The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-24
PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

1t has been known for some time
that Francis Wilson is to have a new
opera this season founded upon Ed
mond Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac"
but the comedian has left people to
guess how he purposed to handle the
original story. Some have been so Sc
we're upon the Frenchman who wrote
it as to epress the opinion that the or
iginal drama as it stands would do very
well for a comic opera. The revised
book in the form in which Mr.. Wilson
has begun it's rehearsal at the Knick-
erbocker Theater, New York, came
from the workshop of Harry b. Smith.
The music has been supplied by Vic
tor Herbert. From what is known of
Mr.. Smiths genius it is probable he
has not been prevented by reverence
for the original from putting the ma
terial to such base uses as the eX-
igencies of comic opera demand. The
dueling scene in the first act has been
retained, because Mr.. Wilson has pride
in his ability as a swOrdsman, having
won the amateur American champion
ship in 1887 under the emblem of the
New York Athletic Club. So the first
act scene in the theater and the second
act scene in the bakery are likely to
be retained. Some departure from the
original has been made in the balcony
scene of the third act, and at the con-
clusion Cyrano will still be young and
bumptious, with a good prospect Of
marrying RoXane as soon as they can
command the services of a priest. There
is some difference of opinion as to
whether Mr. Wilson should build up
his nose with putty, as Mansfield did,
in order to obtain proboscis of suit
able size. However, most people are
inclined to think this unnecessary.
George G. Tyler, the executive head
of the theatrical firm of Lebler & Co.,
has completed an arrangement with
Marion Crawford to write a play for
Viola Allen to be produced in New
York in the fall of next year. Mr..
| Tyler went to Europe three weeks ago
and met Miss Allen and her mother,
Mrs. G. Leslie Allen, in London. These
| ladies accompanied Mr.. Tyler to Mr..
| Crawford's home. Santagnello, Sorren-
| to, near Naples, Italy, where the deal
was completed on Monday. Mr.. Tyler
| had been in correspondence with Mr.
| Crawford for six months in reference
| to this matter, and went to Europe eX-
| pressly to consummate the contract
! The play will probably be called "Ir
| Old Madrid" The locale of the story
will be in this Spanish city, time 1870
The drama will be founded on a new
story by Mr.. Crawford the publication
of which will be begun in serial form
| in MaCmillan's magazine in Londor
next January. At the same time Il
viii be printed in a prominent maga
zine in this country. This arrange
ment will result in substantial beneh
to both Mr.. Crawford and Miss Allen
the story creating pre-interest in tn,
coming play, the announcement of III
production in dramatic form also at
tracing special attention to the story
Models for the scenery which Jacol
Lift will use in his production o
The Ghetto" at the Broadway theater
New York City, early in October, ar
rived from England on Saturday
There are four acts in the play and tn
scenes are all aid in the Ghetto o
Amsterdam, Holland, where the action
takes place. The stage settings vii
be very picturesque and the compan!
which Mr., Lift has engaged is said t,
be one of the best that it is possible
to get together. The Ghetto" ha
been one of the dramatic sensations o
continental Europe for the past year
having run in a single theater 10
nearly 800 nights. The production a
the Broadway theater will be the frs
given of the play in America.
In Old Kentucky goes out this sea
son with n new and complete produc
tion. This popular play is now in il
seventh season and there are no sign
Of it's popularity waning. Demand
come from all over the country for tn
play The company will be kept up
the high standard that has alway
been maintained.
Shenandoah" the most famous {
all the war plays, goes out this seaso
with the complete production that wa
,