Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-01
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ATTRACTIONS FOR THIS WEEK.
"On the Mississippi" and "Our Fiat
to lie Seen at the Academy.


One evening OF spectacular nelodrama
and two evenings and a matinee OF clean,
legitimate comedy is the theatrical menu
for this week.
Tomorrow evening ION this Missis-
sippi" a melodrama OF merit, will be
given at the Academy OF Music. The
play deals with life in the far South i'm
medlately after the war. Mr.. William
Haworth, its author, makes vivid use OF
the stirring scenes on the Mississippi
river, and has woven into a romantic
tale the incidents of packet-day life. the
gambling hells OF New Orleans, the his
torical operations Of tho Ku Klux Khan,
and the rugged simplicity Of the noun
taineers OF East Tennessee. The comedy
features are from southern types, replete
with national humor. and the shifting
action OF the piece affords a broad and
not yet overcultivated field for the scenic
artist. The play figures upon the deviltry
Of q southern adventures and the mis-
fortunes of a rich northern gentleman. OF
a susceptible nature, who falls into her
clutches. Five acts and nine scenes af-
ford an opportunity for the artist that
is seldom offered by the modern produc-
ton. The opportunity Is improved by
magnificent Suggesting, representing
the mountain home of the young heroine,
and q view OF the great Weldon range.
Tho play comes revised and improved
from its successful tour Of last year. 1t
takes over fifty people to present ION
the Mississippi" Among them the lead
ing people are: Robert McWade, Jr., j.
], Farrell. Alfred Beverly, Wilson Deal.
Henry HanscUnbe. Gus Mills. Zulis
PHO Ualarfa RarQpra and J0eie Sic
son.
On Tuesday and Wednesday evening
the pretty and accomplished comedienne,
Emily Bancker. and a company especially
selected will present tho amusing farcical
comedy, "Our Flat" in which she
has so successfully starred the last two
seasons. Miss Bancker, before venturing
on a starring tour for herself, was en-
gagged by Manager Charles Frohman to
head the numerous successful comedies
he has Of late years presented at his
New York Theatre. Young. ambitious,
and beautiful. with rare endowment OF
keen perception OF all that Is artistic, re-
fined and graceful In connection with
her art. she has quickly reached a po-
sition Of prominence seldom vouchsafed
10 one so young. Miss Bancker has
chosen comedy as her especial role,
and is considered by a number Of critics
10 be the foremost comedienne OF the
present day
"Our Flat" Is an old and tried comedy.
effervescent with wit and humor and
amusing situations. The stories deals
with the difficulties OF a young married
couple OF literary proclivities, who have
no CAPITAL except the love which they
mutually swear shall linger between them
as long as life shall last. While con-
structing the play, which Is to bring
their names before the civilized world,
and surround them with Injuries. they
rent "Our Flat" and buy the furniture
on the instairent plan. The fortune
they expect does not come. but the cred
itors do, and the furniture Is seized. leay-
ing the room bare. The wife gets a
saw and some boxes and makes new
furniture, a process which furnishes con-
siderable for the comedy OF the play
Miss Bancker has surrounded herself
with a company Of well-known players.
which includes VIII Nanderville, George
w. Parsons. Philip II. Ryley. II. ID.
James. Walter Parr. Anita Verno. Eliza
beth Resell. Chaunez olney. and others
of prominence.
s,gnora Elenora Duse has succeeded
Sarah Berrhardt as the reIgning queen
of drama In New York. Her metropolis
tan engagement was inaugurated at the