Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-07
MANSFIELD SEEN As RODION.
He and His Company give Finish
ed Performance.

The appearance Of Mr.. Richard Mans
field I'm this city is always received with
pleasure. and especially was this true
last night. when he presented at the
Academy new play. THE Story Of
Rodion. the Student" The audience was
a representative and critical one. Mr.
Mansfield was forced to respond to cur
tain calls after each act 10 satisfy their
applause.
1.-THE Story of Rodion. the Student" is
founded upon Dostoyevsky's book "Crime
and Punishment" which created quite a
sensation when IL was first published. In
dramatizing the book Mr. c. II. Meltzer
the dramatic editor of the New York
World, has compiled strong play. IT
is weird story of Russian anarchist,
Rodion. who believes that to kill is not
crime, but motive 10 destroy nui-
sance or menace 10 mankind. While I'M
der the influence of his horrible halluci-
nation he Stays a pawnbroker. who at
tempts to wrong a girl whom he loves.
The police officials arrest an innocent
man. The idea that an innocent man is
TO suffer for his crime haunts him. and
throws him into a state Of remorse, du-
ring which he enacts the committal OF
the crime. He concludes to leave his
native country, TO go TO America, where
he will try to bury the thought OF his
crime in his new surroundings. On the
verge OF his leaving Sonia. an outcast
girl. for whose honor he committed his
crime. intercepts him. and induces him
to make a confession of his sin to the
officials He takes her advice and does
so. Through the plot there is visible a
love story, beautiful In its simplicity and
denouement.
Mr.. Mansfield presents in the role Of
Rodion Romanyteh, student cafeful
study Of repulsive character. IL is n
finished piece of work. drawn with the
! fine lines OF master hand. Placed in
.he hands of an actor of ordinary mien
! the role would be insignificant, but Mr..
Mansfield gives II a prominence that lin
gers. His recital of his crime in the
fourth act can be- easily placed among
his best achievements.
To Miss Beatrice Cameron's Sonia
| can be attributed large share OF the
success of the production. Her under
| taking Is a delicate one, but II finds an
easy conqueror in her. The Petrowltch
OF Mr.. ID. H. Harkins was excellent, and
not overdrawn.
Mr.. Mansfield's support is superb. He
has surrounded himself with a COM
pany of the best members of the profess
sion. No stone has been left unturned
i'm the staging of the production, the
most minute utldllS SNNH mo a.
| tention. In the church scene in the last
act the Imperial Quartette rendered the
music.
'Dr. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" this eve
ming concludes Mansfield's engagement.
| At the Richmond Theatre last evening
/ a small audience greeted Oliver Byron
| and his company in the Ups and Downs
| of Life"
The comedy is amusing and full of
ludicrous situations. which appeared 10
entertain those present.
This evening Walter Lawrence, assisted
by an excellent company. Will commence
an engagement of two evenings IN
''Fabio Romain," at the Theatre
"Fabio Roman is a play Astounding IN
powerful dialogue and thrilling climaxes
! The plot admits OF an abundance oil
scenic display. By many critics, IT Is
| said to resemble Monte Cristo.
1.-THE Land of the Midnight Sum- fresh
from a two weeks engagement In At
lanta, comes TO the Academy or MUSIC
tomorrow evening for three perform
ances. including special matinee
Thursday.