The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-20
PLAYS And PLAYERS.
FREDERICK wARDE AT THE ACADE-
MY THIS WEEK.
GiImorc's superb Band at the Same House
on Thursday-Two Splendid Pro-
grammes Ride for Life VIII Fill Out
the Week.

and his company at the Mozart Acade-
my, Tuesday ana ednesday OF TINS
week. anu viii anord the eminent star
opportunity II be seen in d widely diver
gent range OF characters.
no actor now on me American stage
is more popular in Richmond than treu-
erick Warge. Inc tneatre-soers OF THIS
city We're among the nrst to recognize
his genius, ami from his first Visit mere
as a stellar attraction. have rewarded
ms efforts with liberal patronage. he
Is emlnently a progressive artist aud has
shown constant desire 10 improve, not
only his Individual work, but the ell
semble Of his entire performances. his
nrst essay as representative of the
classic drama was made under most ad-
verse circumstances, without financial
backing, without proper equipment, with
only has indOmitaDle energy and perse-
yeFance 10 rely upon. That he is now
regarded throughout the United States
as the foremost legitimate actor OF this
country Is compliment TO the judgment
ot our people. VINO discerned his ster-
ling qualities at the start, and have al
ways welcomed his visits here as coca
sions of special interest to all admirers
oil the highest forms OF the drama.
As Mr. Warde has grown in recogni-
ton, and as his financial returns have
increased, he has been enabled 10 carry
out iB a measure his ambition 10 place
befog. his patrons in every city per-
founances which are as elaborate in de-
tail and as efficiently rendered as those
seen in metropolitan theatres where
plays are staged for an extended run, and
have received elaborate care and atten-
ton in the way OF settings and mount
ings.
IRON year TO year he has made grand
| scenic reVivais OF various plays which
have been notable Tor their excellence.
and have distinguished him, not only as
an actor, but as producer ana promoter,
/ ana have been rewarded with large
( financial endorsement, as well as with
the critical praise OF the public.
This season he has exceeded an his
! former efforts. and carries on his tour
| the entire scenery, mouutlnss. and ac-
cossories for the proper staging OF all
! the nine pieces that form has rcpcrtory.
| Ills company has been increased in num-
| beers and talent, ana has been pronounced
! the ablest legitimate organization that
| exists. II includes as its leading NOM
| bers, Charles ID. Herman. Charles suit
| tom. Albert G. Dcitwyn, Harry G. Bur
! tom. ard III. -. Byors. ana the Misses
! Fanny Gillette. Isabel Naldron, Fanny
| Bowman. and Lucia Moore. AS s9c-
cial feature in several OF the plays vocal
! music is introduced. which is rendered
| boy trained chorus or eight ladies ana
/ gentlemen, who form a part OF the large
| company.
For his opening play here. on Tuesday
! night. Ar War1e has selected Inc
| Mountooank," which is described by the
| Pittsburg Leader as follows
| Frederick Warde presented "rhe Noun
] tobank," at the Alvin Theatre last night
]
| enthusiastically, and with good reason,
| FOR II was "a magnificent production,
carefully staged and cXccllcnty acted.
! The play is one Of deep ana powerful
! hoari-intercst, and carries the audience
with il from beginning 10 end as " de-
yclons from its light and airs opening,
| through scenes of pathos and emotion,
! 10 the intense situation, In the last act,
where the mountebank, in the presence
Of the wife who has deserted him, re-
counts his wrongs i'm manner when
shows TO her his heart-breaiing grief
| but at the same time maintains before
| his other listeners the illusion that MS
! assumed character demands.
The role of "Bolphegor, the Nounte-
| bank" affords MIR. Wsrde a wide range
| for the display of more varied histriohie
| abilities than does any other In MS roper
! tory. and he responds to its require
| monts with some splendid acting. Al
| mirablc throughout, at times. when oc-
casion allowed, he was superb ana
| whether as the free-frOm-carc strOihne
player, the loving. tender companion ano
father, the grief-stricken. deserted nus
band. or the pretended nobleman. he was
| al all times artistic and effective. III
his treatment OF the climax at the close
OF the second act he rose TO grandeur
and when the curtain fell, there were
few II any dry eyes among the sympa-
thetlc audience.
The supporting company is evenly bal
anced and does good work. Miss Fanny
| Gillette showed excellent ability ana soou
stage training; Miss Fanny Bowman
shared i'm the applause, and merited the
recognition given here careful inierpre'
tation. Mr.. Herman gave good evidence
OF sterling ability, in role which could
not elicit sympathy, and the excellence
and finish OF his work made a strong I'M
pression. Mrs. Wadr0n. Miss Moore
and Messrs. Byers Stevens. Ernest
! Warde. and Barton were noticeable iol
| their efficient renditions of the charac
ters assigned TO them.
| At a special matinee wednesday. Ih'
| Lions Mouth" play which has re-
| ceived the stamp OF popular appioFa
| here. when produced Ia former seasons
|
Venice during the time OF the dogcs h
the sixteenth century, romantic an'
| intriguing period, when the lndulsitio'
| spread it's baiefui shadow over the queer
| OF the Adriatic, when life was lghti,
held and love burned fierce aad strong
and a period which furnishes the ORA
matist with inspiration. for incident an'
rare plcturesqueness OF environment A
the valiant and patriotic lover, Mr.
Marde has won laurels that crown nm
| as equal to all the requirements ~ ;
dashing, heroic role even as he ha
| proved himself typical representative
Of the sterner and more robust school o
acting.
For the closing performance, Nednes
day night, "Runnymede, or Robin hoo'
and his Merrle Men," is announced.
is a new play, founded upon historic IN
cidents In the career OF John OF ADJcu
who usurped the throne Of England "ho.
his brother. Richard l., known as m
Lien Hearted" was absent on the cru
sadc. .rr preston OF the SaNol
Thames, iced oven OF the Norman mobiles
~ this unjust monarch, led 10 the ilna
uprising Of all classes. and brough
about the great concourse or the Britisl
| harons at Runnymede. a meadow on tn
| hanks of the river Thames. about TWEEN
~ miles north OF London, which resuite
IN the signing OF Magma Charta, whic
has always since been regarded as IN
hulwark Of personal liberty In ever.
Notwithstanding country. Closely con
nacfed win this historic theme, the pla.
brings I'm the story OF Robin Hood ant
hIs love for the "Fayre Maid Marian.
both OF whom. together with those othe
heroes Of Sherwood Forest, Friar Tuck
Littlejohn and George Green, are char
acters In the drama. The scenic sur