The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-01
RICHMOND ADJUSTMENTS.
MANY FORMS OFIN-DOOR AND OUT
DOOR PLEASURES OFFERED.
TheatricaIs, Vaudeville, Concerts, Base
Ball, Football, and Various Kinds
ofSports to Attract People.

What amusement advantages has
Richmond" Is often asked by persons
who visit the Queen City. of the South
Many is a terse and weight carrying
answer. out of the more than 10000 in
habitants IN the city Of Richmond it can
be readily said that there is an amuse-
ment loving contigent of from eight to
tan thousand. Their ideas of pleasure
seeking are varied. Some prefer the legi-
innate drama, others, and they are The
predominating class, like to be amused
by farce comedies, and extravaganzas,
thus displaying their preference for spec
ialtles and the lightest forms OF attrac-
tons with which the stage OF to-day is so
crowded.
The opera claims many followers ,espec-
tally comic operas such as DeWolf Hop
per, Francis Wilson. Della Fox and others
produce. while baseball during the sum-
! mer can claim the consolidated ranks OF
the admirers of all other amusements
Strange to say the least INDUCED in
pastime In this city Is aquatic sports.
James river affords unbounded range
for boating. swimming and fishing, but
with the exception OF the Virginia Boat
| Club the tempting sports are sought after
/ by only few who angle for the delicious
pan fish that abound in the stream.
NEEDS A THEATRE.
Richmond lacks a thoroughly modern
theatre one equipped with all the con-
venlences and appliances to handle the
large attractions that are now touring
| this country.
| When the Academy Of Music was built
] the architect neglected to make the stage
| large enough to successfully operate
| drop curtains or heavy stand scenery.
! As consequence. many companies VINO
carry their own scenery are obliged 70
, use the house scenery.
A strictly first-class vaudeville theatre,
II is thought, would be great addition
| 10 the city, and paying investment TO
/ those who would venture to build II.
! The vaudeville is the thing nowadays
| and many experienced managers say IL Is
! come 20 stay. While the public is nckle,
ana Liable IN change It's taste. there will
be enough faithful patrons OF the yarletles
Ief, ~ make the business profitable
Manager Thomas G.. Leath. OF the
Academy of Music. has during the past
Eve wears of his management OF the play
house. brought 20 this city all or the
| standard attractions that visit the
PROVINCES. ~. 49,
! Richmond has been favored with the
.nneararce here of Sarah Bernhard. Sir
| Henry Irving, and other notable stage
nersonages. while cities OF larger popu-
| lation have yet 10 greet them.
, The season had bid fair to he the most
artistic one in the career or Ny hed'l, - r
! r,anagemont. but the yellow fever scare
| through the South caused nearly All OF
the earlier attractions 10 cancel their
| engagements. or postpone them till later
I'm the season. 1t recessitated the BOOK
ing OF some inferior companies that would
not have otherwise appeared. Now mat
the fever il at an end, the run OF attrac-
! tions will be first-cass, and include some
! notable stars and heavy productions.
CONCERT FEATURES.
The Young Mems Christian Association
| has introduced an entertainment
feature. among their many other
delightful allurements TO young
| mon. in the star Course, that has taken
strong hold upon the public and the
concert hall OF the association buiIdlns -
| always crowded upon the occasion or one
~ the concerts. Remenyl the celebrated
| vioilnist fuaugnrated this season, and ne
has been followed by ZONE OF the best
entertainers upon the lyceum stage.
The hall IS neatly finished and fur
nished with comfortable opera chairs.
| The stage although small is " ell equipped,
and oommodiOus enough for concerts.
Corcoran Hall, the Mecca OF amateur
amusements, on Church Hin. Is easily
reached by residents OF the West-End
over the lines OF the Traction and city
Railway CONT anes. il is often the scene
OF brilliant theatrical affairs, and from It's
stage have come forth amateurs who have
won from the outside world recognition
as professionals.
The vaudeville fever In this city was
raised 20 its height last summer by the
splendid performances given at Forest
HUI and Electric Parks by the street car
! companies. The performances were al
WAYS attractive. novel. and Of strictly
moral standard. No more pleasant way
OF spending an evening could be had than
that of the delightful ride across country
on the cars OF the City Railway TO For
| est Hill Park and witness the vaudeville
performances upon. the stage so prettily
nestled In the picturesque hills OF the
park.
Electric Park near the terminus OF the
Traction line was more speedily reached
but the fine car service and equipped cars
! OF the cOmpany made it a merry Jaunt,
20 visit the resort
Next summer, from present indications.
both parks will be again in operation.
! Many improvements are 20 be made at
Forest Hill and likewise at Electric Park.
Both companies are claiming that theirs
will be the ideal pleasure resort and II
] only remains now TO see which will really