Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-22
REALM OF THE STAGE
Nsry Attractions Booked al the Rich.
mOnd Play-ROussS for This Week.
THE CIRCUS NEXT THURSDAY.
..r,. Limited Mail" and "Thc spnn
NJ Life" Open on Monday Night
1he "Tvo CoioneIs" and Other
Entertainments.
Entertainments.

,i,n Of Observation-Disclosures this week
,rhe doors OF the Academy will be open
every night, and an attraction OF sterling
,,crit will be at the Theatre to-mor-
row night To clap the climax, one OF the
largest and best circus organizations on
the road viii occupy Circus Lot" on
Thursday.
Lovers Of the sensational melodrama
will doubtless find unalloyed delight In
the production of 'The Span OF Life at
the Theatre tomorrow night. The play
takes its name from an exciting and novel
incident that occurs In the last act The
scene Is IN the African gold country.
Tho villains have destroyed a bridge that
spans certain raging cataract know
frg that Il is the horo's only means OF
escape from their clutches. Among these
,n his party are three old friends. formerly
acrobats in the circus. When II Is dis
covered that the villain and his rlinions
are coming these friends of the hero
nut their knowledge OF acrobatlc bust
ness 10 good use. The tallest and strong
est stands on the very brink OF the canon,
another acrobat stands on his shoulders.
and a third on the shoulders OF the Sc
conI. thus forming tower some 10 or 10
feet high. The signal Is given. and this
column OF human beings falls so that the
ton man grasps tree on the other side
Of the chasm. and a bridge Of bodies
IS then formed. over which the hero, with
his wife and child pass 10 tho other side
IN safety. The play was originally pro
duced in London June 6. 1892 and IS stll
an attraction in the English metropolis.
il was brought to this country by VIII
liam Calder. who Will DO remembered by
regular theatre-soers.
Elmer T. Vance's realistic comedys
drama. IN four acts. entitled, The Limit
"a Mall" will be the attraction at the
Academy tomorrow night.
l. as a graphically-draw picture OF life
on the rail. and in Us unfolding are
employed some remarkable and sue
ccssful pieces Of Initiative realism. The
plays greatest hold upon public appre-
citation Is In its situations and climaxes.
which are thrilling. ard In its scenic and
mechanical embellishments. which are ex-
tremely elaborate and pretentious.
"The Spider and the Fly" NJ. b. Lea
Wits big spectacular production. will be
at the Academy next Tuesday and Wed
rcsiay. There will be a matinee on the
latter day. 1t IS said TO be an ola po-
drida Of new, bright, and mirthful things
Of burlesque, pantomime. comedy, ana
vaudeville. The text has been entirely
rewritten this year. and every one Of
the features are new and up to date.
The company will comprise forty-hve
people. among whom are Miss Dawn
Griffith, late Of D'Oyly Carte's Opera
Company; Miss Gwendolne North. from
the Gayety Theatre Q4ondon; Adele
Martinctu the famous characteristic
change artist; George Putnam; Belle
Travcrs, dancer and pantomimist. the
Putnam Twins G.ibble and Marcia). the
original Big Four, including Smith and
Martin, grotesque clowns; selected
corps Of character dancers, headed by
the premier Mile Clarice Cardello under
the direction Of the famous maitre del bal
1T. sig Romeo: "The Salambos. Electri-
cal Dynamotic Wonders"
Sells Brothers circus will occupy the
LOT az the head of Clay street next Thurs
day. when two performances will be
given. Ii is claimed for this organization
that 10 is the largest and most complete
circus and menagerie on the road. 1t
EMPLOYS the services Of no less than
loo people. while zoo horses are used in
animals comprise the menagerle.
an the features are new and UP to
date. and the people who will appear in
the rings are among the bsst-known cir
Gus people in America There Will be
street parade at 10 4. NJ.
Miss Mabclle Biggart the well-known
authoress. dramatist. and reader will APP
par at the Academy on Thursday eve
ming next under the auspices Of the Mo
zart Association. Miss Biggart comes
from a line Of authors, teachers, and
co,lerate men. She has held several
important positions in rhetoric literature.
ana orat0ry in Summaries and colleges;
was Tor five years thus connected with
the hgh schools Of Cleveland, o.. Berea
College, and two years were spent in a
similar position in the State College or
Colombo she is now engaged IN her
chosen platform work of her own ORA
u1tz3'l0ns OF the masterpieces among
English and American authors. The en-
TREATMENTS given by Miss Mabelle Big
g3it are exceedingly unique and aitrac-
tive. The readings are deity chosen from
the best authors. and are rendered with
fare fidelity and grace. Miss Biggarts
Programme next Thursday VIII consist
OF two scenes from her dramatizaion |
interspcrseI with appropriate music.
William Richard GoodalPs delightful
comedy, Two Colonels' will be The at
traction at the Academy next Friday and
Saturday. This play had It's second pre-
bentauon on any stage in this city jan
uary t. 1895. Upon that occasion the
Dispatch critic wrote of IL as follows:
"The Socratc graces. the true. the good,
and the beautiful, were never more sweet
ly combined and blended on the stage
than IN William Richard GoodalPs new
domestic comedy The Two Colonels.
Tie play Is a digniiled and clever piece
q work. that has as its chief character
!siics a smooth simplicity and a clingng
interest From evident design. II does
not aim at strenuousness: II is entirely
sympathetic, true 10 nature, and the
pathos 10 which the author peaetrates
points 20 the complete success OF his
scheme. The dialogue IS pungent, witty,
enl generally stimulating. The mise
,A-scene Is elaborate and effective 10
degree and an artistic direction Of de-
tails IS evidenced"
A prominent member OF the company
who VIII present the play here next Fri
day IL Mr. Samuel j. Young. who IS well
and popularity known in this city.
The recent Worlds Fair, at Chicago.
Was not only greater than any preceding
exhibition Of its kind. but IL was greater
Than all OF them put together. so 1t
ls with Buffalo Bilvs wild West. 1t has
grown with a steady growth until now,
after having been seen In every capital
IN Europe. IL Is again on tour In AIneri-