The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-26
NEWS OF THE STAGE LAND.
MINSTRELSY AND COMEDY At THE
THEATER THIS WEEK.

AL, C. Fields Ministries for Three
Performances and Bob Graham IN
n New Comedy Called w hos Your
Friend"-SOI. Smith Russell Has
New PIay-Minnie A1addern FisISe
to Portray becky sharp in Thack-
eray's "Vanity Fnir"-StanIey
Weyman's "Ian in Black Has
Been Dramatizcd for walker
WhiteSisIe-Nevvs of Stage People.
Al G. Fields band of Ministries and Bob
Graham in a new comedy will be the at
fractions at the theater this week.
The house will be dark until Wednesday
night, when Fields minstrels come for
three performances, Wednesday and
Thursday nights and Thursday matinee.
1t is an unusual thing for minstrel show
to stay two nights in Savannah and more
so still to give a matinee performance. The
matinee will be especially for ladies. Jolly
Bob Graham win be here Friday night IN
his new comedy who's Your Friend"
The following week Lillian Lewis will
be here for two nights and a matinee, and
also Jacob Lifts big production, The
Last Stroke" for one performance.
The past week was "A good one at the
theater. both Of the attractions, Nancy
Hanks" and 1892" being good shows.
1882" closed its engagement last night TO
a small house. 1t played to a good matinee
house in the afternoon.
Aiinstrelsy is popular in Savannah. That
is an undisputed fact. Good shows come
and go and play to small houses, but
minstrel shows always play to packed
houses. If there is a star along, such as
AL Field, George Wilson, Billy Barlow, or
Primrose or West, so much the better for
the show, but even that is not necessary.
Whether it is the minstrel parade or the
concert of the band which draws the peo-
pie is not known, but nevertheless min
strels always draw well.
AL Field is a favorite in Savannah. IL
IS always a pleasure to see his minsrels-
there is so much that is new in their
performance, and it is always up to
high standard. Field usually discards the
old chestnuts, and generally has some
thing new.
Among the weIl-known artists of the
black face who are with Fields are: Billy
Vann, Dan Quinlan-not our Billy Quinan
Tommy Donnelly. Frank Todd, VIII
Walling, Reese Prosser and Harry Shell
don.
Bob Graham played in Savannah sew
eral years ago in After the Bali for the
benefit of the Elks and he made many
friends. who's Your Friend" in which he
is appearing this year, is a rollicking com
edy, of the jolly, quickstep order with
no plot, save to create merriment and
make friends everywhere. 1t Is said 60
be sparkling with catchy sayings and Wit
ty situations. Mr. Graham plays the role !
of pious, sanctimonious lawyer, very dis
Greet in the presence of his wife ana
mother-in-law, but gay old boy when
they are OUT of sight, and that is what
gets him into so many troubles in the
play.
1t may or may not be strange that some
of the better standard works Of fiction
have not been dramatized. In this vau-
deyille age, however, 1t Is always some
thing new that is wanted. 1t is pleasing,
therefore, TO learn that Minnie Madden
Fiske, that capable and artistic actress,
is having Thackerays vanity Fair
dramatized, with a. view to playing Becky |
Sharp. 1t is perhaps natural that she
Should look TO a famous work of fiction !
for new character as her Tess of the |
d. Urbervilles' was taken from a we'll
known novel.
Mrs. Fiske is said to be a reverent fol- |
lower of the great Italian actress, Duse,
and it is noted that she has arranged for |
play, the scenes of which are laid in the |
Italian quarter of New York 1t will be
called Little Italy" and aims at a real |
istic portrayal of life in the quarter
Italian" OF the great metropolis
During James ONeiTs first season in
Monte Cristo," an old and well-known
actor, who was member of his company
died suddenly in Detroit. The day after
the death of the actor, Mr.. O'Neill was
handed telegram on which there were
charges of SIPS. The message ran some
thing like this: Have just learned that
- -- died yesterday. Willing to take
his place for $50 a week. Am up in roles
and have necessary costumes Answer
quick" The name signed TO the telegram
was that of a very bad actor, and Mr.
O'Nell replied, collect" of course: Your
telegram received and contents noted. I
admire your courage. I would not be will
ing to take his place for twice that salary"
1t may be because he thinks he is not
popular there or il may be because he is
so popular outside Of New York that Sol
Smith Russell rarely gives the theater-
goers of that city an opportunity of see
ing him. For the first time in several
years Mr.. Russell is playing in New York.
de opened up the Garden theater last
week in a new play called THE Bache-
lor's Romance" by Martha Morton. His
role is on the order of those which he has
always played. It is that of a country
editor and literary critic who is so alb
sorbed in his work that ne does not mind
the world and imagines the world has no
interest in him. The story is said to be
pretty one. AS usual Mr., Russell scored
big hit
Professional jealousy evidently does not
trouble Walker Whiteside, the tragedan.
He has engaged for his leading support
the coming season no less an actor than
Frederick Paulding, who has had dis
dngulshed career in some of the best
companies that have played the legitimate
drama in this country, and has been a
star as well. While Mr.. Whiteside has
nothing to fear from comparison with his
contemporaries, his step in engaging so
bright light is to be highly commended
Most stars-or at least a good part of
them-endeavor TO have their company
not too good, so that their own talents
will show up the more Mr.. Whiteside
does not err. however, for his own art
will he rein forced and b{ght.ro1 49,