The times., 1899-09-10


coming close upon one another now in
our busy burg. Miss Hobbs" and In
Paradise both important premieres, were
given this week only three nights apart,
and the critics had not yet recovered from
the brain fag induced by their efforts in
behalf OF Manager Doris when Annie Rus
sell demanded their attention. In Para
disc. which was done first and at the
Bi3ou Theatre, has achieved hardly more
than partial success, many Of the review
efs voting il coarse. while all agree that,
with the exception of one scene, it is
stupid The piece would probably have
fallen fiat but for its vein of obseenity
The story concerns the adventures OF a
countryman. Monsieur PontbichoJ by name,
with whose daughter an artist, Raphael de
la Caux falls in love. The rustic. how
ever is anxious 10 see the gay lite OF
Paris and imposes, before giving his con-
sent 10 the marriage of his child. the con-
dftion that he shall be introduced to the
mistress whom he insists his prospective
son-in-law must have. Strangely enough,
NJ De Ia Caux is without friends of the
sort described. and, in order TO win the
woman for whom he cares so much, is
obliged 10 bribe a model into playing the
part From this condition come the COM
plications. which are not altogether pleas
ant. The farce is presented by an admir-
able cast which includes Richard Golden,
Minnie Seligman, Theodore Babeock. Belle
Stokes. Theodore Hamilton, Hattie Russell,
Harry st. Maur, Beatrice Morgan, William
Bonnell. and Margaret Mcdonald.
In Miss Hobbs,' which annie Russell
offered on Thursday at the Lyeeum. that
disciple of san-bonBet parts takes a longer
step from her cid line than she did in
Catherine" Miss Hobbs is man-hater.
and when one OF her acquaintances has a
quarrel with the inevitable husband the
young bride is invited 10 her house When
Miss Hobbs mikes herself in the matter
things go from bad TO worse. The woman
whose name gives the play its title next
succeeds in estranging an engaged couple
and then falls desperately in love herself.
The comedy is exceedingly well written and
fairly sparkles with humor Miss Russell
has never been seen to better advantage in
the course OF her entire career. Her in
depreciation OF the principal role is clean
cut and always effective. The supporting
company includes Charles J. Richman and
Mrs. Gilbert, both formerly members Of the
organization al Days
Nv last weeks letter TO The Times con-
tained q mention of the plot which served
Willie Collier in Mr.. Smooth" which had
lust then been shown al the Manhattan.
ated by the play and players. In the first
place, Mr. Collier is a strong local favorite.
and anything he exhibits is likely 10 at
tract attention. The general opinion seems
10 be that IN Mr.. Smooth he has a part
that fits him as an orange fits its skin
Audiences laugh at the farce from curtain
to curtain while the critics have been
especially kind-tO the star most particu-
larry. ] predict long run for the work.
Little of Sunshine - The OfhQr
hand. viii have only three weeks al
WallaeS's- II is said that the importation
is doing well, and might be continued for
d longer time, were * not for the fact that
Stuart Robson is TO open al the theatre on
September is in The Gadfy" This ven-
ture, by the way, is considered TO be de-
cide6iy rash one, not because the drama is
likely to lack strength, but from the fact
thar its atheistic features are more pro-
nouneed and radical than those OF any pres
enfation We have had since Victorien SaT-
dou's Daniel Rochet" which startled the
religious world twenty years ago. THE
Gadiiy is the soubriquet bestowed upon
the nlegitimate son Of a church digniIary
whose sinfuinsss, together with a knowl-
edge Of his mothers frailty. has made an
fnfidsl out Of the young man. There is
no end OF tragedy in the character, and the
admirers Of Mr. Robson seem uncertain Of
his ability TO do anything in it. With 9
personal recollection of the bits of pathos
which the actor put into The Juckiins,
however, I am tempted 10 believe that Mr
Robson VIII al least be thoroughly artistic
IN his vehicle.
I have seen a dress and scenic rehearsal
Of Wagenhai Kemper's forthcoming
production of THE Winters Tale" and be-
lieve that, aside from the sumptuousness
OF settings and clothing, the revival viii
be q success II only through the efforts OF
Kathryn Kidder. Miss Kidder's justly-ad-
mirsd impersclation OF Madame Sans Gene
served 10 show her as an actress OF wonder
fui versatility and power. An important
characteristic OF her work II in that she can
approach and, when necessary, cross, that
thin border line which separates pathos
from humor In view OF al these varied
abilities. i do not hesitate 10 predict much
for her assumption Of the roles Of Perdita
and Hermione-roles in which Mary AnGer-
son achieved one Of her greatest triumphs-
Bronson Howard has come TO town for
the purpose of conducting the rehearsals
Of his new play, Peter Sruyyesant." IN
which ". II. Crane is to appear shortly az
waIlackts. The production promises 10 be
the nest ambitious Of Mr. Cranes career,
ss The Gadly" wiz be the most lavish
ever made BY his old partner. Consider
able curiosity seems to have been aroused
amcag folk who are anxious 10 see the
star Of "A Fool of Fortune" as the uniped
Governor CT New York ! myself confess
some degree OF wonder regarding the ad-
vent Of Mr.. Crane with wooden leg.
From Canada have been drifting into
New York most gratifying reports Of the
hit made at Montreal by Mrs. Fiske. who
presented Becky Sharp there on last
Monday. AS is generally known Becky
Sharp" is a dramatiZaticn of Vanity
Fair" and theatrical wiseacres have been
indulging Ia much speculation concerning
IT, Every one of Mrs. Flskes many admir-
ers viii be glad TO learn OF her achieve
ment.
As was 10 have been expected, The Girl
From Msxim's" has caught the town and
hundreds are being turned away from the
Criterion Theatre at every performance
The piece sets limit TO stage suggestive
ness. FOR. although several Of its immorali-
ties are sugar-coated TO a certain extent
there is no lack OF episodes ard incidents
which, 10 say the least, are most candidr
There is no disrobing scene in "The Cir
F5cm Maxim's'' for the very good reason
thar the heroine has undressed and is il
bed when the curtain rises On the FIRST act
Exec pting for this omission the farce i:
not without one Of the conventional fndeIi-
cscies. The Girl" goes TO the Garden
shcetly. when she viii be followed at Tho
Criterion by Julia Marlowe ia Clyde
Flteh's Barbara Fritchie"
Manager Rosenquest has engaged an ex-
ceiient company 10 exploit The Old Home.
stoad's" successor, tTbe Village Postmas-
ter IN the provinces this season. Amons
the members OF the organization will be
Archie Boyd. who is well known for hi.