The times., 1899-01-15
PLENTY OF new PLAYS
"Zaza'' and ~ Romance of
AthlOne'' Done in Gotham.
BOTH WORKS SUCCESSES
Nancy sykes Does Not like "The
rinagant" - "That MAN. to He
Exhibited mt the Herald Square
"On and on and Della Fox Leave
New York-Notcs.

New York, Jan. 11.-Not hole or cor
ner of the Fourteenth Street Theatre was
left vacant on last Monday night when
Chauncey Olcott began his local engage
ment and presented for the first time in
this city an Irish drama called "A Ro-
nance of Athlone." The new play is in
four acts and as many scenes. 1t tells an
interesting story of life near Athione in
1900. and is much better piece than any
in which this favorite has ever before ap-
peared. AS the title indicates, the effort
is filled to the brim with picturesque
scenes and incidents. The part of Dick
Ronyane, the hero. is a strong one, and
calls for good work from start to finish.
Mr.. Oicott did it in good shape-in fact so
well that the audience honored him with
at least dozen enthusiastic curtain calls
He has composed several new ballads for
the entertainment, and every one OF
them was encored over and over
again. In the last act the star is
seen in duel with swords
something new for him. 1t is a realistic
battle and decidedly exciting. OF course.
the villain is vanquished and in the end
the hero gets the girl he loves. | never
saw OICCtl 10 better advantage he
looked handsome in his new costumes
acted with spirit and intelligence and sang
as only he can sing Manager Pitou has
given the vehicle an uncommonly elab-
crate production, the settings and cos
tunes being as fine as anything ever
shown on the local stage. In one scene of
the play there is a strikingly beautiful
tableau, which serves to introduce Mr. Oh
colts drinking song. Well Drown II in
aclu
barcnial hall filled with a jolly company
A punch basin is brought in for the good
night cup" One of the ladies lights the
cheering fluid, and as the blue and yellow
flame wreathes the bowl and the aroma
fills the air Mr.. Olcott sings his tunefuI
ditty. The comedians engagement is for
an indefinite period. and | think the ad-
vent OF warm weather will find "A Ro-
nance OF Athlone" still running at this
theatre.
the long-talked-of and far-famed
'Zaza' was presented at the Garrick
on Monday night, and proved to be
triumph for Mrs. Leslie Carter and David
Belasco. The offering promises to be the
theatrical sensation of the year. and there
is no telling how long it will remain here.
The story of the play is simple ana we'll
known TO you in Washington. We in New
York think the work full of dramatic in
terest. Mrs. Carter must be credited
with one of the strongest pieces OF acting
seen here in q long time From first to
last her impersonation of the title role
Is powerful and convincing The sup
porting company includes Charles A.
Stevenson, Albert Bruning, Mark Smith,
Hugo Toland. Marie Bates, Anne Suther-
land, and Helen Tracy.
Olga Nethersole is the present attrac-
tion at Wallack's. where she is appearing
in The Termagant." The scenes OF the
tragedy-for such it is-are laid in Spain
in the year 1893. Immediately after the
discovery of America by Columbus. The
heroine is Beatrix, Princess OF Moya,
called the termagant" because of her
whimsical disposition. At heart she is
maid of deep affection and intense emo
tions; but the mockery of court life bores
her. l don't care particularly for the
thing. 1t is too artificial, and all OF the
incidents are exceedingly unreal. How
ever, it is drawing good-sized audiences
an evidence that some people are interest
ed in it. There is one thing for which /
am thankful-Olga does not infict on US
that wonderful kiss made so famous in
song and story.
Nine. Sans Gene" is in its second
week at Days In some respects. the
play is excellently acted, but Miss Rehan
is not satisfying. She evidently dislikes
It.
She is not half so good in it as was
Kathryn Kidder. and gives what an actor
friend of mine calls Il sloppy weather.
impersonation. The piece is handsomely
mounted, the costumes and scenery being
adequate and historically correct.
At the Lyceum 'Trelawney of the
Wells continues TO draw large houses.
and will probably run some time longer.
although The Sewers dramatization
rehearsal and will be put on at extra
matinees.
\ new version of La Belle Helene" is
on view at the Casino. The music OF Of
fenbaeh is retained, but the libretto has
been worked over and modernized by Louis
Harrison. who has introduced some clever
jokes and jingling lyrics. The perform
ance is given by what is now called the
George ". Lederer Comic Opera Stock
Company, which is headed by Lillian Rus
sell, John E. Henshaw, J. c. Miron. Thorn
as Q. Seabrooke, Edna Wallace and other
capable people. The performance is most
creditable one from an artistic standpoint
Miss Russelrs long rest has evidently ben-
Gifted her voice, which is as clear as erys-
tai and as tuneful as it was 4 decade ago.
Edna Wallace can't sing, but she can look
pretty-and does. Messrs. Seabrooke and
Henshaw furnish the comedy element in
their usual way and succeed in getting all
the laughs set down in the prompt book.
''On and on goes of the stage Of the
Madison Square Theatre after the perform
ance of Saturday night. IL is one Of the
funniest farces seen here in a long time.
and is. OF course. 4 success. The succeed
ing attraction will be another French
work called Because She Loved Him So
which comes TO us with 4 Boston and
Washington Endorsement
The Sorrows of Satan has ended its
run at the Broadway Theatre and Will be
followed by Francis Wilson in The Little
Corporal" Mr.. Wilson's engagement is
for q fortnight. at the end of which time
comes DeKoven and Smiths The Three
Dragons" which is expected 10 stay the
season out. Manager Mccormick says that
hereafter the Broadway will be devoted 10
comic opera exclusively.
Della Fox closes at the Herald Square
on Saturday night, and next Monday Mrs
A. NJ Palmer. the spouse of the we'll
known manager. will present farce by
Man 1t is TO be hoped that the lady
will make n success of her venture in the
theatrical field.
Nat Goodwin and Maxine Elliott have
made a hit in Nathan Hale" and the
Knickerbocker Theatre is holding large
audiences nightly. IL is not likely that
any other play will be presented during
their engagement. Mr. Goodwin has tinal-
" reached the pinnacle of his ambition
success in n serious role.
Having finished his contract with Joseph
jefferson, that able actor, Otis Skinner, is