The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-06

Tuesday and Wednesday Denman
Thompson in THE Did Homestead"
Friday and S~aturday-4nc Brothers
Byrnc in The New Eight Bells
10 is seldom in these days when plays
arc written for special people and special
occasions that one has the privilege OF
seeing Cd really % good play. well mount
ed and equipped in The way Of actors and
scenic effects. Such ana opportunity will
Occur. however. ON next Tuesday ana
"Wednesday nights and Wednesday matt
nee. when Dcnman Thompson viii APP
pear for the FIRST time in this city. pre-
fcntinc his celebrated play, b Ola
Homestead Odd fhoatrc-gocrs accus-
toned Co the ordinary excellence Of plays
which come highly recommended by inc
critics ~ tho larger cities. will De pleas
antlv surprised az fhc "Old Homestead ~
il g. the most finished production of me
decade. The most careful attention has
been given by SIS author 60 the most
minute detail of stage craft. Dcnman
Thompson did not know how well ne
huilded when Boz gave to the world TINS
beautiful play. Hc aim 90 present a
rural comedy. faithfully portraying q
class fast becoming cxtiuct-a simply hon
est minded countrvmnn. 80 natural did
ho make his creation that the public rec
cognized the grandeur characterized IN
tho swansea farmer and paid 1t tribute
81 greatness. The company is the strong
est that has ever enacted this rretty idyl
Of New England life. It's musical fea-
lures add greatly to its charm.
EIGHT BELLS
Lovers Of music. pantomime and scenic
effects viii have a treat in the produc-
ton % Eight Bells. which will open at
the Academy next Friday night for three
Performance. Including "a matinee ON
Saturday. This species Of entertainment
especially the trick property part OF IT,
has an abiding hold upon the theatre
gocrs Of hieh and low degree and helps
TO prove the assertion that We are all
children when the appropriate moment
comes round. Eight Bells in it- re-
iuvenated SKATE. IS one OF the funniest
works Of it's class. and barring "a slight
tendency TO give the susceptible specta-
tor an attack of seasickucss. is thorough
is ENJOYABLE.
The play is certainly inclusive erou"h
in tho variety Of amusement 81 offers in
the course q am e%vening. II contains a
burles0uc. a farce comedy. a musical
onedy. n pant0mime ana a spectacular
production. All the former successes IN
che way ~ tricks will Doe reDeafed and
many new things will be given In addi-
zion. The great revolving shin scene. the
trick wagon. the husflinE octopus. the
funny pranks Of the student statues. the
weird trunks and doors and chairs are
among the novelties.
The Bvrnc Brothers are wonderfully
agile % clever pautomimists. John f..
Bvrne is the inventor of the mechanical
effects which are trulv marvellous. and
ne IS also the author of the lines. All Of
tho brothers are agile acrobats that would
do crdlt To amy circus. IL is not hard 10
conceive TINT such people associated to-
rether could keen things quite lively. ana
that is just what they do.
Manager Leath. OF the Academy or
Music. has recently booked Francis VIII
son md his opera company for two nights
in the latter part of April. He will ap-
pear in Half q King and, perhaps. The
Chicftain."