Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-02

affected by the vaudeville house, and re
suits have demonstrated that there is
room for two places Of amusement in
! Richmond. y gentleman who was in the
| city last week, and who Is in close touch
! with the theatrical business, speaking 10
the Dispatch dramatic man in regard "a
the favor with which vaudeville has beer
received here, said that when it was an
nounced in New York city that the Bijou
would open in Richmond there seemed
| 10 be but one opinion among men who
were supposed 10 know whereof they
| spoke, and that was, that the house would
! close its doors in very few weeks. These
gentlemen did not believe that vaudeville
would take" in the South, and said OF
! all places in the land OF Dixie the capital
OF Virginia would be the one in which
there was least chance Of success. All
| Of the traditions of Virginia, they said,
plainly argued that a variety show
would not suit the tastes of her citizens.
However vaudeville was offered Rich
mond, and it has been received with de-
cided favor.
William II. Crane, on next Thursday,
will begin an engagement OF three nights
and Saturday matinee at the Academy.
Since Mr.. Crane was last seen in this
city he has secured two plays which
have been very successful. THESE are y
Virginia Courtship" and THE Head OF
the Family" and it is his intention 10
present both of these while here. Mr..
Crane needs no introduction. but II might
be Just as well TO give a brief synopsis
of the plays that he is to present. ~ Viz
GINA Courtship" is a comedy with its
scenes laid in the Old Dominion. The pc
Rod of its action is the early portion OF
the century, and the people shown are
old aristocrats whose ancestors were
among the first settlers in the colony OF
virginia. The principal character Is
fine old major, who tells his son that
wife has been picked out for him. The lad
asks the lady's name. is told by his hot
headed parent that it is none OF his Dusl-
ness, and the result is quarrel, which
ends without the name of the girl being
mentioned Now, ii so happens that the
lad is in love with the girl his father has
selected for him. Believing that his IA
Their wants him TO marry some one else,
he el0pes with his sweetheart. and when
he returns the Major, thinking that he
has disgraced the family by marrying q
serving maid orders the couple from has
door Then the Major has love afair
of his own, for he falls in love With the
widow who is his neghbor. and he Is not
made happy untll set OF luulcEOuS tti
cumstances causes him 10 propose. The
play will be presented on Thursday and
Saturday nights.
'The Head Of the Family" which will
be given on Friday and al the Saturday
matinee. is a modern work. telling very
interesting story of domestic life, and
presenting Mr.. Crane in one of the most
delightful characters that he has ever as
sumed. 1t shows him as an amiable pro-
lessor Of middle age wrapped up In his
flowers and plants. devoted TO his books,
crazy to travel. and negligent Of the po-
sition in his family which he should oc- !
.upv. and The authority which he should !
WELD. The family move in fashionable |
His daughter has formed an at |
tachment for a young man Of her set, |
but. the moment arriving for an offer OF |
she is astonished. Inundated, |
md mortified by the suggestion of DIFF |
'erent kind Of proposition. At this mo-
nent a friend of her fathers, who has
ong loved her. arrives with confession |
If his love, and is accepted. A year later
however, though happily married, she
till finds her former admirer q sutton for
Ter favor, but. by a mischance, the maj
rushing blow which she Is about 10 de-
Iyer 10 his hopes miscarries. leaving her