Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-20


keeping with the play, their one idea of their
duty IS to work the press" The Bee is
Vol known among the reputable branches
OF the theatrical profession as a newspaper
which cannot be worked 1t sends men
whom II considers competent to write fair
and intelligent notices OF theatrical perform
ances and has not thus far found them eeri-
ously wrong In their judgments. In the case
under consideration 1t may be gravely
doubted whether the notice was half severe
enough.
Coming Events,
Klaw & Erlanger will present "The Lady
Slavey" at the Creighton theater Tuesday
and Wednesday nights, December % and
%, when that play will be staged by the
same company which was Instrumental in
achieving its great successes in New York,
Boston and Philadelphia. The story of
THE Lady Slavey' is of a modernized
Cinderella. gentleman tottering on the
edge of financial ruin Is the father of five
beautiful daughters, one OF whom con-
ceives the idea of assuming the role of
the "slavey" Uhe English title given a
maid of all work., in order that appearances
at least may be kept up to a respectable
degree. An American millionaire has leased
the adjoining estate. The sole aim of the
other four girls Is to capture him, and
from day to day all sorts of creditors are
STAYED off on the promise that the en-
gagement of one of them to this wealthy
young man will shortly be made public
Sheriffs and their officers take possession
OF the house, but are CajOled into perform
ing the duties of coachmen and footmen
by the little slavey. A music hall singer
by the name of Flo Honeydew Marie
Dressler) appears on the scene escorted by
her great admirers Lord Lavender and
Ikey Dinkelbinkcl, and greatly complicates
the efforts of the young folks, but like
all stories 1t comes out all right in the
end, and the sweet little house drudge
secures the prize without any effort on
her part.
This musical comedy is presented by a
remarkably strong company of comedians
The principals are the same as at the New
York Casino and INCLUDE Dan DAILY, whose
wonderous legs, sOnorous voice and solemn
visage are well known quantities; Marie
Dressler, the breezy comedienne, who has
always been a popular favorite here, has
part suited to her talents. The other
members are Annie Buckley, Charles Dandy
the well known English comedian; Richard
| Carle. Charlie Kirke, Marie George, Jessie
Carlisle Clara FrantOn and La Petite Ade-
lade. Besides these there is large chorus
A matinee will be given Wednesday,
THE American Girl will be seen at
Boyds for four nights commencing with
n matinee today, with X. e. Bob Graham
playing the principal role of Ross Bolter,
said to have in this comedy better oppor-
tunity for the display of his ability than
anything which he has previously done.
The American Girl is the work of II.
Grattan Donnelly, an author of no little
prominence, who has given birth to a play
which is said exactly to fit the artist for
whom it was intended.
The Christmas attraction at the Creigh-
ton viii be Conway & Lederer's popular
| Casino success. "The Merry World" which
net with popular favor during the engage
mHnt here last season. Many of the features
which pleased last year have been retained
and new ones added, which, 1t is said, rem
| dors the performance more enjoyable than
heretofore. In the third act, the scenery
| for which is all new, a ballet, led by Cath
| erins Bartho, a premiere danseuse from the
| Imperial theater, Moscow will be intro
duced,. and four entirely new ballet move
! mcnts embracing the Pony ballet, the
| Flower ballet. the Gaiety Girls ballet and
| the Italian ballet, with costumes especially
| designed for each, are executed. The cast
| includes the names of many well known
performers, and a ballet and chorus of forty
will appear in the production. The entire
| scenic investure is new this season, and was
| painted during the summer by Dodge, the
| scenic artist of Herald Square theater. New
| York. II embraces three complete sets of
| Transformation scenery, the settings for
gorgeous effects ever produced. over $4,000
has been expended for new scenery, cos
! tunes. electrical effects and properties. The
local engagement will be for three nights
commencing Thursday, December "a. Mat
nees will be given Christmas day and Sat
! urday. Seats will be placed on sale to-
| morrow.
An unique entertainment will be pro-
yided for all lovers of merry Christmas by
the production of a genuine Mystery Play
at St Philomena's hall, Ninth and How
ard streets on Christmas evening at 8
o'clock
Mystery plays are OF very ancient origin
and were immensely popular in England be-
fore the reformation. as well as through
out the continent of Europe. Mystery plays
present to the people in a simple, graphic
manner the great truths on which the Chris
tian religion is based. The best known of
the mystery plays of modern times is the
now world-famed passion play of Oberam-
mergau in Bavaria, which WAS performed
in 1890 and will not be again rehearsed
till 1900.
The mystery play to be given on Christ
mas night in st. Philomena's hall will pre-
sent the beautiful mysteries of the An
nuncation, the Visitation to ST. Elizabeth,
the stable of Bethlehem, the worship of the
shepherds, the alteration OF the wise kings
from the east and the slaughter of the Holy
Innocents by King Hcrod. Thanks to the
untlring efforts OF the Sisters of Mercy,
teachers. the actors have already fully mas
tered their parts. and will certainly reflect
great credit on their instructors. The mu-
steal part Of the program, which is indeed
elaborate, Is under the direction Of Miss Mar
garct Swift. organlst of St. Philomena's
cathedral. Altogether the efforts of all those
good people promise to be crowned with
that brilliant success which their unselhsh
devotion merits
The Howard Athenaeum Star Speciality
company will play a two-night engagement
at the Creighton, commencing with a mat
inee Sunday, December 27, Tho success OF
this company during its last appearance