The record-union., 1899-05-14

One of the things that most strikes
one who compares the ancient theater
and even the theater of few years
ago, with the modern theater, is the
enormous difference in the character OF
the personages, and particularly the
curious frequency of insane as prlnc1-
pal personages in the modern theater
We have come to such a point that enc
may be almost sure that in reading over
"a new play by Ibsen, for example, lie
will find three or four insane person
ages in it, if the characters are not al
SO. These madmen have characteristics
so particularized as to seem as If they
might have been depicted by an alien
list. If the protogenists are not mad
they are agitated by such violent and
strange passions as the ordinary world
never meets in life; which it therefore
refuses to accept when they are de-
scribed in a scientific book, but never
theless receives them when it sees them
in the scenes or meets them in the TO-
mances of the great modern novelists
Ibsen, for example. has made a most
exact picture of the progressive general
paralysis which arises. precisely as he
mental activity, who have wasted their
hereditary power in pleasures or eX-
cessive work, and there is in them
both impulsiveness and want of will
power, complete perversion of all the
instincts and mental confusion, alter
mating here and there with genial
fiashes.-Insane Characters in Fiction
and the Drama, by Cesare Lombroso
in Popular Science Monthly
San Francisco Music and Drama
David Belasco has a new American play
which has been completed for some
time, but the immense success of Mrs
Carter in '"Zaza," following that of the
same talented actress in THE Heart
of Maryland has delayed its produc-
ton until next season. Nat Goodwin s
new play by Clyde Fitch is entitled
The Cowboy and the Lady" and it
will be presented at the KnickerbockeI
in New York early next season. Mr.
Fitch has written 1.-The Courtsnip Of
Barbara Fritchie" for Julia Marlowe
who has contracted to present it with
in a certain time. Charles Frohman
among other new plays for next sea
son will have a melodrama by Charles
Klein, a comedy by Henry Guy Carrie
ton and a Sherlock Holmes detective
drama by William Gillette. Augustus
Thomas will try it again for Stuart
Robson and Brander Mathews will
write something for William H. Crane
Meanwhile there are several novelties
coming before the present season closes
in New York. AN Arabian Girl "His
Exeellency the Governor and Mother
Goose; the first of this trio is no more
nor less than Henderson's "Ali Bahia. .
according to those who have reason to
know.
Clever Dorothy Usner made a stand
for an increase of salary to go to Lon
won with the why Smith Left Home
company. Manager Broadhurst object
ed, of course, but after vainly trying
to engage somebody else, came to Dor
cthy's terms. Miss Usher has been of
fered an excellent salary to star in a
play called THE Advertising Wonder, ~
the heroine of which IS a girl who never
talks about anybody-but herself
Manager T. Daniel Frawley and tn.
local management of the Columbia
Theater in Washington have a move
scheme for increasing the patronage a
that house. They announce that tn,
person holding the largest number O.
coupons for orchestra seats from tht
beginning of the season up to June Is
Will be given round trip ticket t
London and Paris with expenses for
weeks stay in each city. Mr.. F'rawley
is authority for the statement that tn.
have -,
since this coupon system was adopted
The Robert Grau Vaudeville Com
pany. Limited, with capital stock o
SD. 00O-Robert Grau managing direct
or-is the latest corporation. Rober
says it will not interfere with the bust
ness Of his agency in New York.
San Francisco Music and Drama
Sam 7. Shaw's company will rest tw,
weeks and rehearse two weeks befor
beginning the next touring season
which will include number of return
engagements in the Northwest. wher
the company made a great success las
season.
Theophile Gautier is the man VIII
says lnal the stage seldom gets hOl,
of an idea until it has been worl
threadbare in other places.
Rostand denies with indignation tina
the unprecedented success of his maid
en- "Cyrano" had fatally turned hi
head On the contrary. his lates
skit'' has been as good as accepted b,
the divine Sarah, preparatory to he
initial appearance in Hamlet" I
there be any foundation in the rumor
it is to be hoped. for the sake of mod
ern theatricals, that the dramatist vii
never witness the latter production.
Dumas ''Demi- Monde" is to be re
vived at the Comedie Franchise. Mile
Darland. a beauty whose photograph
are familiar here, is to appear for th.
first time with the company. She ha.
been noted for good looks. Her siste,
is Mile. Marsy, conspicuous in the lie
baudy case.
Gabrielle d'Annunzio has completed
Tor Eleonora Duse Fame" in which