The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-25
AT THE THEArER.
Lewis MOrrison's Admirable Produc-
ton of "FredericIx the Great"

-"iS -"oErAsoh admirable PrOuuc-
tion of Frederick the Great"
Mr.. Lewis Morrison. supported by an ex-
cellent company, presented Frederick the
Great" a four-act historical comedy
drama. last night to a large and fashion
able audience.
Lewis Morrison and 'Faust'' are names
that have become so linked together thar
they are almost inseparable and Nj. Nor
rison realized that it would take a strong
and original play to succeed Faust" He
was tmorous about experiments and the
holiness with which he presents "Freder-
lex the Great Is a tribute to his judy
inent and faith in himself. But "Freder-
lex Is not play that will live like
Faust." 1t is pleasing, entertaining and
! sometimes brilliant and strong, while the
character of the willy and democratic old
emperor fits Mr.. Morrison finely but il is
not another Faust" One of the things
about the play that strikes the audience
Is the present century up-to-date humor
mat hgures in scenes of more than a CEN
fury ago.
Some critics have claimed that Mr.. Nor
rison was an actor of only one part. His
| Faust was great, they said, but thai
was all. Even if this We're so Mr.. Morri-
sion would have done enough to reach
fame and entitled MIN to feel proud. But
the presentation of "Frederick" disproves
it. As the Prussian King he is vigorous
magnetic and finished. In the last act he
| does the prettiest and finest bit of acting
in The piece.
In the role of La Barbarina Miss Flor
ence Roberts is required to display very
widely different talents than those called
for in the character of Marguerite. She
has not so good role as in Faust" but
she iG 6pIiGbffTl M
was good Lieut.. HUDSON and Mr.. Henly
as Voltaire was natural
The staging of the play and the costumes
We're fine. The settings were elaborate
and contributed in no small way to the
successful presentation of the play.
Mr.. Morrison was recalled after the third
act and made a gracious little speech. He
has been coming to Savannah for the last
fifteen years. playing the devil" he said.
| He said he was particularly pleased that
| his new play had been SO well received
and hoped he would have the pleasure of
visiting Savannah for a good many years
10 come, besides saying many pleasant
| things about Savannah and its people,
William Gillette's comedy, Because
| She Loved Him So" which will be pre-
\ sented at the theater this afternoon and
tonight, is the first play this highly sue
| cessful author and actor has written since
Secret Service" Young married couples
| filed The Madison Square Theater, New
| York, all last season during the long run
| of Because She Loved Him So" Some
! couples were seen there more than a half
| dozen times The explanation of their
| many visits and their interest in the play
lies in the fact that il is built around a
| young married couple $ first quarrel-a
| rather bitter one-and the performance is
a striking object In that sort of thing.
| Some couples went there to see if the
mimic quarrel was anything like their
| own and were surprised when they found
| that it was MIR. Gillette's hero and
| heroine put up very life-like gepresenta-
ton of what the real domestic disturbance
is like when the husband and wife are
| both young and each head over heels in
| love with the other
| Washburn's Great Southern Minstrels
| are booked for Savannah next week, and
| will be seen at the theater Monday night.
| The Raleigh, N. c., News and Observer
recently spoke of this company as fol
! lows:
"Washburns Great Southern Minstrel
| Company was at the Academy of Music
last night. It is not too much to say that
1t was the best all round minstrel show
| Raleigh has had this season, and one of
! the best that has ever been here. From
| the opening overture to the last grotesque
| act OF the truly funny DIOiueIS t1lChHdAl
| there was not a song, a dance or joke
| that was not good. The orchestra was
| very fine, and the specialties were splen-
| cid There was a brightness and fresh
| ness about 1t all that lifted the perform
| ance out of the beaten path of ordinary
| minstrelsy and stamped it as new and
| original. If Washburn ever comes up this
pike again he'll find a crowded house
| awaiting him."
Madam Janauschek has not appeared in
Savannah for several years, but theater-
goers will welcome her tomorrow and
Saturday, when she win produce for the
first time in Savannah, her new version Of
| Meg Merrilies," an adaptation of Sir
Walter Scott's romance Guy Mannering p"
The play and company have met with un-
| usual success. Mr.. Hester, the adapter, has
| given her a strong play, full of bright and
| tuneful music The stage groupings and
settings are arranged by Janauschek her
self and are very artistic.
WILL IMPROVE THE BREED.
-T