directors" dramas, and that
a gentleman Of the first empire" shall
not wear the garb OF the courters Of the
Grand Monarque; AS consequence, ms
dramatic productions are models-camoss.
as IL We're. Of the life and times they
reproduce.
There are but very few Of the many
hundreds Of attractions which leave New
York each season for a tour OF the
United States that could confidently look
forward TO a surely successful season.
Probably i'm no other business IL the ele-
ment of uncertainty so pronounced as the
theatrical But there are plays and or
ganizatiOns, certainly but few In num-
Der, that by reason OF some unusual sue
cess gained in the various cities. can be
relied upon 10 turn out a handsome
profit regularly each season Edwin MIL
ton Royle's Friends" is one of the nota-
bic plays Each year il has steadily
grown in popular favor. until now * *
AT the zenith of its prosperity. The play
and the company presenting this delight
full comedy drama are so favOrably known
that when il Is announced that Friends"
will be given a production here Friday
and Saturday nights. December 9th and
18th. and matinee Saturday at the Acade-
my OF Music for the first time. With
the established fayorites that originally
made such a hit in their respective roles,
IL is safe 10 predict "A crowded house