Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
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Preparation for the Christmas holidays has
Kept everyone so busy during the past week
that few found either the time or inclination
70 attend tho thcaters. And even had there
been nothing else TO attract their attention
IL would doubtless have made but little 1if-
ference, for there was practically nothing
above the ordinary at the playhousos unless
1t was Papinta at the Orpheum. This
theater seemed to enjoy its usual liberal
patronage which, since it was first opened
more than a year ago, has not been p]crcepti-
bly, affected by holidays. weather or anything
else for that matter. The class Of amuea-
ment ia popular, and there Is practically
nothing that will decrease the attendance
until the public tires Of vaudeville.
There are three good attractions booked
at Boyd's this week, and as the OrpheuGn
promises a bill Of standard excellence, there
is really something worth looking forward
to. At the former theater the first half Of
the week will see one OF Hoyt's plays, "a
Trip to Chinatown Interpreted by a COM
pany headed by the inimitable Harry Gil
foil. Emma Nevada, the great prima-donna,
comes for a mid-wcek matinee performance
on Wednesday, and the last half Of the week
'io AioA NINA llhN W. A"' oNAo'h -
Colonial Girl" will be presented. The
original New York cast, with but a few ex-
ccptions, is promised. Howard Gould. who
scored such a well-deserved success here
last season and the preceding one, as Ru-
dolph Rassendyl in THE Prisoner OF Zenda. -"
will appear in the leading role and every
thing points TO a deserving production and
performance.
t. $500 nuzaln Fagt.1 - Al, ,rg,.tInr,
Of seeing Mrs. Leslie Carter and David Be
lasco's "zaza," for the simple reason that
the management made all the money they
wanted in New York and one or two other
cities in tho east. Omahans thought they
were to fare better this season, as the book
ings of Boyd's thcater included Mrs. Carter
and "zaza,' the dates for their appearance
having been December 90 and 2l, but Mrs.
Carter's illness, which lasted for nearly
three months. changed her plans materially.
All OF her dates we're cancelled. After her
recovery. three weeks ago, she decided to
appear for a single week in st. Louis, only
two in Chicago, and then to return directly
to New York for another indefinite run. AS
"A result of all this Omaha playEoers will
have to wait another season for this great
play. Manager Burgess was offered the
Number % company, but refused to book
it, preferring, as he said, ito wait another
year and give his patrons the real thing"
Mrs. Carter's reception in Chicago during
the last two weeks has bordered upon an
ovation.
The announcement of Sol Smith Russell's
illness, which came from Chicago Tuesday
last, where he opened an engagement on
Monday night, was received with deep re-
gret by his many friends and admirers in
this city, where he is booked for appear
auce in February. AS near as can be
learned by press reports, Mr.. Russelps i'll
ness Is an affection of the mind, caused by
nervous dyspepsia, and whether it is only
temporary or permanent can only be guessed
at, as his physician refuses to talk upon the
matter. Mr.. Russell was taken suddenly i'll
during the first act OF his play, the Hon.
John Grigsby," in which he was seen here
last season, and was compelled to dismiss
his audience. In speaking of the occur
renee the Chicago Inter Ocean of Deem
Der 10 has the following to say:
"A very large audience had to
welcome Mr.. Russell, and his first appear
ance on the stage was greeted with general
applause. 1t was noted that he walked
rather feebly, but he carried the earlier
scenes effectively and the charm of the
Illinois play of ante-bellum days had al
ready eXerted itself on the audience. The
first noteworthy break came in the scene
with Meg Ronalds, the schoolteacher,
whose case Grigsby decides to take. Here
Mr.. Russell failed to give the cues to Miss
Wheeler, who played the part, and the
scene was stumbled through. Mr.. Russell
was at this time seated at a table facing
The audience and there was not wanting
evidences that he was mentally perturbed.
Just after Miss Wheeler retired the stage
was left to Mr.. Russell and Alfred Hud-
son, who plays Coke, Grigsby's assistant,
Mr.. Hudson gave his lines, but Mr.. Russell
faltered. His companion took his cue and
endeavored to follow it, but this failed to
assist the actor. There was an embarrass-
ing pause of a few seconds, when Nj. Rus
sell half rose from the table and, leaning
forward, spoke to the audience as follows:
81 very much regret, ladies and gentle
men, to be Obliged to offer you an apology,
and especially tonight and in face of such
a welcome home. But l am in no 'condi-
tlon to appear before you. and with your
permission | think l will retire to my hotel.
Ny physician desired that / refrain from
appearing tonight, but l did not like to
disappolnt my friends here. | will say that
] feel very bad, that my knees are weak
and that | am very much confused. | am
informed that | need absolute rest and that
my brain, or whatever there Is here that
should be in the place where that quantity
ought to be, is tired out. | am mentally
exhausted and l nope you VIII excuse me-
| feel that 1t would be unfair to you for me
TO continue
1.-The curtain was Immediately lowered and
a few minutes later the audience was dis
missed. The collapse of the popular actor
caused the most profound sympathy.
MIR. Russell was exhausted after the st.
Louis engagement that ended a week ago
Saturday said MIR. Berger. the manager for
Mr.. Russell. He thought best to rest a
week and went to Minneapolis, his old home.
lie came to Chicago this morning in bad
condition. He is threatened with mental
paralysis. Tonight he b~ravely went on TO
play his part, but his weakness was so man
ifest as to be observed by the audience.
Mrs. Russell was with him at the theater