The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-12-08
ENTERTAINMENTS.
Hyperion.

one or last years great successes In New York and occupied the Academy of Music uninterruptedly for many months, was presented with the same elaborate mountings and accessories, and with very nearly the same cast, at the Hyperion last evening. The the ater was well filled, and the applause was loud and frequent. This melodra- ma was written conjointly by Cecil Raleigh, Henry Hamilton and the late Sir Augustus Harris, and was one of Sir Augustus most successful Drury Lane productions The plot exhibits no originality, and Is neither better nor worse than the general run of such pieces, The character drawing is of the faintest description, and the enor- nous success of the piece, both in this country and on the other side, is en- tirely due to the gorgeousness of the mountings and to the excellence of the cast. When actors of such talent and experience as those concerned in this play do not find their parts to suit them they have resources at their command inaccessible to the younger crowd. Therefore it is doubtful if the effective ness of some of the principal roles is not more to the credit of the actors themselves than to the dramatists,
 'The Sporting Duchess herself is drawn from the life, being taken from the well known old Duchess of Mel rose, who died about four years ago. She was always known as "the sport ing duchess" and owned and managed an enormous stud, racing her horses under the various pseudonyms, and playing a prominent part in all turf matters to the infinite horror of the re- lated aristocracy Agnes Booth makes the role singularly attractive. Mrs. Booth, who is the wife of John Schoef- fel of the famous Abbey, Schoeffel & Grau firm, has long been recognized as one of the most capable womep on our stage. Her art is so perfect that some times it goes unappreciated. Such en- tire absence of mannerism, convention ahty and 'stageyness' are very de- lightful. Cora Tanner looked very beautiful as the unhappy countess" {" and acted some of the scenes with con- siderable emotional power. Her part ing from her son was genuinely pathet- ic, and their was general shilling and snuffiing throughout the house. The little boy was very prettily done by young Harold Walsh. Elita Proctor Otis looks and plays the part of a demi- mondaine better than any one else we know of. She is undoubtedly clever in this line, and she is steadily improving. Miss Sara Converse of this city was a charming ingenue Miss Converse is to be congratulated on being associated with such excellent people so early in her career.
 Of the men, most of them play the same parts that they did in New York. MT. Wheelock was admirable in the 1 part of the old trainer, Aylmer, the role l played by "old-man Stoddart'' in New | York. Louis Massen was a manly Early, even if a bit coid-blooded at a I climax. Harry Lacy was capital yil- l lain, cool cynical and very effective as l a stage figure William Bernard was amusing as Captain Streatfeld, who barely escapes marrying the Duchess l The innumerable small roles are fairly well done.
 l The scenery is admirable throughout l The sets are elaborate and some of great beauty. The great racing scene aroused the usual applause. It is in all respects a notable production. There is not an unexeiting moment from first to last, thanks to the abilities of the cast. And the comedy work of Agnes Booth in the last act is quite worth the price of admission alone
 It will be repeated this evening.
 FL CAPTAIN.
 That great comic opera success. 'E Capitan," with elongated DeWolf Hop per and his splendid organization, in cluding pretty little Edna Wallace l statuesque Nella Bergen, the new ant l handsome soprano of the company clever Alice Hosmer, Edmund Stanley the popular tenor, Alfred Klein th' l diminutive comedian, and many others equally well known, will be the at l tractive magnet at the Hyperion the ater on next Thursday evening. Tn scenery is magnificent. The score o this charmingly picturesque and de l lightfully melodic comic opera is iron the pen of that eminent and delight 1 fuI composer and music, John Philil
 Sousa. Reserved seats now on sale a the box office.
 OLGA NETHBRSOLE
 1 Olga Nethersole, who will be seen a I the Hyperion on next Friday night il
 "Denise'' and on Saturday night il
 "The Wife of Scarli," is not only great artist, but a very beautiful wo
 man. Following is what a. New Yorl critic wrote about her when she wa
 electrifying Gotham with her marvel ous performance of Carmen" earl. this year: Here you have a youni
 woman who is just the right height who is neither too stout or too lean | who has the head of an artists model
 posed on shoulders that are g. dream
 whose face is a perfect oval with I plexion that makes brick-red hair tn
 perfect answer to a century of prayers
 whose eyes are full and liquid who's
 carmine lips refuse to hide the glorie
 of teeth, whose pearly lustre mus
 shame the gates of Paradise" Sale o
 seats opens Wednesday.
 Grand Opera House.
 | Il, T,.ieh ,1,s