The herald., 1896-02-16
Before the Eooflights

Since he has been a star. that is for the
past ten years, Alexander Salvini has been
almost exclusively identified with the ro-
mantle drama, and consequently many
theatre Roers who are familiar with his
earlier career might naturally conclude
that he was an actor limited 20 the por-
trayal of romantic character. Prior to that
time, however, he was looked upon as one
OF the greatest eccentric character actors
on the American stage. hut if other ill.,
fiuerlces were wanting 10 dissipate such n
possible impression the reception accorded
his Hamlet were more than enough. The
romantic heroes of ID EMERY and Dumas
as portrayed by Salvini are intensely fasci-
mating, he alone has made them accepts-
BILE in this generation, but Salvini's powers
are such as are intended for the delinea-
ton of grand ideals and these are only 10
be found in the Shakespearean and classic
drama. Of the greater classic roles, Ham
let is looked upon as the most difficult,
and Mr.. Salvini's very successful portrayal
augurs we'll for Othello, the Outlaw, and
Romeo and Juliet, which it is said he is
soon TO add TO his repertoire.
Annie Belmont has been temporarily
transferred from the John Drew company
to Too Much Johnson.
Another English version of Francois Cop
PEGS poetic play. For the Crown, has been
made, and will be produced shortly by
Forbes Robinson in England.
Paul Potter is in Paris, and it is said that
he has arranged with Henri Cain to make
a comedy opera out of Trilby. The piece,
il is said, will be seen in Paris within the
next three or four months, most probably
at one of the boulevard theaters.
William Greet has sold his lease of the
Avenue theater, London, to n syndicate.
Jessie Bartlett Davis was taken sud-
denly ill on the night of January "a, while
playing Robin Hood at the Lyceum theater,
Rochester, n. Y, and was forced to leave
the stage. For time it was thought she
was dying. Hard work is ascTibed as the
cause of her collapse. She has recovered
since.
Lottie Collins will play the title role in
the latest London musical play, The New
Barmaiu.
Mrs. Jane Stephens. who died in London
two weeks ago, was eccentric to the last
degree. She left strict orders that her body
should be cremated. "Grauny," as she
was known, was the original Mrs. Willough-
! in the first London production of Boucci-
cault's Hunted Down, in which Henry Irv-
ing made his London debut.
The many friends of Madame Modjeska
will read with pleasure that she is recov-
ering from her serious illness in Cincin-
natl.
Rudyard Kipling is said to be writing a
play, the heroine of which is a nautch
girl.
The mosaic poster of Sara Bernhardt
which is attracting attention about town is
by Cheret.
| Charles L. Fisher is one of the few actors
| who have fad for accommodating old play
| bills. He has rare collection, in which he
! takes great pride.
/ Charles Ii. Hoyt is making speeches
nowadays as Richard Mansfield. Mr..
Hoyt's remarks, however, are usually
modest and sane. Last week in Boston ne
came before the curtain during the per.
formance of A Trip to Chinatown and said
the enduring vitality of that play was due
wholly TO Harry Conor, the inimitable
Welland Strong.
Thomas Keene recently lectured to the
students of the Seattle college.
Mrs. S. A. Baker, who is a member of
the Thomas Keene company, celebrated
her seventy y-eighth birthday on January
18th.
Katherine MacNeill, the contralto, is in
Chicago, where her time is filled with en-