The times., 1899-02-19

Cartons Lord and Lady Algy" at
the Empire.
Most Notable Thing in Dull
Week on the RinItO.
New York, Feb 1S.-"The Great Ruby"
which is on view at Daly's, marks a dis
tinct departure from the methods so long
in vogue at that theatre. The piece is q
thriller. after the fashion of all English
melodramas. \ $25O.OOO gem is stolen by
a gang led by Partisan adyenturess. who
is received in society as a Countess. There
is an Eastern Prince in love with the light
fingered lady. who declares that her feeling
for him is the only pure thing in her life.
Later the Countess Confesses TO the Prince,
who agrees to get the ruby and bring il to
her, when they two are to leave for life
Of ease in the Orient. In getting possession
of the jewel this nobleman murders the
thif by dropping him from balloon. The
basket is seen soaring away among the
clouds How the Prince gets down is not
explained, but he does, and in the next act
he is seen at a military tournament. There
he falls off his horse and is killed, but be-
fore his death he hands over the ruby to
its rightful owners. This is about all there
is to the story, which is almost common
place. The play is splendidly staged
and the acting is capital. The hit
of the performance on the opening
night was made by Blanche Bates
as the adventures. She does the part nat
urally and effectively. Ada Rehan. as the
parvenu wife, is also natural at times but
not often. The role is out of her line and
is likely to stay so. The cast OF twenty or
thirty people includes several very pretty
girls. most of whom have little to do ex-
cept TO wear stunning gowns. The Great
Ruby is an experiment at Daly's and the
result will be awaited with much interest.
Lord and Lady Algy." at the Empire,
is work by r. c. Carton, and in it Charles
F'rohman's stock company is called upon TO
do an entirely different kind of work from
that which they did in ''Phroso." The jump
from melodrama to high-class comedy is a
long one. but it is successfully made by
Jessie MiIIward, Wfiiiaf E#aversham. May
Robson. and the others in the cast In the
story Lord and Lady Algy are living apart,
the wife staying with an aunt and the no.
b'eman being ensccnced in a coy fiat
Lord Algy has brother who is a CAV sort
OF boy and who requests the use of the fiat
for an assignation with Mrs. Tredway
Then the complications begin and do nor
end until The final fall of the curtain. when
Ihe nero and heroine are reconcied and get
ready Tor new honeymoon The dual
parts are cleverly acted by Miss MilIward
anu Nlr. faVersham The new piece is an
undoubted success and is on for run.
Al the Academy Of Music, Mr.. Frohman
mas revived Anson Pond melodrama. Her
Atonement." The piece tells a story Of
the Civil War, and is made entartainine
Dy reason OF its picturesque and stirring
| military scenes. In connection with come
OF the tab!eaus, the famous Astor Battar;,
whlch Is just back from the Philippines
appears in mimic parade along Broad
way. There is a realistic ferryboat. some
| real water and other sensational features.
Good work is done by Louis AIdrich. Henry
Il. DiXey. Orrin Johnson, Annie Irish. and
Jessie Busley. At least two hundred peo-
pie are employed in the production. which
Is as elaborate as the play will hermit
Runaway Girl is in its last fortnight
at the Fifth Avenue Theatre The Offering
| continues 10 draw crowded houses and
! could run the season out had not Manager
Knowles signed Il contract with Mrs. FisFe
by which she opens there on February
| q During her engagement this actress
VIII be seen in Sundermans "Magda. -
"Frou Frou." and play called Little
Italy Mrs. Fiske is popular here and
her appearance always marks an interest
| ing theatrical event.
Mrs. Leslie Carter and "Zaza' have the
same story of prosperity to tell at the
Garrick Theatre that they have been tell
| ing from the first. The business at this
house is simply phenomenal for not a seat
can be had unless it is purchased two or
| three weeks in advance Although the
| play would not be exactly the thing to
| read to Bible class. it is most interesting
| and in some of its scenes uncommonIy
| powerful. Mrs. Carter is. of course. the
| bright particular star Of the performance.
! and she deserves TO be, for there is not
now a woman on the English speaking
stage who could play the title part in so
| convincing fashion. 'Zaza" is great
but Mrs. Carter is greater
La Belle Helene" is nearing the end of
| its run at the Casino. This revival has
| served one good purpose in bringing to
! the front John f. Henshaw. who is a really
| good comedian and not a song and dance
man. The Belle viii give way to a
| return engagement. for one week. of "A
| Dangerous Maid which in turn is to be
! followed by new spectacular and lyric
| fantasy called In Gay Parer" and in
| which Mr.. HenshaW will have the leading
| role
/ NJ III II La tl IOll mas Ne II NsiSflF
| improved since its first performance at
the Herald Square Theatre Author-actor
| James A. Herne has eliminated the long
/ speeches and quickened the action through
| out. The audiences have steadily increased
! until now the business is very good. Be
fore the close of his engagement Mr. Herne
| may give the present generation of thea
tregoers an opportunity TO see his won
dcrfully clever impersonation of Bill
Sykes.
Primrose & Dcckstader's New American
| Minstrels made their first appearance in
| this city on Monday night at the Grand
Opera House. As both comedians are old
! favOrites here, they drew an Over1owing
audience. The performance is given with
| lavish scenic effects and handsome cos
tunes. There is plenty of fun, song. and
dance, and a real scarcity of dull moments.
Several of the spectacles are new and up
| to date.
At other combination houses some nota-
bic attractions are to be seen. Hotel
Topsy Turvv." with Marie Dressler and
| Eddie Foy is at the Harlem Opera House
The Heart of the KlOndike" is at the
Star "A Female Drummer is at the CO.
lumbus, Two Little Migrants" is at the
Metropolis, and ''Trilby' is at the Murray
Hill Theatre.
The frisky and risque "Fif" has sue
ceeded in getting herself talked about and
| is actually packing the Manhattan Theatre
with curiosity seekers. Since the opening
| arfn ba