Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-11

Coming Events.
Otis Skinner who is well and favorably
known in Omaha, but has never appeared
here as a star will make his first bid for
popular favor in that capacity at the Creigh-
ton next Thursday evening, when he will
begin a half weeks engagement with a pro
duction of Hamlet" The press and es-
pecially the Chicago papers has been uni
formly kind to Mr.. Skinner, not only in the
character of the melancholy Dane, but Iu
other tragic and romantic roles which he
has undertaken; and Omaha theater-goers
who remember his admirable work in sup
port OF Nine Modieska for a number Of
seasons will not doubt that the praise which
his more ambitious efforts have received is
fully deserved.
Mr.. Skinner's repertory here will include
Hamlet" Romeo and Juliet" THE Lady
Of Lyons" and his new romantic play. "A
Soldier OF Fortune" which was produced
for the first time in Chicago couple Of
weeks ago with unqualified success. The
scenes Of the play are laid in Italy at the
beginning of the sixteenth century, period
OF history which is intensely interesting
both to authors, readers and to play-goers
II offers many opportunities for quaint stage
settings and handsome costumes. Italy, at
this time. was having a great deal OF
trouble: the French had come in from the
north; Florence was still an independent
state and the Borgias were at the height
OF their power. Fabian Torelli, the hero
Of the play, is young soldier of fortune,
Scion Of a good family, who is fighting with
the French arms. The first act of the play
is laid at the French camp near Pisa, and
here Toreli is falsely accused OF theft and
is sentenced to be hanged. This is not
done. however, for Niccolo Macchiavelli, the
Florentine statesman, being present at the
trial, personally intercedes with the Due
de Nemours for the young mans life, and
saves It, But he cannot save his degrade
ton and expulsion from the French army
Had not Torelli been a man with high
sense OF honor he could easily have cleared
himself but in so dong would have caused
the downfall of a woman. So, without say
ing a word he is drummed out. The second
acts scene is laid In Florence. Here Torell
has wandered, somewhat out at the elbows,
but still fighting fcrtu5e in ane good ole
way Maccbiaveli intrusts him with Sc
cret mission 10 Rome-a most important
one-and the third act finds the hero in
the gardens of the Borgia palace Mac
chiayelli accompanied by his ward,
Laura, having proceeded from Flor
cnce to Rome by water with that aTch-vil-
lain, Caesar Borgia. who Is scheming to do
away not only with the statesman, but with
the French cardnal-he OF Narbonne-who
is in Rome and whom Macchiavelli seeks.
Torellrs timely arrival illustrates his plans,
but Borgia, indamed with Laura's beauty,
and finding that fair means will not bring
about that which he desires, orders her
abduction. His orders are carried out to
the letter and tho lady is taken to his castle
at Urbino, where the fourth act of the play
takes place. Torelli himself is very much
in love with the young lady, but she has
spurned his suit Realizing her danger, he
sets upon her rescue, and after many eN-
citing adventures, succeeds in so doing, not
only saving her from a dreadful fate. but
also from herself, for before the final cur
tain she promises to become his wife.
Toreli, cleared OF the charges which have
been made against him in the first act is
restored to all his honors.
Great care has been taken to have the
stage settings and costumes both correct
from an historical standpoint and at the
same time very handsome. Mr.. Skinner
brings with him a company Of great eX-
cellence, large, well-balanced organization.
Among its members are included such we'll
known players as Frederick Moscley, Frank
l.. Sylvester John Weeks. w, j. Constan-
tine. Wadsworth Harris. Guy b. Post, A.
L. Mccormick John l.. Connor Paul Ger
son, James Eddy, Maude Durbln. Sarah
TruaN, Eda Eberle. Mary Breyers and Naomi
Roberts,
In this day OF vaudeville an attraction
that can boast of five exceedingly strong
specialties in connection with a melodrama
hat is known from one end OF the country
to the other is bound to demand attention
from the theater-going public. Such an
attraction is Katie Emmett in THE Waits
Of New York" who opens a four-nights'
engagement at the Boyd theater with .
| matinee today. at the new regular prices OF
tho house.
Among the well known speciality artists
in the company are Harry Weston, Ger
man dialect comedian; Jenny Engel one
Of Tony Pastors favoritc cards; De Arvillc
sisters, from the Alhambra, London; Baby
Isabelle tho youngest child on the stage,
being only years old and merry Katie
Emmett In her latest budget Of songs.
Miss Emmctts impersonation of Willie
Rufus, New York newsboy, Is said to be
| a unique and distinct characterization. Re
| Gently In Detroit the Newsboys band. cen
neote1 with the Daily News serenaded Miss
| Emmett at the Cadallac hotel and then at
| tended the performance In a body and then
| enthusiasm was something wonderful to
sec. The boys of the Watts mission at
chicago are indebted to Miss Emmett FOR
many an enjoyable evening and substantial
dinner. and invariably speak of her as
"Our Katie" a title that Miss Emmett is
Justly proud OF.
Tho sale OF tickets has been large and
good s2cd audiences are assured for this
afternoon and evening. A bargain day"
matinee will he given on Wednesday.
Joseph Jefferson and his supporting COM
nany win be seen for one night only at the
Creighton W cuncSdHy, OcNupel IA ippCIIIuS
in his ever popular play, RIP Van
W!nklc." The coming engagement Will
give local play-gocrs their first opportunity
for several seasons of witnessing this great
players performance. and the probabilities
are that the capacity OF the theater VIII
be tested. The demand for seats IS already
a largo ono. n number OF large theatci
parties from adjacent Cit!rs being expected.
Seats viii be placed m Halc MoplaY morn
ing at o'clc7k'
Apropos Mr.. Jcffersoas con!ns appear
anco as Rip Van Winkle in tails city, coIGCs
an amusing Incident as toll by Mr., Jefferson
in connection with his first appearance IN
RIP Van Wluklc" In Lon Ion,
"Oue Sunday evening" said Mr.. Jeifer-
son. being alone IN my lodgings, got out
for my own admiration my new Wig and
beard--ihe pride ot my hoart-which was
| 20 use In the last act. l could not resist
trying thrm an for ;ho twentieth time. ]
ihink 50 | got In front Of the glaas and
! adjusted them tO my entire satisfaction. |
soon iccalle cnthuscd ana began acting and
! posing In frcnt OF the mlrTor. In about
! twenty minutes lterr came knock at tho
door. Who's tberc9' called l.
"'It's me. II you please, said the genti,