The record-union., 1896-11-22
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terest in the removal OF the big theater
hat nuisance. It is apparently the cas-
lest and cheapest way in the world to
get extensive advertising, for the news
papers generally regard it as move
ment of public interest. Frank Howe,
Jr, of the Walnut-street Theater, Phil
adelphia, took the matter UP earnestly
a week or so ago and received from one
to three columns in the newspapers with
illustrations, commencing MS sooo
work. It was all brought about by the
following little notice appended TO the
house programme: ITO the LADIES:
Would you add to the pleasure OF your
men friends and aid the efforts OF the
management by wearing small bon-
let to the thealter, or remove large hats
during the progress of the play? A
commodious room with large mirrors
and a skilled maid in charge is pro-
vided, where your hats are checked free
of charge, and where your hat can be
readjusted in comfort, and with per-
feet satisfaction to yourselves"
Maurice Barrymore's new play,
Roaring Dick & Co." had its first pro-
duction at the National Theater, Wash
ington. recently. From kilograms re-
ceived it evidently made a pronounced
success. The story of the play is that
of a young man who, when a boy
forged his fathers name to a check, for
which his parent had cast him out and
disowned him. He travels about the
world extensively, and in the course of
his reckless wanderings forms the ac-
ouaintance and companionship of a man
t<N II
home in England after several years
absence, with the intention of getting
all he can out Of his old father, rather
than to seek his forgiveness after the
manner of the ordinary prodigal. The
father has preserved the check which
Dick forged, and by that means the
son proves his identity. He tells his
father that he is a millionaire, knowing
that is the best way to get into his
good graces. Dick is a light hearted,
good fellow in spite of all his misdeeds
He tells his father great tales of his
adventures, and so ingratiates himself
into his condence that the old gentle
man makes over to him everything he
Possesses. Dick thereupon resolves to
reform and when THE Major" sug-
gests to him the idea of robbing the
old mans bank he tells THE Major
that he will have nothing more to do
with him. THE Major" attempts to
break into the bank, and Dick arrives
Just in time to save his father from
being assassinated. THE Major" is so
enraged at finding his plans frustrated
that he tells the father that Dick is a
blackleg, thief and penniless pauper.
The excitement and the accusations
against Dick so work upon the old
man that he becomes paralyzed. Dick
then takes the deed of gift and tears
j. up before his father to show him
that he does not want any of his mon
ey The Major in the meantime robs
the bank, but Dick, by his ready
thought and strategy, succeeds in saw
ing the bank from ruin. His father,
eeaing he has no one to depend on but
Dick. leaves all his fortune to him,
showing that his confidence Is once
more restored.
= A pretty love story runs through the
main action of the play. A novel scene
is where Dick gives the children in
the town a festival. Rich and poor
alike share in the feast, which is Dick s
idea of proving TO the clergyman the
benefits of practical. rather than the
oreticaI, charity.
Robert Hilliard has made a big hit in
1.-The Mummy at the Garden Theater,
New York No actor who has appeared
in the city this season has won more
universal praise from the critics. Alan
Dale of the Journal" who rarely per-
rnits himself to enthuse. jubilates over
the clever actor in following glowing
style:
& orJf Jr-ayr IN
longer can we class you among the act
ors who travel on their shape and
bid exclusively for the favor of the
matinee girl. You have made a success
full debut in a non- -sartorial farce called
The Mummy and you have not only
made a hit, but you have improved upon.
the work of London's favorite farci-
calist, Lionel Brough, whom / saw in
this play at a sedate matinee at the
Comedy Theater, London, a. few months
ago.
Il distinctly assert that for an actor
who has been doomed for the beauty of
his face and the conviction Of his fig
ure to deliberately pose as the four
thousand-year-o mummy of RamesAs
II, made up coffee color, swathed in tt e
Egyptian substitute for cheesecloth,
lideously bewigged and enshrined In an
uncanny sarcoDhagus. is for that actor
TO manifest unwonted bravery and un
dimmed courage. That is what Rob-
ert Hilliard has done, and done re-
markably we'll"
The present condition of musical pitch
IN England seems to offer justification
for the following plant of a London
journalist:
Again has the vexed question of the
musical pitch cropped up and 1t Is much
to be hoped that ere long It will be no
more a vexed but a settled, question.
/ because the inconvenience Of the pres
+ ent condition Of things is extremely
great, and, moreover, the fact of a high.
low, and medium pitch being recognized
at all is as absurd as ii distressing. On
the continent harmony obtains-on this
subject at least--but here in England
one never knows before trying an in
strument what sound will be heard on
striking a given note, as 1t may be
anything within the limits of half a
tone: and when the man comes to tune
the piano he actually brings three vari-
ously pitched tuning forks with him
so that the one preferred may be chosen
The troubles and annoyances conse-
quent upon the curiously slipshod mode
Of dealing with such an important mat
ter as musical pitch are well known
to every musician and-except on the
score of expense in altering brass In
! struments, and also the objection raised
by some violinists. who imagine tina,
the high pitch shows Off the violin and
their performance on H-there is little
doubt of the pitch universally employed