Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-17
XMAS ON THE STAGE.
what THE DAY MEANS TO cHTT.
DREy OF THE rooTLIoHTs.
7HE LITTLE FOLKS ARE REMEMBERED
Richard MsnahcId Lays Aside Cy-
rane de Berserao for Awhile, and
Appears in his Old Roies--rhc Ri
Sou Biii.


A child is q child. the world over. an'
the children Of the stage look forward
10 Christmas quito as eagerly as DO tn'
young people who have never left tn
protection of the home fireside. These
little people who live In the atmosphere O
the STAGE do not know where they VII
be from one Christmas 10 another
whether, when the glad season again ap
proaches they will be In the warm CINE
az the South, or whether amid the deer
snows Of New England. or on the vino
swept prair,es OF the far West. IheFs
Is q wandering life. and the Christma'
King seldom comes TO them twice In thS
same locality. But tho genial saint wne
annually visits millions OF homes IN e'eiS
Christian land, does not forget the snal
troopers who may be said 10 have nv
home, but who go from place 10 place,
travelling at all hours OF the Gay anu
night.
Tho majority OF these children are ac-
oompanied by one or both OF theii
parents. so that every provision Is maze
Tor their happiness at q season OF the
wear WHICH DrAOHbS RNNN-S
young people. Their store Of gifts on
Christmas morn il usually quite as large
"a that OF other children. If chiid IS
Travelling with a theatrical company Or
say. a dozen or more people, this boy OF
e,rl does not lack for those gifts when
add SO much 10 a child's JOY and aHoru
40 great delight TO tse youthiul ieei-
pient. a.. .,o,
For II there is ever time when
the people OF the stage miss the
Ties OF home, It is when this festlVal
season is near at hand. and they mo
themselves with no familiar hresiue
around which TO gather. Oh all seasons
of tina wear. Christmas is one that Is
most celebrated within the nome: Anu
II nmong these men and women there is
"a heart young enough to enter into the
spirit OF Christmas-tide, as only chlio
can, then you may be sure that the most
IS made Of the opportunity TO contribute
10 its happiness. and thus witness the
enjoyment which the season brings 10
boys and girls. no matter In what circuin-
stances they may be placed.
Richard Mansfield has laid aside Cyrano
de Bergerac, and last week appeared at
the Garden Theatre New York, in Beau
Brummel. This is 10 be followed Dy
Prince Karl, a Partisan romance; Dr.
Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde. ond The First
Violin.
Mr.. Mansfield. however has not
"shelved" Cyrano de Bergerac, though
such an impression seems 10 prevail. lie
has simply put aside the nose and sword
of Cyrano in order that he may rest by
impersonating other roles which do not
TAX his powers to such an extent.
Cyrano is one OF the most eXhausting
roles ever written and acted. There are
in Mr.. Mansheld's part over llNW WORDS
lie is obliged to come to the theatre each
evening shortly after 6 o'clock, as ne
rings I'D the first curtain at l:i5. lie
changes his costume between every act
and does not leave the theatre TIL mid
night The emotional ana vocal demands
are as varied and exacting as the pres
sure on his endurance. Though ne taxes
the best care of himself, the great actor
feels the strain. Last season he closed
and rested three weeks in the height oil
his season. 1t was the wisdom Of the old
adage, that an ounce Of prevention is
worth a pound OF cure. He was able TO
finish his season with comparative ease.
This year again he feared serious conse-
ouence If he kept under the yoke OF Cy-
rano Rather than JeoDardze his
health he is resting himself by playing
some of the less fatiguing roles of his
reportoire. After his winter season in
New York he plays brief engagements in
Philadelphia. Baltimore, and washing
son, and then begins q tour OF the South
where CyranO de Bergerac has not yet
been seen. MIR. Mansfield feels that he
owes these plans some consideration, and
he will, therefore. keep himself well rest
ed and IN perfect health for this arduous
tour.
Manager Wells was called to New York
TO attend the meeting Of the baseball
magnates Monday and he was given time
TO personally book the talent for this
week. The bill promises 10 be one Of the
very best the patrons Of the house have
ever seen. The Streator Zouaves, who
present one Of the best novelty acts on
tho American stage. are the headliners.
The act has been a feature In the lead
ing theatres of America, and is one OF the
highest salaried that has ever been
brought here. The Zo0aves do fancy drill
ing and marvellous acrobatlc work.
and the company is composed OF a
dozen. or more. clever performers.
"Grasping an Opportunity" IL the name
OF d comedy sketch that will be one Of the
features of the bill. 1t will be presented
by win NJ Cressy and Miss Blanche
Dayne. who for a number Of years have
been, respectively, tho Cy Prime and
Rickety Ann, OF Denman Thompsohs
"Old Homestead but who went into
vaudeville lately, and have rapidly as
cended TO the top Of headiners I'm their
branch Of the profession. The comedy
sketch has boon well received. II is said
10 be original, and tells a funny story
of sporty old countryman and a city
girl.
Fred. Niblo, the prince Of Monolo-
gusts" comes back with new stories and
songs, that Will make him as popular
with the public as no was last season.
Mile. Flora, IN her comedy work and ar
tistic tight-wire walking performaice, will
be warmly received
The Coibys-nusicai artists, assisted
by the Colby children-need no introduce
tion.
Smith and Cook. "The Millionaires."
fun-furnishers and laugh-makers, have
en- original act that will certainly make
good" 10 use tho language OF the stage,
and Kennedy and Quarterlli will do their
part TO make everybody happy.
or all Affections 10 which man is heir.
Il is difficult TO imagine one that is harder
to bear with resignation than TO be COM
PEELED to so through the world IN dark
ness To hear familiar voices and feel
the touch OF gentle hands, yet never see
the faces OF those who thus mako their
presence known 10 feel the first warm
breezes of spring upOn ones cheek, and