The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-11-21


Copyright 1897 by the Associated Press.)
London, Nov 20.-An episode of pecu-
har interest was the enactment by cler-
Bynen on Wednesday last in Canterbury
nall Of the first church play in recent
gears. 1t was entitled 1.-The Conversion
Of England" was written by the Rev.
Henry Cresswell and was really a success
sion Of ten historical tableaux, with the
dialogue in stilted. heroic strain, TO the
accompaniment of sacred music. The
scenes included a Roman market, -
where English slaves attracted Pope
Gregory's attention; the meeting between
Pope Gregory and the monks with King
Ethelbert on the Isle OF Thanet and
King Ethelbert's baptism at Canterbury.
The central figure Of the production is
81. Augustine. The costumes, scenery,
and chants were historically accurate.
The play. however, is described as a
"dreary entertainment"
There are only four of the London the
aters whose doors are not opened, al
though the season is hardly under way,
and TWO OF the four will be filed early in
next month. Yet for all this display of
theatrical activity hardly more than half
Of the thirty playhouses which struggle
frenziedly for the patronage and the
money of the L0ndo1sEs are paying their
running expenses.
Various theories are advanced for the
failure Of London theaters 10 pay, the
most credited one being that the in
crease OF suburban playhouses is keep
ing suburban playgaers at home. An
other factor which unquestionably conts
is the price charged for seats. An or
chestra stall in a London theater costs
ten shillings (s2.5Ol. while other seats are
correspondingly high. Yet no theater
can cut the rates without losing caste.
The most noteworthy success among
the money-making minority is 1.-The
Geisha," which, after a two years run at
Days theater, gives no sign Of lessen
ing popularity, while among the newer
native ventures The White Heather
the most sensation melodrama; Henry
Arthur Jones comedy 1.-The Liars" which
Charles Wyndham is giving at the Cri-
terlon; Henry Esmonds comedy "One
summers Day" and Cartons play "The
Tree of knowledge with George Alex
ander and Julian Nelson as the stars.
the centers Of interest for the fashionable
world.
There has been much speculation as to
how the American singer Marie Angel
would be received a the Royal Opera
house, Madrid, in view of the political
tension between Spain and the United
States, but according TO dispatch from
Madrid the appearance of Mms. Angel on
Tuesday as Ophelia in Hamlet was
very successful.
The continued fine mild weather has
added to the enjoyment OF country house
parties, which are now in full swing in
all parts of England
The autumn has developed two fresh
specimens of. the new woman" among
the aristocracy. Lady Clifford is person.
ally hunting pack of barriers regular
iy, while the Duchess of Bedford has es-
taolisned her reputation as a first class
shot and in Bedfordshire knocks over
high-rocketing pheasants with the best
shots among the men.
The storekeepers of Londen are in
arms over the visit of the Prince of
Wales. their best patron, to a large de-
partment store this week. The heir ap-
parent carefully inspected the establish
ment and made numerous purchases.