The times., 1898-01-30

to depose the prince, and country be-
ing forced into war with it's neighborS.
Now, King George of Greece, is about
as careless a ruler as could be found,
and his wife, the Princess Olga, is prob
ably the most unpopular woman in
Southern Europe. The war between
Greece and Turkey was forced upon the
King by the will of the Greek populace,
headed by Premier Ralli. who. accord
ing to telegraphic advices received from
London, was, with his colleagues in the
cabinet, implicated in a plot to over
throw the government. Another coin
cidence is found in the recent duel be-
tween the Due D'Ofleans and the
Count of Turin, who fought on account
of some letters written by the former
criticiSing the methods of the Italian
government in Africa. In the play, as
in Steyenson's story. there is an Eng
liSh traveller who records the vices and
weaknesses of the court of Kronfeld,
and for this the Prince Rudolph chal-
lenges him to duel. The Englishman
makes the same excuse as that made
by the Due DOrleans, that a traveller
has right to record whatever he sees.
All of which goes to prove that dram
atists and novelists know a great deal
about human nature.
something rather amusing happened
during Otis SINNERS recent engage
ment in New Orleans; at least it was
amusing to every one but the manager,
Mr.. Buckley, and Buckley put in de-
cidedly unpleasant quarter of an hour.
Mr.. Skinner does not as a rule play
Wednesday matinees, and the usual
hour for matinee performances IN all
of the great cities is about go In
New Orleans, however, they manage
these things differently. and the matt
nees happen anywhere from noon TO
o'clock Mr. Skinner had Wednes-
day matinee advertised during his en-
gagement, and the curtain was sched-
uled to go up at one. This made it nee
essary for him to be at the theater by
half past IL. The time arrived; no
Mr.. Skinner Mr.. Buckley began to
be nervous He sent messenger to
the hotel; no Mr.. Skinner. Then Buck
ley remembered that he had heard his
star say something about breakfast at
noted market restaurant, and mes
senger was sent in hot haste to try to
find him there. BY this time it was
nearly time for the performance TO be-
gin Mr.. Buckley felt his hair turn
ing gray every moment He began TO
consider calling the performance of
and giving the people their money. Just
then Mr.. Skinner and his charming
wife came saUntering into the front of
the house. Buckley took just time
enough to tell his star that he thought
he might be a little more considerate,
and then explained the situation 1t
took Mr. Skinner but a moment to take
it all in. and then he made rush for
his dressing room. and made up and
got on the stage quicker than he ever
did before in his life. His dresser said
he had never seen clothes pulled OF
and on quite so fast Mr.. Skinner said
afterward that he did not forget the
matinee but the change in time had
slipped his mind. and Buckley says
that in the future wren Mr. Skinner
plays matinees in New Orleans, he in
tends to keep him in view until he is
safely landed in the theater. Mr.. Buck
ley has a regard for his nerves.
Mr.. Hoyt's new skit, "A Stranger in
New York" has been played 10 very
fair audiences during the past week,
but nothing near as large as 1T deserV-
ed. Mr.. Hoyt is a well-known play
writer, and certain proportion OF the
atergoers know very well what they
are likely TO get when advised of the
coming of one of his productions, but
he is not yet potent enough to carry a
play to the dizzy heights OF success.
because he is announced simply as its
author Much depends on the people
who present it, for HOyts device must
pass the spectator at rapid speed
from start to finish, or ii is likely to
be voted dull.
"A Stranger in New York is built
on the same plan as "A Trip to China
town. 1t is as sister play, so to
speak-same lines, same breadth of
beam, same curve and sweep, and
needs the same yerve or dash in its
representation that made the last
named so great and long continued
success.
While the part assigned to Miss Sa-
die Martinot was far below her deserts,
she made so much of it. without being
in the least obtrusive. that nothing like
a failure was possible. 1t is because
it was not a record breaker, as it was
in New York for eight weeks. that
causes surprise. Well staged. beauti-
fully dressed, full of variety and taking
incidents, and with such a cast as it
had, the Lafayette ought to have been
packed every evening.
Mr. -Conor was as sprightly as ever
and while Gilfoil had successfully dis
gused himself as a burnt-Out sport,
there was no decadence in his business.
His limitations were entirely new, but
clever to a degree. The part. however,
which lifted the play out of the COM
monplace was that assigned to Miss
Martinot. 1t was played in a fine COM
edy vein, and was dainty and finished
throughout. To say that her gowns
were perfect is TO repeat the observa-
tion of all good judges, and while too
much stress need not be laid upon such
a feature in describing a comedy, there
can be no question that it goes a long
way toward building up a favorable
opinion.