The sun., 1897-10-25

and the faces Of the matrons suggest stern
SuS sDn.c, TO- sSpno that bode, II for AHs nc
the thf, leader steps forward turns right. about
WI %i,h the the groeesot a gate lacking hinge, and
1hS Sat begin They are Of the s
@ great arc their difficulties in keeping OF their
stern-yis aged warriors.' Instead OF for.
Hin shoaIy twG;y and %gk mo shS S%tr
selves in The. desired direction. At the end tho
ebSn cpaoS h sing being led in this by usty Young
which Indicates that his search for precious
pie building Il the women are to secure min.
srs as husbands, they'll bo wiso not TO sing.
asSsr words ord express dsd"m t9r S snd
for me" This i, sTcetly frank, and should ,so So
women 5 vocal chords become quite as badly en-,
tangled in the singing as do their legs IN Shc
marching, and the talking dog hourly confdes
10 his trainer that the song is no joke.
Financial support for an Independent Theatre
in New York has been assured by the Criterion,
weekly magazine, and the first performance
under tho auspices Of the new enterprise will
DO given on Nov. IL Mt the Fifth Avenue
with a translation of Giucosas short play.
THE Right to the Soul" drama called From
Brandes, the Danish author, and similar work
by Herman Sudermann. Nothing more interest
ing than the episode called "Fritzuhen," the
second part of tho trilogy called "Morituri,"
could be selected from Sudcrmann's Theatre;
but the nature OF the Sudcrmann play is not
announced rs yet. Tho committee in charge of
tho performances is composed of writer's who
are in one way or another associated with The
work of the stage. To them will be intrustod
the selection of tho plays and the direction Of
the actors.
Giuscppi Giacosa's "Tho Right to the Soul"
was taken into her repertoire by Eleonora Duse
about year ago and sho acted it first in Berlin.
1t is study of tho relation between man and
wife in the intimate and psychological man
ner of tho new Italian writer's, and it would
seem TO need n genius to act the woman's role.
1t is now proposed to give three performances
month. and It is expected TO give ten in all dur
ing the present season. Although the Criterion
the performances will be open to tho general
public. They will take place in the afternoons
II the new institution puts before the public
interesting plays tnnt are not adapted to per-
formances given in the ordinary course Of
theatrical enterprise, it will accomplish q work
ought to be grateful for. Only good ought
under any circumstances TO come out or the
prospoctus OFT Of tho society @ Which @ great N many my
persons interested in its success gould never
agree with II says that there will be acted "a
to act Of theatrical managers, have remained
unknown 10 the great mass OF playgoers.' 1t
any H0 theatre that Hi It should be-
formed on the ignorance or carelessness OF
theatrical managers. The American view Of
the theatre makes IL, above oil things, place Of
entertainment, Audiences in other countries
go to the theatre to hear literature or TO see life
jure 1t here. But they must never be allowed
to interfere with Its potency to entertain; That
other kind The effect Of this taste is gradually
showing itself In the Independence Of our stage.
Europe that practically nothing but plays that
adhere strictly to the American plan stand any
S rsao the r
main in possession of their theatres. They
have come to do in about as artistic manner
entertained. en- ] whether t be by laugh or q shock
is willing to support.
dependent Theatre can draw, and it is a fort9-
nate thing for dramatic art to have Il estsb;
here BY ths sEs on
plays well without abusing other people or
making enemies for itself, The public Is con
cerned chiefly with what 1t Will do. not with
what other persons have not done.
Tho question as to tho possession OF Hall
Caine's play, Tho Christian" will be settled
when Olga Nothersole and E. A. Willard decide
portant figure in the play which has been made
from the novel. II the woman seems moro con-
spicuous. Miss Nethersole will act the play,
while T. s Willard Is to have It II the hero real
" monopolizes all or most OF rho interest. Pos
sibly the dramatic value OF tho work may also
be considered in this decision as to the owner
ship of the piece.
John Philip Sousa, following the example Of
Richard Wagner, Oscar Hammerstoin, Rug.
gicio Leoncavallo, who is making his own H.
bretto for "Trilby." and other composers. has
written the text ls well as the music for the
comic opera, THE Bride Elect"
De Wolf Hopper will appear next spring at
the Knickcrbockcr Theatre in Tho Charla-
tan," OF which Mr.. Sousa wrote the music and
Charles Klein tho libretto. In this operetta
Mr.. Hopper will play the part OF magician.
Another actor who will be seen in a familiar
role is William Collier. who will probably go to
London to introduce "Too Much Johnson
there 1t is said that ho was selected for the
part by William Gillette.
Upon tho death of Hermann, the conjurer.
his manager took hold of Bancroft, who had
gained success in the same line, and now that
Bancroft is dead he has engaged Henry +. Dixey
to turn from the drama to the manipulation of
cards, the working of deceptive apparatus, and
the operating of spectacular illusions. Mr..
llixey has cut a peculiar figure In amusements.
Various efforts have been made since his popu.
larity in the burlcsque "Adonis" to utilize his
talents, and usually with failure, but 1t may be
that his gifts Of grace and mimicry may at
length find good employment.
Elita Proctor Otis has gone further West
since the Chicago stock company scheme came
to an end and is playing now in Denver 1t Is
curious circumstance that the powers OF
such admirable actress find no opportunity
oh the stage OF New York city.
Fanny Davenport and Ada Rehan arc two
women who will this year be seen as the Maid
of Orleans. Ada Rchan will be seen In a
| French play and Miss Davenport made her own
| drama on the subject.
| Juliette NesviDe left for London on Saturday
| with the parting message that she had refused
| to appear in The Triumph OF the Philistines'
because tho actors selected did not seem capa
| bile of acting the play well II required
She, says that she did not care to be identified
| with the failure of the piece.
| In Henry Arthur JoneS's latest play, "The
| Liars" Charles Wyndham is said to have ths
| longest single speech in any modern play. Ii
| IL said to contain over 900 words. A similar
| objection has been made to Mr.. Jones's lates
work In its entirety.
| ii. A. Du Souchct, who found success SO sud
denly with his clever farce, My Friend from
| India" followed that with another in ''Th,
! Man from Mexico" but My Wifc's Step
| Husband" which is his latest play, was fount
to be Unsatisfactory after a trial of severa
weeks, II Is to be rewritten by the author, ~