The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30
ON TIE PLAY.BILLS.
THE ACADEMY WILL BIZ OPEN FOL
SIX PERFORMANCES THIS WEEK.
The New Eight Bells Will be Here To
Morrow and Tuesday, to be Followed b:
Sir Charles Young's Powerful Drama
Jim the Penman.
Nothing that comes to the Academy d

Nothing that comes to the Academy a
Music can claim moro extensive feb
lowing OF those who like a stage enter
tainment that gives them plenty OF resp
son to laugh than rs Bells which VII
open tomorrow night.
As often as this combination OF farce
comedy. gymnastics. and general jollity
has been seen in this city. each passing
season witnesses changes for the better
In It's many mirth provoking scenes. and
of course this concession to the public's
appetite for novelty has not been neg.
lected In the present instance. The
Byrne Brothers have lots OF new and
funny business. in ad iitlon TO what Is
perennial of this old specialtes. AMI
those who cane find laughter In tile
ground and lofty tumhling. tho
odd encounters. and the thou
sand and one merry circumstances
crpwdlng through rs Bells couldn't
find 1t In the dictionary.
Eight Bells" In It's rejuvenated state.
Is ono OF the funniest works OF its I'll, $.
and is thoroughly enjoyable. The play
is certainly inclusive enough In tho va
r1ety OF amusement II offers In the course
OF an evening. II Is in reality a bur-
lesque, a pantomime. and spectacular
production, all I'm cue. All tho fo'mtr
successes I'm the way OF trick ELECTS
are retained. and many new things ate
added. II still )rss ,LCs re great re-
voving ship scene. the trick wagon, the
hrstlln goctopus. the weird trunk and
doors and chairs, md 1OIsI o;her
genuine novelties. ne cast - we.
adapted TO carrying on the fun Of tho
piece II IL needless 10 praise the sn-s
acrobatic work OF tho John Byrne
troupe Of acrobats.
A STERLING ATTRACTION.
Jim tho Penman." Sir Charles Young's
famous play. which proved the most
successful Of all A NJ. Primers pro-
ductlons In New York city. and ran
for m entirc season AZ the Madison
Square Theatre. has Just entered upon
a renewed career of prosperity and
will be seen NJ tho Academy OF Music
on Fridny and Saturday next and nj n
matinee on the latter day.
II Is a play that has been unusually
successful both artist!cally and lnan-
cially wherever presented. and there
has been an mpreceda itcd desire OF all
classes TO witness me play that has
had so much said and written about II.
There Is no doubt that many OF the local
thcatre-goers have seen this play. either
in New York or London. bot what
matters that?-it Is one that bears seeing
many times: one whose dramatic situa-
lions and details cannot he grasped and
appreciated the first time. The COM
pany presenting IL this season is one OF
unusual merit for everv character is
such that requires IT'S Interpretation by
an artist it's texture ieing such that the
least false step would spoil the entire
entertainment. Mr.. Frank G. Bangs
Who will impersonate the dual role ot
James Ralson. has such I record that
little moro can be iaid o, his abilities:
he Is painstaking. conscientious actor.
of undsputed merits. MS Marie Edith
Rico IN her portrayal Of Nina (Mrs.
RalstOn). Is i'm many r-spc'ts superb. n
all respects her work is that Of an
artist who Is confident and well-sklled in
the use Of material at her command.
Her manner Of develooilg the dramatic
possibilities Of the scene wherein she
discovers that her husband was the forger
Of letters that seplrat "a her from lie
lover OF her youth. 'ouc lis the apex oc
dranatio expression. and raises tho
character almost to the tragic plane.
The Baron HEARTFELT Mr.. Harry Fy
tnge. is the consummation OF well-ngh
perfect character acting. II IL role
presenting dialectic lin ml'i's OF a high
degree and none Aut an actor OF more
than ordinary abilities coulf compass q.
Tie balance OF the dramatis personae
IS far I'm advance Of my company u I
has as yet presented this Highly ii,r-
esting and sensational drama