Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-24

r WHITESIDE.
every habitual theatre-goer has heard
such words and seen such actions scores
Of times.
The success of many plays OF this
character seems to depend upon the IN
PRODUCTION OF Notwithstanding locomo-
tives. buzz-saws. explosions, and hres.
Wonderful escapes from death by these
agents have often given to melodrama
sufficient impetus to carry 1t through
several seasons, but a critical thought
will pronounce such scenes as appealing
only TO the most morbid tastes. No
healthy mind could enjoy even the sham
of a mans impending decapitation by the
teeth Of revolving saw. When
moments consideration would con-
vince any one that the average melo-
drama. viewed either In the ensem-
bic or resolved into it's sensational eie-
,nents. is sarcicial in the extreme and
can arouse no feelings, except SUCH as
are inimical 10 the betterment OF human
nature the conclusion that It's popularity
is no indication Of merit cannot admit OF
doubt.
Fanny Davenport believes that good
play-one that really helps the people
is a play that is optimistic in its tendency.
''People need to be encouraged TO go on
with their lives" says Miss Davenport.
'If they see the hero fail, If the dramatist
says that life is a failure, that existence
Is tiresome, the spectator VIII De ols-
couraged. What he needs Is to see that,
although life has many difficulties, yet
II Is quite possible to triumph over them;
that others who have more diihcultles
Than he vet succeeded in overcoming
L. arxr In
play. as we'll as feeling and tenderness.
II should not be too serious. 1t should
not be too light, but should always be
cheerful and hopeful in its results
Dramatists who write about famous
Frenchmen are sure 10 have their trou-
bles unless they stick to facts. Their
descendants shy at poetic license. The
present representatives OF the families of
Alfred do Musset and George Sand pre-
vented the performance OF play which
concerned them, and now Paul Deroulede.
who. in his new play, THE Death or
General La Hoche," made the hero die
by poison, has aroused the wrath OF the
present family. who have produced docu-
ments to prove that their ancestor died
of consumption. The play was acted
lately at the Porte st. Martin Theatre,
and history is said to be on the side OF
the descendants.
Mr.. Walker Whiteside Will appear ut
the Academy of Music on Monday ano
Tuesday. He will present new drama,
entitled 1.-The Man in Black on the
opening night of his engagement and a.
q matinee performance on Tuesday. and
will close with Hamlet" Mr.. White
side appeared here last season, and made
a decided impression in the latter charac-
ter.
Almost every serious actor sooner or
later presents himself as Hamlet. The
character is beautiful, and the ambition.
to embody it is both natural and noble.
Whiteside possesses attributes as an
actor that would give importance to his
performance of almost any part that he
might choose 10 represent. Intellectual
concentration, dignity Of aspect, intensity
of demeanor, weight Of personality. pow.
err and melody Of voice, coplous resonance
of delivery, the capacity Of quick transit
ton from quietude 10 trenchant impetu-
osjty-these are blended in his nature with
the self-absorption and the physical
strength essential to sustain an exactins
character at high tension Of life. Mr..