Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-07
81, VIRGINIA COURTsHIP."
Mr.. Crane Delighted "A Briiii""t ANU
fence mt the Academy Last Nigh'.

"a Virginia Courtship." presented at
the Academy last night by Mr.. Whhaih
II. Crane and his admirable company pe-
fore one OF the largest and most iash-
ionable audiences of the season, proved
a DELIGHTFUL romantic comedy, and snow
Cd the distinguished actor in a role some
what different from any OF those with
which ne has heretofore been associated.
THAI the brilliant audience found Mr..
crana in = character which afforded him
amnle opportunity to appeal to their
sense OF humor was evidenced by the
hearty manner in which the production
was received and the frequent laughter
which was caused. Major Richard Fair
fax. as portrayed by Mr.. Crane, Is a me
ola VIRGINIA gentleman, impulsiye to a
degree and with a temper that often gets
the better OF him, but who Is the very
soul of honor and as gallant as any
knight OF old. His work IS nearly az ~
a light vein, with littie SpppVnv emotion
which would call forth patnos, such .
the comedian did In "Brotner JOhn,
though there Is one scene thal p0i'e
on it. tab Neville the
Nator's adopted son, has a ~thanklesS
nart hut he was very clever In IL, anu
did not approach too near tne nAuaH The
would have placed him along NIL ~ "
conventiona stage villain or heaSy.
Waiter Hale played Captain rom ram
fax. the young lover, with suillclcn. "
vor and the other male parts Were a
canabIe hands, Miss Olive OllVer, a.
Madame Constance Robert, a very s.JId-
i~ooLino widow. who exercised consul
erobla tact in throwing herself az the
Major was altogether charming, anu "a
Prudence of Miss Percy HasweIi was u
clever bit of work, In when o,rlisb
nicely combined womaIis smanded The
minor roles were satisfactorily s1staineu
hv Misses Kate Lester, Frances Stc'vn9,
md LILA Bronson. No production tnat
has been seen here this season nd o
better mounted than that or last nisnu,
oe..et W. md ~ the second act Mr.. Crane
was called before the curtain, ana III re-
snondine he took occasion, aiter INC s9uai
remarks expressing appreclatloh VI na
reception, to state that hIchho q erovving
and enterprising city should nave one.
His remarks on this subject seemed 10
touch a responsive chord among the eh-
tire audience. ~ .roso,. bta
latest successful comedy, THE Head OF
the Family" Mr.. Crane has a very con,
Genial role in that OF a mlld-mannered
professor. devoted TO his books ana now
ers and ruled by his WE ana uausn amiiy;
through his wife's foolish rearing OF me
girls and interfering with their married
NE. Then ne asserts his authority, pc
nomes the head Of the family, and every
thing ends happily.
In connection with Mr.. cranes engage,
ment here an amusing incident happened
an the box office yesterday morning whle
the sale OF tickets was under way, n
Yang man approached Manager Leath.
and. In a conhding manner. informed him
that he desired TO bring a young lady TO
the evening performance, put tnat she
~ The entertainments she attended, and
ba would consider it a favor II the man.
ager would inform him whether. Mr.
Crane wore tights or not. Mr.. Leath
answered with a decided negative;
the Young man bought a couple or tickets
and went away happy.