The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-28
COMEDYIN VIRGINIA.
An Important Theatrical Venture soon 70
be Launched Here

After many years the old theatrical
stock company system, which optaihed
I'm Richmond during the decade previous
10 1866. and which is now being sucCess-
fully operated In all the big cues Oh
the country, r. 10 be revived, ana the
play-going public in this vicinity VIII
again be afforded an opportunity 10 en-
10Y a season OF the grand old fhgiish
comedies acted by players famous
throughout the length and breadth Oh
America.
The enterprise is claimed TO De the
most interesting and important uhoertak-
ing I'm Virginia since the dsintegration
Of the Richmond Theatre Stock Company
with which were identified at one time
or another the most eminent actors and
actresses Of the period. notable among
whom raay be recalled John Wilkes
Booth. Edwin Booth. John McCulloch'
Lawrence Barrett. Joseph Jefferson, W.
]. Florence, Frank Chanfrua. Mrs. ID. +.
Bowers and others.
1t is proposed 10 play the stock company
over the circuit consisting of Richmond
Norfolk Petersburg, Lynchburg and one
or more other cities. giving one perform
ance q week in each place. probably play
twice a week i'm Richmond. The produc-
tiOns are to be on an elaborate scale. the
costumes and scenic investture being
created especially for each individual
play in the repcrtoir, and accurate In
every detail While the leading people
for the company have not yet been select
ed the management is in communication
with Robert Hilliard. Maurice Barry
more. +. J. Henley. Joseph Wheelock. 4.
c. Lipmon, Elita Proctor Otis, Virginia
Buchanan. Rose Ey:iDge. Amy Richard,
nj others of lllxC
farme from whom choice VIII be made.
The season will open about the first OF
February and extend through the months
Of March. April and probably May, il
weather permits.
The scheme which means so much for
the amusement-seeknr public was
conceived by Mr.. Benz. Tuthill. the well
known theatrical manager, who has d.
rected the affairs Of some Of the most
distinguished stars and important thea
tres of this country. Mr.. Tuthill after
having given the scheme close study and
thorough investigation believes that IL
will meet with the substantial support II
merits. Before coming TO Richmond he
conferred with Manager Thomas G..
Leath, Of the Academy Of Music. who
expressed himself as being confident that
the enterprise would commend itself 10
the better class Of paygoers and win
their generous support.
The consummation OF Mr.. Tuthilrs
plans will depend upon sufficient assur-
ance Of financial support being given II by
the cities taken into the circuit. Thus
far everything has progressed favorably
and there Is now but little doubt that the
company will appear here during the
first week OF February. number Of
RichmoLds most prominent citizens have
already subscribed for season tickets.
the public sale of which did not begin
until yesterday.
only limited number Of these tickets
will be offered for sale. The advantages
accruing from their possession are SUI
lciently enticing TO warrant the belief
that the allotted number viii lie disposed
Of during the next few days. The re
pertoir of plays TO be produced includes
The School for Scandal" The Heir AZ
Law" THE Rivals" Masks and Faces. -"
and "Cagta." Mr.. Tuthill has engaged
as his business representative Mr. Robert
+. Golden, the we'll known newspaper
man.