Evening star., 1898-08-06
American Invasion Not as Formidable
as Expected.
HOYT'S MELANCHOLY EXPERIENCE
Frohman Controls Two and Partly
Owns a Third Theater.
G ILLETTE AND DOYLE
Correspondence of the Associated Press.)

LONDON, July 26.-The American dra-
matte invasion of London closed for the
season when the curtain fell Sue at
the Garrick Theater tonight. Taken alto
gether. the invasion has not proven SO
formidable an onslaught upon the native
drama as local managers feared. The play
houses of the English actor-managers, Ir-
wing, Tree, Alexander, Wyndham and Hare,
maintain their old-time pre-eminence in
the affections of the public.
So far as concerns the legitimate plays
imported from America they have furnish
ed each month or two of interesting
amusement and been shelved. This years
experiences have taught the American man
ayers that English tastes cannot be solved
by any fixed rules, for the conspicuous
American success THE Belle of New
York. and the equally conspicuous Amer
lean failure, "A Stranger in New York,
were much on the same order of entertain
ment
Charles Hoyt's London trip proved the
most melancholy experience which has be-
fallen him since his early attempts to float
melodrama in Boston. Such a vigorous
and unanimous condemnation the critics
visited upon him has seldom been gained
here. Talented actors who carried the skit
suffered narrowing fortnight, for, strug-
gle as they would to arouse the English to
laughter, Hoyt's American humor seemed
to inspire only solemnity and amazement.
Annie RusseII's Success.
Annie Russell has succeeded In installing
herself quite firmly in the esteem of the
English public, though the medium of her
appearance was not a fortunate one. The
Daily Mail comments: Sue was not a
great play, but Sue herself was greatly
played"
And all the papers call for Miss Russelrs
return next year. Charles Frohman prom
ises to crafty their desire
Mr.. FrOhman has now a controlling in
terest in two London theaters, the Gar
rick and the Duke of Yorks, and a part
interest in the Adelphi the home of melo-
drama so long held by William Terriss.
Great hopes are builded on William Gil
lette'S impersonation of Sherlock Holmes
the detective, for the character seems eX-
actly suited to Gillettes imperturba bilfty
and he and DR.. A. Conan Doyle are now
engaged upon the dramatiZation, which
will be produced first in America next fall
The Heart of Maryland also suffered
by comparison with Londons first taste of
American war drama, and its success was
also only moderate, the critics finding Mrs.
Leslie Carter's acting more to their fancy
than Mr.. Belasco's stagecraft.
For the Duke of York's Theater Frohman
has engaged an English stock company
play Anthony Hopes Adventures of Lady
Ursula"
New Plays.
The fall season at the Adelphi will be
opened by melodrama The Gipsy King"
from the pen of George r. Sims, with Julia
Nelson and Fred Terry in the leading
parts.
Mr.. Alexander has found his new play,
The Ambassador" by Mrs. Craigie John
ol1yer Hobbes), such card that he will
continue 1t next season, and is equipping
second company for the provinces -7-- IN
Considerable unfavOrabe comment has
been provoked among Americans in I,on--
don from the fact that Mrs Craigie, her
self an American has introduced into the
play for its low comedy element a family
of illtterate, pushful Americans, whose par
tcipation is quite unnecessary to the story
and 1t is said that the offending passages
will be eliminated before the play goes to
the United State
The long standing alliance of Mrs. James
Brown Potter and kyrle Bellew Is to be
broken, at least temporarily. Mrs Potter
has been engaged by Beerbohm Tree as
leading lady to play 'Miladi' in his YER
sion of THE Three Musketeers" next fall
Mr. Bellew becomes leading man with
Charles Wyndham for new play by Louis
n. Parker and Murray Carson, the authors
of Rosemary.
Olga Nethersole will tour the United
States under the management of Marcus r.
magant." by Mr.. Parker. She will also
have new play by Max O'ReH. yet un-
named; another to be called THE Mutiny,"
and will present Ibsens Dolls House"
Americans Abroad.
England is swarming with American
stage folk this month, some of them enjoy
ing holidays. others pursuing their studies.
Viola Allen, who has secured the American
rights of Hall Gaines THE Christian" is
spending month at the novelfst's castle
in the Isle Of Man. Mr.. Caine is preparing
two versions of the book for the stage, the
character of Gloria being the leading one
in Miss Aliens version, while the other
version, which is under way for Wilson
Barrett will give the center of the stage
to John Storm.
James H. Hackett and his wife are here
making the rounds of the theaters for the
purposes of observation.
Nat Goodwin is enjoying life at his hand
some country place just outside of London,
and John Drew is entertaining his COM
patriots at his summer place on the
Thames.
William Fl. Crane is resting in London.
Thomas e. Murray, the American COM
edian, is to star with Lottie Collins in a
musical sketch called The White Black
bird" Sydney Drew has finished an ex-
tended season as star in the comedy My
Innocent Boy
The opera season also closed tonight with
a record of thirty-two performances of
Wagner cut Of a total of siXty-seven
nights Fourteen of these were consumed
played seven times Tristan" and "Meis-
tersinger' each four times and "Tannhau-
SER three. There is already demand for
a repetition of the Ring next season.
NOrdica's Reappearance.
The brunt of the important work has
been borne by the De Reszkes, Emma
Games and Lillian Nordica. Melba and
Calve have each sung three or four times
in their old roles.
Madame Nordica's temperance in Lon
don opera in the most important role of
BIunhilde in the Ring" has established
her in the fore front of Wagnerian inter-
prefers. She also sang Elsa in "Lohen-
grim" Donna Anna in Giovanni" Brun-
hide in the Ring" and Suzanne in "Fi-
Saro. she has signed a contract with
Maurice Grau for sixty appearances in the
United States next season, and has prom
ised Frau Wagner to sing Eva in the ''Meis-
tersinger" at Bayreuth next year
Suzanne Adams, young American from
the Paris opera, who goes to New York
next year, has received nothing but ap-
proving criticism in London.
the failure of Jean De Reszke to sing on
three occasions, because of indisposition,
has revived the perennial rumors OF a fail