Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-29

seriously in my way, and as i had noticed
that gentlemen in the Capitol city made
no bones of politely asking lady TO re-
move her headgear whom it happened 20
obstruct their view, 1 screwed up my
courage. and in n hesitating manner
asked her II she would object 10 taking
off her hat. Gaming her eyes full upon
me. sho onquired: what nm 10 do with
IT if l take it OFF," ''Why. place it in
your lap" I replied. "Then." said she,
II won't be able to see the stage myself"
That settled st. ] have never SINCE asked
a woman 10 remove her hat The bald
headed row Is good enough for me now,
anyway.
John Philip Sousa. unlike a great many
famous composers, is neither eccentric in
his dress nor giraffe in his manner. In
other words. he is a genius without being
a crank. In this age, when genius IS ac-
companied by so many traits that IN any
person less favored would be sufficient
reason for causing n commission Of lu-
macy 10 be held over them, II IS re-
freshng to meet a man like Sousa. After
the matinee concert Of his magnificent
band last Monday I conversod with the
March King for some little time, and
found him a most pleasing talker. He
was enthusiastic over his new opera, Tho
Bride Elect" and naturally the CONVEX
satiOn soon drifted 10 this topic, In re-
ferrine to the story Of his bright opera,
and the scene Of action. the man Of many
marches saidl "On my visit 20 Italy last
year. sailing out in Vesuvian bay. and
making trips 10 the various islands. |
was particularly impressed with the bar
barrie glamour Of the Island of Capri. You
know IL was the watering place OF the
old Roman Emperor Tiberius. and lots
of the other pleasure-loving Romans had
summer palaces on this rocky island in
the NeapOlitan Gulf. OF course, If we
had that island over here, we, in our
simple American way would call it Goat
Island. in fact. l think we have Goat
Island somewhere on the Pacific coast.
But that is the difference between the
italian and the American Compartments.
have divided the island into two minia-
ture kingdoms. which are supposed 10
have been at war with each other AID
out Of the conditions arising from this
martial strife the plot Of the story has
been evolved. Whatever merit The Bride
Elect may possess. if any, ] can say,
with absolute truth. that l don't know
another story Just Ike IL, and to use the
lingo Of my birthplace, I'm Pipetown, 1T
IS dug ont Of my head "
familiar with Mr.. Sousa's unique style
of music. but there are very few who
know that he has literary abilities Of no
mean order He has written the book as
well as the music Of his new comic opera,
1.-THE Bride Elect" which comes TO the
Academy on January 3)th and 3lst, with
matinee on the latter day. In construc-
ton he has thrown some well-settled and
rather threadbare dramatic principles TO
the winds. SOusa begins the first act or
"The Bride-Elcct" with fourteen minutes
of music before there is a word OF dla-
lopue spoken, and I'm this space OF time IS
introduced one Of his most STIRRING
marches. with Clanking Sword and Glis-
tening Gun" Then the prima donna
comes on. the comedian has scene,
there is a conspirators' Octette, and the
act closes with picture His second act
contains what IS claimed 10 be the most
clever satire on the Italian school OF
oncra vet written. The great scene OF
! the opera. Of course, is the closing OF TINS
act when the famous march, "Unchalh
| the DOGS of War" IS rendered by prin-
cinels chorus. military band on the stage
| and an augmented orchestra. IN the
! third act there is an original topical song
which describes the d0ings or a goat that
! has swallowed the wax cylinders OF q
! phonograph, and tells the tunes that ne
| could not catch.
| NIessrs. Klaw & Erlanger and =. D.
! Stevens have provided a great cast, con-
| sisting of Albert Hart Hilda Clark,
| Cbristie Macdonald. Marbella Baker
| George Iyding. Melville Stewart Harry
| Tncketone. and Charles =. Drew, ana d
chorus OF sixty well-trained and effective
| einoere In addition to these, there Is a
| ballet which will dance the Tarantens
| Cor the first time within the memory OF
| the present generation or theale-sov, y
Tho production is said 10 be eNaclIy lhe
some as that which ran for so lohs
season at the knicherpoCNer
New York, last spring.
The amusement Of the Kelcey-Shan'
non Cohpany at the Academy next wed
rog5ax ana Thursday nights and Thurs
1av na,inee will undoubtedly be bril-
Tont event. There is a very pleasant an
ticlpafon in the appearance on the com
many i'm CLYDE Fitch's new pay me
HrTat, on6 the Flame" Mr.. Fitch ha.
\ won q very high place in the es'linauol
80 tbaatre-goers through the success
which has attended his new play, Whlcl
&c declared 10 be in many respects th'
most faithful picture or American u,'
.,it,en II is said to be admirably
handled
rfo,i,ort Kelley and Miss Ellie shannon
- bave always been associated witt
tba very best American companies an'
I,ave been engaged I'm the presentation o
rlovs the refinement Of which appeal
~ in very best class Of theatre-goers.
Mr. FnchH new play deals with mod
ern New York society life, as II IS seer
among that division of the 400" Know
as the smart set" 1t Is sad that III
has cleverly shown its foibles and plea
sures as well as its bitterness ana soi
rows and they are brought out IN oeci
siye contrast in scenes or marked Or,
matte force. In the company are Josepi
70. Whiting, Bruce McI9ae, Edward See
David florence Charles Steadman, =. ;
Robinson. Marion Abbott. Grace keals
Isabel Waldron. Winona shannon Len
T,uis Ethel Kingston, Mary Hansen. Ma
mic Dunn Mrs. Frances Ferren, Elllil
Tanvier. George Eichels, George ran
merry. and A. r. Laidlow.
The Riiou Family Theatre enters upo
SIC fourth week tomorrow, ana tne su.
cess which has attended Manager Wesis
enterprise thus far has certainly pee
most encouraging. Mr.. Wells Is deter
,,ined 70 allow no act 10 form part {
nrooySmue which cannot be witnesse
Win propiety by lady audiences an
~ the rehearsals each Monday morhih
~ &C. nrosent 90 see that nothing obJe'
,,onabie is allowed 20 remain III any
~ faa,nres "Cut II out" he says, VINE
~ ,hinks =. song is too broad or sigge'
Two and the performer has to- drop lro'
| -. ~ ohtectiouable part.