Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-24
THE ACADEMY AND BIJoU.
"a Country Merchant" and n Naude-
Vile Bill the offerings This Week.

Vile Hill the Oncrtngs THIS week.
"a Country Merchant" a rural comedy
drama. will be the attraction at the
Academy tomorrow. at matinee and eve-
ming performances. A dozen years ago,
away up in Portland, Ore, young man
was doing a turn" IN a vaudeville thea
tro which he called THE Yankee Clod
Hopper" Mckee Rankin saw him and
forthwith engaged him TO create the part
OF tho Vermont farmer in his new play,
"The Canuck." A year or so later the
"Canuck" had its first performance at
q Broadway theatre. New York, with a
cast OF New York favorites, such as Mrs
Annie and Miss Jennie Yeamans, Wilton
Iackay. Miller Kent and Mr. RANKIN
himself. The only actor in the cast whom
New Workers aid not know was Mr..
Cowles. the leading dramatic critics OF
tho metropolis said, New FORK has
mover seen such piece of character act
ing" Here was no buffOOn relying on
the usual nasal tWang, but an actor who
seemed TO counterfeit nature herself In
his picture Of the whimsical, shrewd, ma
tiOnal type-the Yankee, hali-brOther 20
Uncle Sam himself. Mr.. Cowles fully
justified tho high opinion OF New York
ors. Year by year he played many parts
always the Nankee-With Rankin, Win
Hoyt. and with Rice. Then Rankin wrote
for him "a play "A Country Merchant"
10 tho stellar part of which Mr.. Cowles
brought vast artistic experience, and the
results OF a life study OF the Yankee
character. As Eben Baxter, he - rhe
character comedian par excellence. tho
play is said TO be a beautiful one, with
laughter and tears closely mingled, and
a sturdy honesty and manhood permeat-
ing It. Specialties are introduced, and -
naturally that they do not mar the story
Of the drama.
Christmas weeks Offering at the Bijou
will open with q special matinee to-
morrow afternoon, and the bill Will I'M
doubtedly be in keeping with the splendid
entertainments this little playhouse mas
become noted for. Manager Wells mas
ondeayored 10 present this week blend
ing Of comedy, music, and novelty.
The worlds trio, Perry and Lulu Kyne
and Emma Woods, present one OF the
very best comedy creations on the Ameri-
can stage. Mr.. Ryne is a good comedian
and his helpmates are clever entertainers.
The trio executes a cake-walk that draws
the most enthusiastic applause, ana the
East-Side girl impersonations by Misses
Rvne and Woods prove great laugh-pro-
vokers.
Johnson. Davenport, and Lorrello are
the originators OF cOmedy-acrODauc
act in which they Introduce a patented
gymnastic apparatus. upon which they
uerform difficult feat5 I'm athletic WORK.
The trio are expert ground ana loiy
tumbers.
The Bison City Quartette, another OF the
features. will appear for the first time III
the South in vaudeville They present an
act that Is constantly In demand an
over tho theatrical world. They are sweet
singers and good comedians, and appear
in character makeup
George T.. Beban is one OF the most
clever young comedians on tne stage ms
work IS always original, because he tens
stories In which he works In local gags
and his PAROLES deal with subjects WIN
which local audiences are familiar.
The Her trio, IN their latest creation
"a Tramp's Dream" introducing aero
battle and grotesquo coh1oiuon "o'N' az
billed as a feature.
The Brownings, comedy sketch artlsts'
are ALSO good for a hit. Mr. Browning Is
the author Of some very popular comic
songs and parodies, and VIII sing Ills
latest successes.
Miss Ninetta Collins, popular vocal
ist Is the Coincidence Of the bill
The special matinee to-day VIII beSih
M 2.gO o'clock promptly. Seats Tor the
o,tiro week are on sale at the box Office,
or can be engaged by mail or telephone.