The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-28

"In Atlantic City" is a musical farce
comedy 1t promises a novelty in the way
of legitimate comedy, inasmuch as the
ladies are given an opportunity to wear
handsome costumes, and the comedians
chance to wear dress suits for at least one
act. The star of the company is Mr..
Frank NJ. Wills well known here through
his connection with Two Old Cronies."
The company comes highly indorsed. The
Norfolk Wa.) Pilot speaks of 1t as follows;
1.-THE play deserved a packed house and
will undoubtedly get 1t if the management
can be persuaded to play return date.
The idea was somewhat prevalent that I'm
Atlantic City was a burlesque, but such
is not the case. 1t is bright, clean mu
steal comedy, such a one that drives away
all care at least, for a time 1t is spark
ling with genuine wit and humOr, bright,
catchy music and pretty girls. 1t has
well-defined part, which for a moment
touches high dramatic standard, and 1t
is certainly the best vehicle which MIR.
Wills has ever had to display his undoubt-
ed talents AS the big-hearted, but I'M
couth old father, he is at his best His
recitation in the second act Of Davies
promise, in rich German dia B., was
rare treat, and the only coInDa son that
can be drawn with Mr.. Wills is the late
George S. Knight. Hastings and Wright,
both in their parts and their speciality, de-
serve a share of the hOrors of the evening.
Dollie Mestayer, as Violet, sang and acted
like the true artist that she is. Mr.. Cranes
solo in the second act was artistic, as was
also his acting. Miss Eimore was very
acceptable as Rose, Notwithstanding a
very bad cold. Pat Rooney is a wonder
no better dancer ever visited Norfolk. On
the whole, we wish 'In Atlantic City a
speedy return.
.sr44 g.
day. Dec511, in "Et Captain" The opera
is too well known to threater-goers to
need extended notice. 1t had a brilliant
ly successful engagement of sixteen weeks
at the Broadway theater, New York, last
season. Many of the old faVorites of the
organization, as well as several new ones
are in the cast.
Never Again" will be seen for the first
time in Savannah Monday, Dec. 10.
Otis Skinner will play a two-nights' and
matinee engagement Dec. 81 and Jan l.
Manager Weis will make a feature of the
New Years matinee. The play which
Mr.. Skinner will present is a new one a
free adaptation of one of Robert Louis
StevensOn's stories. tni
The largest collection of dramatic litera-
"
toned off at Boston next spring. The col
lection includes 5000 books relating to the
stage, $500 autograph letters, 100000 play
bills and 1000 prints and photographs of
actors, besides programmes, oil paintings
and odd and ends of curious theatrical
memorabilia. Dramatic authorities are al
ready on the alert and awaiting the OPEN
ing of the sale.
Some of the Chicago critics think that
Eugene Presbrey stole "A Virginia Court
ship" which w. II. Crane is playing, from
plays all the way between London AS
surance" and Uncle Toms Cabin" Anna
Irish fairly shares the honors with the
star
The departure of the gigantic Barnum &
Bailey shows for London has served to
bring out an interesting story that Mr..
James Bailey, the proprietor of the above
enterprise, loves to tell at the expense of
his former partner, the late p. T. Barnum.
1t was away back in 1880, when the news
got around that the first elephant born in
captivity was living and travelling with the
Bailey show. Mr.. Bailey was a struggling
young circus owner them battling against
fearful odds Barnum was atthe hight of
his most remarkable career-at the very
topmost notch of circus fame
Mr.. Barnum, quick TO see the advantage
of having so important an attraction as q
real American baby elephant, telegraphed
to Mr.. Bailey as follows:
"Will give $100, 600 for your baby ele-
plant. Must have it,"
Mr.. Bailey wired IN answer, OWN not
sell at any price"
This seemed a daring thing for Mr.
Bailey to do. for 100000 would almost
have purchased the entire show. Even
Mr.. Baileys best friends, whom he con-
suited in the matter, advised him to ac-
cept the offer. Instead of doing that he
refused 1t and hustled east with his circus
TO meet Barnum on his own ground
BY the time that the Bailey circus
reached the east the whole country was
billed with posters on which was print
ed, "What Barnum Thinks Of the Baby
Elephant" Underneath that heading was
printed Barnums telegram to Mr.. Bailey.
AS the Bailey show followed In the wake
of the Barnum circus each town in which
the Barnum aggregation appeared was
billed with the Bailey posters
The trick worried Barnum to such an
extent that he jumped from New York TO
Kansas City and surrendered the whole
eastern field to the Bailey show The next
year the two shows were consolidated.
Mr.. Barnum's one joke with Mr. Bailey
as long as the shrewd old circus manager
was alive was, 'Weu, have you any moro
baby elephants that you do not want to
sell?'
Was your tour success?" asked the
friend.
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