Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-14
RUSSELL AS HON. JOHN GRIGsBY.
The Talented Comedian Makes n
Great Hit I'm His New Play.

Mr.. Sol. Smith Russell appeared at the
Academy last night before a large and
fashionable audience, in his latest charac-
terization, "Hon. John Grigsby." that be-
ing the title role of Charles Klein's three
act comedy, which was written for the
eminent comedian the early part OF this
season. John Grigsby" is slow-gong,
matter-of-fact Illinois lawyer, whose
practice, for the most part, has been con-
fined to cases which paid him a no more
substantial fee than the thanks of his
humble clients. The role admirably suits
the peculiar methods of Mr.. Russell, and
ne is perfectly at home in the part. The
comedy relies for it's success upon the
portrayal of the quaint characters that
make up it's cast, and the picturing. in
the most natural manner, of those COM
monplace scenes which happen every day
IT, the office Of lawyer such as is iona
Grissby. The audience is taken among
the musty law-books and legal documents.
which surround the easy-going John, ana
his good-natured, laundering clerk, and
Is allowed TO make the acquaintance Of
such oddities as Chanler, the wooden
legged vet" OF the war of 1872; the
his thirty years experience" 1t is a
piece that carries with it an atmosphere
suggestive Of the quiet life of an illinois
v.hage in the year 1850, and depends upon
this more than on an absorbing plot, and
brisk dramatic action.
Mr. Russell is ably supported by his
company-Messrs. William Sampson.
James Lackaye, Alfred Hudson, Jacques
Martin. Lionel Barrymore. Wilim,a
Farnum, and William Cullington, all
giving clever representations. Miss Flor
ence Rockwell. as Meg Ronalds, the per-
secuted schoolmistress, was sympathetic,
while Miss Fannie Pitt, as Mrs. Marsen,
did a clever bit Of character work.
Miss Lila Convere made a most charm
ing Nellie ogden. Miss Convere is one
of North Cardinals fairest daughters, and
though her pretty face looked out from
eneath a quaint hat Of a style OF a half
century ago, yet IL could not hide the
beauty that graced this charming southern
girl When she made her first entrance,
she was quite warmly greeted. Miss Con-
we're is a daughter Of Colonel Hamilton
c. Jones, who is one OF the most distin-
guished lawyers OF North Carolina, and
whose home is in Charlotte. She IS The
granddaughter of Hamilton c. Jones. also
of the Old North State, and who was a
noted wit and humorist. and the author
Of the famous Cousin Sally billiard"
The annual engagement or the popular
Liliputians begins at the Academy OF
Music tonight. and continues with matt
nee and night performances tomorrow
They will present their new spectacular
play, THE Golden Horseshoe" which as
to brilliancy surpasses all their former
plays by far. The piece contains num-
Der OF startling novelties and mechanical
surprises and the three grand ballots al
the close OF the acts are considered the
most original and beautiful ever seen upon
the American stage. All OF the origina
midgets are in the production. and they
will this season speak English instead OF
German.
The epoch or vaudeville IN this city will
be reached on Christmas-Day when Kos
ter az Bial's famous company headed By
Mason Mitchell, the Rough Rider. with
an illustrated account OF the war of 1895
Berte Coote and Julie Kingsley, Richard
Harlow, William 7. Carleton, Lilliar
Green. and William Friend. and MAY
Mooney, besides a number of star vaude.
vile recruits. comes TO the Academy OF
Music for a brief engagement OF three
performances. including matinee on