Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-26
FEW SERIOUS PLAYS.
THE LIGHTER FORM OF DRAMA IN
THE AsCENDENCY.
OPERA AND VAUDEVILLE THIS WEEK.
The Olympia Opera Company TO Give
Nine Performances at The ,c,a-
e"y-iioccaccto the Opening Bill
The Offering at the Biiou.

Ihere are few serious plays before tho
public this season, while the Hzhter firm
ot mo drama overruns the stage. The
number Of Objectionable farces has also
increased 10 an alarming degree. Theea
latter arc Of that class generally termed
"trenchy." 1t is a significant fact that
me best element among the theatrical
procession frown upon these productions
which, as one critic has said have beer
empued in this country through our
'transoceanio connection with the French
dramatic sewer" The dramatic columns
OF many of the leading newspapers also
denounco these entertainments. ana vet.
In spite Of tho outrage to common de-
cency, these vile creations continue TO
occupy the boards OF reputable theatres.
and what is worse. they thrive exceeding
y and enrich those who launch them.
Well may such papers as the New York
Dramatic Mirror. the organ OF the thea
iflcal profession put the question
where and when viii the flow Of stage
ndecency end2' Washington seems 10 be-
getting more than IT'S share of this class
of entertainments this season. Two Of
.hese farces running during the same
week should certainly cause the theatre
soers Of that city To- cry enough"
mo Girl from Maxims" was the at
racuon at the New National last week.
while at The Columbia Mile. Fife" was
he bill. The newspapers. OF course. pro-
pcrly labelled them with the French
stamp In regard 20 one of these farces.
The Post said that. in this weather. 10 did
400 sec what possible benefit Washing
tOnians could derive from the attraction
lt visit last February might have been
timely.
Tho latest addition TO the cess pool OF
the stage Make Way for the ladies'"
Judging from the rush Of the fair sex 10
attend similar productions. the title IS
not altogether Inappropriate. In regard
90 this farce, the New York Journal says:
1T may be- @ jolly entertainment 10 see
leading man behaving himself like an
enraged Tom eat. but it is not good form.
The conduct Of couscienceless felincs need
not necessarily bo inflated in drawing
ROOM
Apropos OF this subject. the following
editorial OF the Dramatic Mirror is inter-
esIng: ''rhe report that theatrical
manager in Paris has organized e. staff
Of lauehers 90 be discreetly disposed
leading and oupla.Izug laughter in AN
its degrees from Tie audible smile 90
caohinnaton. proves that the tricks of
the theatrical .rade have not yet been
exhausted. This enterprise is Iec0m-
m.utcd 10 the -erioIs consideration ~
ono or two New York managers, who
practically mnuopouae the Importation OF
French rarces. with the recommendation
that they improve upon sine 'de1 ty Cr-
glniziug for discreet distribution among
the Teudcrloin audiences upon which they
depend. a company OF persons WHO can
blush violently 1T IRE right nomen-s.'
Last week was q duh one for the thea
TRIGGERS of RchmonL THE BJ0I mad
an excellent biu that pleased large au-
dieuces. But there was only one attrac-
ton at tho Acc denny. and that was not
of such e. nature .ts - interest the ma
iority Of the patrons Of tine house.
For tho current Wech. however lino
performances VIII be given at ule Acid
envy. The Olympia Opela Company VIII
give the mus'c-lovers Of Richmond "a
brief season OF opera. For This engage
ment the prices nave been reduced. he
PRINCIPALS in the company arc Fanny
Nvere Eleanor Juddns, Lotue Kendall
Eva Beith George Olmi. sylvan lansiois,
DAN Young. Tommy Nhylc, and Mr.
Weston.
Reduced prices do rot necessarily mean
Door performances. The organization re
mains here week. and after the first
night tho public viii give its own verdlet
AS TO its merits. The company does LOT
give one performance and then jump
OUT of town in the darkness OF The nsHt.
The success OF the Packard Opera Doin-
panv here last summer leads 10 the De-
lief that q week of opera al prices "I'"lh
tho reach Of AN VIII De taken adNaniaSe
Of by Richm0nds music-loVers, ana that
fbe performances win he well pdtrOnized-
"Boccaccio" viii be the bill TO morrow
nfrbt The rcpOrt0ir. for the remainder
az rbe week includes Girohe Giroha, Paul
Jones. Cayallcria Ru,ucaua, la Peril
cholc. and the ever-popular Bohemiah
Girl. Natmees win be given wednesday
Thursday (ThauksgivIg-Day, and sat
urday
The Offering Thanksgiving week at the
Biiou is an exceptionally strong one en-
hracinf- some very well known acts Wmch
were booked by Manager Wells du-
ring mis- recent trip TO New YORK. Ine
head-liner OF this weeks bill. Charles H.
Sweet. made great hit at me b'Jo"
last season. Tine performer II VIII Do
recalled. makes up as tramp Du' sl"i
,,-i,, discovers piano So the library OF IL
,,snsfon and commences go play the
'r.-r,irnent in "a manner that is certainly
r,,,,,, and clever. lie takes popular B
'Thrre win Doe hot time n the ola
town to-night'-aud plays the same l"hr
M dances wedding marches. iunei"
marches and church hymns. te is "is1
a, clever imit3tor on the piano oI se',l"'
musical Instruments.