The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-02-01
Entertainments.
HYPERION.

James A. Herne presented his realis- tic play, shore Acres" again at the Hyperion theater last evening to one of the largest audiences of the season. This play has received eulogistic praise from all that class of dramatic and lit erary critics who long for the real Am erican drama. It has especially been blessed by William Dean Howelrs lau- dations. MT. Howell's pet hobby is realism and he has had great deal to say about the realistic beauties of this reproduction of "down-east' manners and people. The rattle of the stove- lids, the true odor of roasting turkey the Wiping of the child's nose, all these things bring tears to the eyes of the man to whom Thackeray appears a callcaturist And as for the pathos of the old mans heroism especially be- Ing told with dialect, this affects MT. HoWells feelings that he is obliged to witness the performance from the depths of a sitz-bath. MT Howells is a good observer of contemporaneous manners himself and of course the truth
 
 him, but it seems to the humble mind Of the present writer that the realism of this play proceeds to the point of longevity. Otherwise Shore Acres" is a good melo-drama, good in dialogue, characterization and general coustruc- tion and Mir. Herne's impersonation of Nathaniel Berry is delightful crea- | tion. His work has received ample commendation in these columns before, and his performance last night was up to his high standard What we disa- gree with is the overdone so-called real ism. How does a red-hot stove with a sizzling kettle differ in dramatic sig nificance from the much abused tank in melo-drama?
 The company was excellent through | out The children were remarkable and added much to the enjoyment of the evening. Robert Fischer, James Gallo way Grace Clark Grace Filkins and 1 little Edith Taliaferro were especially good The mounting of the play was carefully and effectively done. The transformation of the second act was expeditiously and skillfully managed. Although the applause was loud and continued Mir. Herne refused to accept a 
 curtain call. '
 Northern Lights will be presented 1 this evening. The play had long run and enthusiastic reception in New York and derives its name from the aurora 1 borealis, which the Indians accepted as a signal for a general outbreak during the Sioux uprising of 1876, the scenes of which are depicted in the play. The 1o; | fleet a. phase of history new to the stage of American devotion and patriotism
 Wallace Gray, son of Colonel Gray, commander of Fort Terry, is found at the outset of the play to be guilty of cowardice, and is disowned Sydney Sherwood, chief surgeon of the post de- siring to rid himself of his second wife, | causes her to inoculate herself with cholera virus, but his object is frus- itrated by his assistant, John Swiftwind, an educated Sioux Indian. These events are occurring while the direful ! incidents of the Custer massacre are taking place and the garrison are be- coming hemmed in by the savage vic tors. It is saved from destruction by a startling ride through "Helps Can yon'' by the young officer accused of cowardice in the first act. This ride is shown with great realism and is said | to be one of the most stirring effects ever pictured upon the stage.
 The leading character of Northern Lights" is of Sioux Indian, who, pass 1 ing through Yale college, experiences 1 the benefit of civilization, goes back to Montana as assistant surgeon of the army. Chagrined at the treachery of the whites, he wishes to. return to his own people, only to find himself there as much an alien as under the white mans roof The company has been chosen for general fitness and contains many names well known to theater- goers. Sale of seats now open,