The age-herald., 1897-11-21

The different natioralities that go to making up American audiences nave made them the most cosmopolitan in the world. They have known every phase of life. A problem play cannot be too subtle for their conservative minds. They adore costume plays, and grow en- thusiastic over a comedy of powder ana patches. They flock to see historical dramas. and glory in the diplomacy Of Richelieu. Murat cannot be too cruel or Charlotte Corday too intriguing.
 The American theater-gosrs can get as much excitement from society pray as they do from war dramas Ihey delight in-Beau Brummels A WenzeH type in a modern drawing room play is for the moment almost as enchanting as Beatrice in the hands of Ada Rehan. As for romantic plays, with court beau- ties and minuets and duelists the Ameri- can public never grows weary.
 But to go back to the problem play The latest one of the most advanced order was given an airing the past week before metropolitan audience. IL is Ibsen's work and was presented at Hoyt's theater under the management of the directors of the Independent the ater This new theater Is to be directed by the staff of the Crt;r rion, weekly art journal They propose to present series of plays which, through the indifference to art of theatrical man agers have remained unknown to the great mass of play-goers.
 The achievements of other managers from the Criterion's point of view have all been for naught. The magnificent work of playwrights of today that has charmed a nation is not, after all, the noblest form of drama. The publishers of the Criterion will have an endless task in looking oyer rejected plays. It will be thankless one as far as Ameri- can audiences are concerned. They do not want a series of unknown plays. The authors are probably the only per sons interested. The brilliant coterie of theater managers, with Augustin Daily the conspicuous figure, eloquently re- flute any statements that place their selection of dramas in the light of in- difference to art. The history of the American stage as far as the legitimate lies, is replete with all that is best in art.
 It is said that Lady Francis Hope is coming back to America. She is going to show us how fine it is to be q lady of quality. Her carer has been similar to Betty Ordway's Those who knew Betty OlFiWEay in her hey-day say that she was not a circumstance to Lady Hope, as May Yohe.
 May Yohe began her career in Chicago, where as a beauty and a wit sine be- came the rage. She was the toast in the clubs, and the gayest of all tha bril- liant throng that followed in her train. Her star was still in the ascendancy when the newspapers printed the story of hzr elopement with I. w. Shaw. His former wife secured @ divorce from him, naming May Yohe as Correspondent. The publicity of the affair turned the tide for her She cama to New York. The marvellous notes were still dn her voice, but the girlish beauty had left her faoa. In the streets sine appeared carelessly dressed. There was an aban- don about her that showed the signs of weatr and tear She went to London. Ths British metropolis went wild about her. She became once more a butterfly of fashion The delicate beauty of her face, the duc:t tones in her voice were again the themes in the clubs. Her conauests were numerous. In the end she married Lord Francis Hope.
 Her ladyship is rs turning to America where, nine years ago. she sprung into fame by right of her beauty and the splendor of her voice. It was here that she went the pace. She is coming back to laugh over these memories. They cannot affect her in these later days She will bring with her the knowledge that some day sh= may be peeress in the British realm.
 Augustin Daly with Miss Rehan are once again on these shores. They will begin their New York engagement early in December Miss Rehan alternating with the Geisha as she did last season. A new comedy. entitled ''The Three Daughters of Monsieur Dupont" will be presented late in the season.
 In regard to the new comic opera, ''Ma. dame Sans Gene" there has not been a definite arrangement. The rights belong ro Florence St. John and there are some complications with Victorian sardou and Sir Henry Irving.
 nIr. Sothern will not revive Change Alley this season, as he contemplated
 Frederick Paulding is no longer sup . porting Walker Whiteside. He resigned from the company the past week ir Knoxville, and will join stock company for the rest of the season.
 Miss Lydia Eustis. the niece of Formei United States Ambassador Eustis tc France whose mezzo-soprano voice has often been feature of fashionable mu- sfcales in New York, Newport and Paris