The times., 1898-10-23

did not fit. This was surpassed only once
when a character known as Maud
tickled some fellow under the china
proceeding followed by sighs of horror
from every woman in the house when
London Sleeps" is, not to put it too
strongly, merely a miserable fake and the
crowds that have witnessed it by this
time should have found that out.
The most sensible person in the Acade
my last Wednesday was a baby in tha
gallery who kept sobbing industriously
all through the first three acts and call
ing at the top of its voice. Il want to 90
home"
A notable thing is in the observation
that the greater part of the houses at
tracted last week TO Manager RapIey's
theaters through morbid curiosity and a.
desire for sensationalism were composed
OF women The most fashionable and
pretentious ladies in town were apparent
~ the most anxious for the promised sem
sauons- This was also true when Char
mion was here. Evidently. having been
denied the variety houses, the gentle sex
intends to make up for its loss by get
ting everything of the sort it can from
the first-class theaters.
The field of local dramatics has been
enlivened during the past week by the
keen competition of two prime favorites
in the line of comic opera. These people.
Jefferson de Angels and Della Fox. hays
been booked for the same date in this
city. each heading his or her own organ
ization, and each in the apparent nos
session of an unusually attractive enter-
tainment. so that the struggle was inev-
liable. In summing up its result. how
ever the advantage can be given to
neither OF the pair. and the only hope
that can fairly be expressed is one to the
effect that both stars do all the business.
they deserve. The probability Is that
both will deserve a great deal.
Mr.. de Angels is comedian of the
very first order. His methods have al
ways been thoroughly legitimate and his
mannerisms SO dron that one simply
could not resist laughing at him. Furth-
er than this, all the stars work is INTEL
hgent and refined-two things rare in
the stage humor of the day-and his ex-
perience entities him to be placed n,
par with men Ike Frank Daniels M
Wolf Hopper and Francis Wilson. T,
whatever circumstances. or frbtine
against whatever odds. Mr.. de AngeIi,
mas always been a conscientious and
hard-working fellow. who has done bis
best to be worthy of the success he ha,
achieved.
While with the Casino forces in IN.
support of Della Fox. as star with "Tba
Cahph, and as one of the tr.umyirate
presenting THE Wedding Day." the
comedian has always labored hard to
merit popularity. His present Offering in
apparently the best thing he has ever
had. and Mr.. de Angels should prosrer
accordingly.
No less clever and no less able is Della
Fox, the second of the competitors. Miss
Fox is petite and graceful. unique In her
methods and artistic in the detail of her
performances. During many years cf
stage work she has always offered what
was undoubtedly her best. and that has
generally been very good Moreover.
Miss Fox is extremely pretty ani withal
decidedly dainty and magnetic. lite
parsonage '"The Little Host" her new
piece has already attained consider
able degree of success in the smaller
cities of the country and should prove to
be possessed OF distinctive merit. The
role with which she has been fitted
seems to have pleased the critics i'm
mensely. and. altogether, the comedi-
enne's chances OF success never appeared
brighter than at present Miss Fox's
record in Wang THE Little Trooper
and ''Fleur de Lis is too well known to
require repetition.
Both of the stars have supporting COM
panies of remarkable strength. vehices
that should prove thoroughly enjoyable