Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-27
ADJUSTMENTS.

1t is seldom that the theater-going public
of any community is given the opportunity
of seeing such a triumvirate OF stars asso-
ciated together as Louis James, Kathryn
Kidder and Frederick Warde. II local
patrons of the playhouses realized this fact
fully, instead of only a fair sized house
every seat in Boyd's theater would have been
filled Wednesday night when these people,
together with q company of extraordinary
distinction, presented an elaborate revival
Of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's fve-act
comedy, 1.-THE School for Scandal" The
play, while old, is none the less interest
ing, especially with the leading roles in
such capable hands, and deals with the
doings of Lord and Lady Teazle and two
brothers, Joseph and Charles Surface. Lady
Teazle is the wife of a rich society man
of the last century. She is a girl in years,
her home was in the country, she had never
known luxury beyond one silk gown, yet
when she became Lady Teazle she accus-
toned herself to circumstances and rose to
the situation in a thoroughly adequate man
ner. She carries things with a high hand.
She demands attention from her antique
spouse and from the young beau, Joseph
Surface, as well. She squanders Lord
Teazle's fortune, she contradicts all of his
humors, they tiff a little going to church
and quarrel before the bells have done
ringing, but Sir Peter bears it because he
loves her and he loves her because she is
the most volatile, irresponsible, domineering,
winsome minXes in the world. He Is Jealous
or her without reason and young Joseph
Surface falls in love with her. She calls
at his apartments to tell him of her hus-
bands unreasonable disposition and Joseph
suggests that she cure him by giving him
reason for jealousy. Sir Peter arrives un-
eXpectedly and Lady Teazle is hidden be-
hind a screen. and is discovered later by
her husband and Joseph Surfaces brother.
This latter is one of the strongest scenes
in the play and gives each of the three
stars ample opportunity to display their
respective ability. Miss Kidder seems to
be fitted admirably with the role Of Lady
Teazle, there being the quality of nature,
the knowledge of human vanity, judgment
OF their victims patience and the instinct
of humor which demands the most delicate
art of a Coincidence OF Miss Kidder's type.
In the character OF Charles Surface. the
spendthrift young cub, Mr.. James versa
tility is displayed in a striking manner. His
comedy is extremely funny and he brings
out the fine points Of the part In a clear,
concise manner.
Mr.. Warde is cast in the more depictable
part of Joseph Surface, the real villain, and
while the audience despises the character, it
cannot overlook Mr.. Warde's clever hand
ling of 1t, nor fail to appreciate the fact
that he Is an artist in the first rank. To
make an audience despise a villain of the
joseph Surface type requires the ability pos
sessed by only such artists as Mr.. Warde.
The supporting company Is unusually strong,
which adds much to the production. The
scenery is elaborate, while the costumes are
one of the features of the play. THE School
for Scandal will be repeated at a special
matinee this afternoon, while the engage
ment will close with "Othello' tonight.