The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-02
CITY THEATERS CROWDED
Way Large Number Of Persons Spent
the First Day Of the Year.
THE ATTRACTIONS OFFERED
ClSmmic Faddcn Was Well Received at
the Rockingham and Lost in New
York Filled the Acadcm my Af.
tcrnOOu and Evening

New Years day was observed by the
closing of nearly all of the business
houses of the city and the shutting
down of the greater part of the mines
and manufacturing establishments.
This brought many people to the city
from suburban towns and during the
afternoon hours the streets had quite a
holiday appearances. Many of the idlers
sought the theaters and as Al result the
F'rothingham, Academy of Music and
Davis Theater were crowded afternoon
and evening, the evening audiences be-
ing particularly large. AT the Froth-
ingham 'Chimmie Fadden'' held the
boards, while Lost in New York" en-
tertained the many who visited the
Academy of Music. "The Widow Be
dott' was the magnet that attracted
hundreds of people to Davis' theater.
AT night the many balls in the city
We're well attended and the Sheridan
fair was generously patronized. 1t
closed last night for q short period.
something very unique in theatri-
cal way is "Chimmie Fadden" which
was seen by large audiences at the
rockingham yesterday afternoon and
evening. Long before o'clock last
night nothing was to be obtained but
standing room and there was no sur
plus of that either. Many We're skep-
tical about the possibility of moulding
Mr.. Townsend's clever sketches of
Bowery life in New York into any kind
of presentable stage production but
1t has been done and with considerable
success too. The character drawing is
very good. the indescribable flavor OF
naturalness that permeated all of Mr.
Townsends sketches being most faith
fully reproduced in the stage vision. To
represent the various types. people of
much clevcrness have been banded to-
eether in company headed by Charles
Hopper who essays the title role, ,"Chim-
me Fadden." Mr.. Hopper is nothing
if not realist and there is not a
moment while on the stage that he
forgcts that he is "Chimmie." His
character creation of the hero of Mr.
Townsend's sketches is one of the most
real things seen on the stage. Next to
Mr.. Hopper the most decided hits were
made by George Nash in the character
of Mr.. Paul. with a penchant for innu-
merable small bottles and Marie
Bates whose work in the rather unlove-
~ role of Mrs. Murphy challenged criti-
cism. Miss Bates is real artist and
no finer bit of eccentric character work
has been seen on a Scranton stage than
she did yesterday afternoon and even
ing as Mrs. Murphy" incidentally
during the action of the comedy Mr..
Hopper sang several songs. The piece
is well staged and altogether was re-
ccived with much favor.
Large and well-pleased audiences
witnessed the matinee and evening per-
formances of Lost in New York" at
the Academy of Music This play, al
though familiar to Scranton theatre
goers has not outlivcd its welcome. It's
touches of real life. its rapid action and
effective ciimaxcs are still as thorough
ly appreciated as the actions and situa-
tions of any melodrama on the stage.
TO rehearse the story of the play would
be trite. 1t is of the school that has
won and retained favor, heavy villain,
a woman with past, helpless mother.
a heroic comedian and sOubrette who
in the end sets everything right. AS
the soubrette Miss Lily Sinclair acted
and danced herself into the affections of
the house. Baby Sheridan became the
especial property of every one In the
house from the time her wee winsOme
ness beean until the curtain fell. Charles
f. Edwards was, capital as the tramp.
Miss Jean Williams was a thought too
refined and too pretty to inspire the
hearts of those present with the hate
which thoroughly wicked adventures
should inspire. AS a whole the COM
pany was competent.