Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-26

At the theaters last week the only offering
worthy OF any further comment than that
given in the criticisms was Charles Cogh-
lan's presentation OF THE Royal Box" at
the Boyd the first half OF the week. AS was
predicted In this department last Sunday,
the engagement proved a fiat failure fnan-
cially, only a very small proportion OF the
theater-going public OF Omaha attending.
The few who did avail themselves OF the OPP
portunity OF seeing Mr.. Coghlan and his
play were afforded a real treat, and the en-
inent English actor left the city Thursday
after having scored an artistic triumph sell
dom, II ever, excelled In the theatrical his
tory OF Omaha, and rarely equaled. This
may be a rather broad statement, but 1t is
nevertheless true. II might be OF interest
for those who set UP Mansfeld's plays as ex-
amples of stage productions perfect in every
detail to know that Mr.. Coghlan carries
everything used in his play, including seen
cry, furniture and all accessories. Besides
n splendid production. Mr.. Coghlan offered
a play the literary merit Of which is un-
questioned, and above all 1t was well inter-
preted. In his adaptation OF this Dumse
story he has shown himself a daring author
or a fearless adapt. The central figure be-
ing an actor. Mr.. Coghlan has not hesitated
to speak plain words about his own profes.
sion.
It is hardly probable that he found in the
original French the advice which Clarence
gives to the young girl who comes to him
for counsel as to becoming an actress. The
philosophy Of the Partisan would scarcely
have run along these lines.
It is a bold thing, looked at from one side
OF the footlights, to point out the shallow
ness, the insincerity and the illusions OF the
actors existence; 1t Is no less bold. consid-
cred from the other side of the footlights,
to bring three OF the actors away from the
painted walls OF canvas and place them dur
Ing one scene among the audience. What
the public thinks OF this transfer of the ac-
tor from the stage to the box can be Judged
by the vigorous applause which the scene
called forth from the small audiences last
week.
There is such a general interest In the
personality OF actors, or anything that will
give the least insight to the personal side
of their life, that 1t is somewhat strange
that the actor has so seldom appeared as a
character In the drama. Mr. Coghlan seems
TO have anticipated the several authors who
have introduced the actor in their recent
plays, and even If Mr.. Coghlan himself did
So posh many ySaio " "a IL SAS "
the drama which he believed would be suit
able to his uses, he is to be given credit for
striking out along a new line. and doubtless
his imitators will be legion before long.
Going back to the scanty patronage &C
corded Mr.. Coghlan it was a noticeable fact
that, as in the week previous, the poorest
attractions drew the large audiences while
merit suffered. THE Spider and the Fly"
one of the worst bits of trash in the way
of a theatrical offering ever perpetrated
upon the local public, drew the banner house
of the week. "a Bunch Of Keys" another
OF Hoyt's nonsensical things OF ancient
times, which was recently resurrected to
make a few one-night stands about the
country, was easily next in point Of attend
ance, tho theater being we'll filled on Sun
day night. This condition of affairs is la
mentable. to say the least, and not encour-
aging to managers Of the better attractions.
This is certainly an Indication that Omaha
people are not a theater-going public. They
attend only the attractions which they have
made up their minds to see long in advance
of their coming. or these which are best
advertised by forced New York runs or paid
writeups in magazines supposed to express
honest. unbiased opinions upon things
theatrical. AS a proof Of the assertion that
Omaha Is. without a regular heater going
public 1t may be stated that there are less
than a dozen actors and actresses who visit
this city and play to audiences that test the
capacity of the theater. Among them are
Mansfield, Sol Smith Russell, DeWolf Hop
per. Frank Daniels, Alice Nielsen and Henry
Miller. 1t has been only recently that Mans
field attracted large audiences in Omaha.
Soma yaare o. n ha p1avad n waak'c anoapa-
ment here to Indifferent business. Last
season he broke a record. And why? De-
cause his "Cyrano de Bergerac" had become
a popular fad in the east, and not to see
It was considered a breach Of social etiquette.
Sol Smith Russell's clientele includes thou
sands who go to see his plays exclusively.
and the we'll known comic opera buffoons,
like the clowns in the circus. who always
get the attention of the major portion Of
the audience, are sure to attract theater-
goers in large numbers. But let any other
real artists come and IL the theater is half
full they are fortunate. indeed.
The Orpheum has a promising list of
attractions for Thanksgiving week. Ed
win Milton Royle and Selena Fetter, who
head the bill, are favorites in this city and
their ability Is too well known to make COM
ment necessary. Last season they appeared
at the Orpheum and made what was con-
sidered one OF the artistic hits of this the
ater's season in a charming little comedy
called Captain Impudence." This season
they have a new comedy by Mr.. Royle. en-
titled THE Highball Family upon which
the eastern press has commented most ia
vorably.
Omaha has waited two years for the
stage version of Hall Gaines novel, The
Christian and its patience is soon to be
rewarded. as the play is underlined fer APP
pearance here within the next ten days.
E1ie Ellsler. who will be remembered as
the heroine OF that famous old play, Hazel
Kirke," will play the part Of Glory Quayle,
which has been made famous by Viola AL
len. Where Miss Ellsler has appeared In
this character her work has received favor
able comparison with that of Miss Allen.
The popularity Of The novel will doubtless
make the engagement one of the banner
ones OF the season.
Thanksgiving is looked upon by theatrical
managers generally as the best day in the
year in their line OF business. 1t is a fad
OF long standing to attend either a matinee
on Thanksgiving or a foot ball game In tde
affarnnnn and a theatrical mar formanra in