The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-01-27

MISS RUSSELL IN MISS HOBBS."
 Miss Annie Russell appeared at the
 Hyperion theater last evening present.
 ing Jerome K. Jerome's successful com
 edy Miss Hobbs" The piece has had
 a notable season at the Lyceum theater
 and It's reputation attracted fine au-
 dience to last nights performance, an
 audience exceptionally numerous and
 well dressed. The character of the as-
 semblage was a tribute to Miss Rus sells popularity, and not entirely due to the fame of the play. Moreover, | Miss Russell is supported by an excel- lent company, which numbers Mrs. G.
 H. Gilbert and Charles Richman among it's members. Both Mrs Gilbert and
 MT. Richman are old friends and the
 pleasure of their presence in the cast
 was in itself potent attraction. The very hearty reception given Mrs. Gil-
 bert upon her entrance must have been
 grateful to her. This charming conie-
 dienne has lost none of the perfection
 of her art and the gentleness, refine
 ment and spicy humor of her acting are
 as delightful as ever.
 Miss Hobbs is Jerome K. Jeroma's
 first success in the field of play writing
 His previous productions did not meet
 with general favor, although there were
 good points in all of them. Miss
 Hobbs' is another variation of the new
 woman theme and not at all remarkable for originality or briliancy of treat ment. That the author of Three Men in a Boat" can write good dialogue goes
 without saying, and some of the lines of the present piece are well turned. But the working out Is not new and the popularity of theYwork must be iaccred-. tied in about equal measure to the skill of the actors and the wholesome and merry atmosphere of the comedy itself. It tells the old story that old ways are best ways. and that the "Ewig Weibliche" is still leading us
 upward and on. The scene in the yacht, of course, suggests "The Tanning of the Shrew,' but it is timid sug- gestion. The author has been commits sioNed to prepare another comedy for Miss Russell for next year, and we shall then have an opportunity to see what he has gained in technical ability. And it is pleasant to know that spec ial opportunity will be provided in the ICW PiCCG loi NIi S'iipCIl WiO iluS contributed so much to the success of Miss Hobbs"
 Annie Russell is probably the last actress MT. JeromeFliad in mind to play Miss Hobbs," but it is undoubtedly due to Miss Russells performance that the play has succeeded. The impossi- ble female that the author presents in the first two acts is rendered human and lovable through the charm of the | actress personality. The nearer feels | assured that Is only temporary perver- sity and that time will prove her the | delightful woman she appears to be de- | spite her preposterous speeches. Miss l Russell has no great opportunity, but | on the other hand she is not over- 1 weighted as she was in Catherine" With her quiet manner and speech she | accomplshes wonderful results and she | hypnotizes her audience in some subtle way so that they compre- bend her meanings without work or gesture on her part She was enthu- slastically received last night.
 Of Mrs. Gilbert's performance we have already spoken. Her sweet and amiable spinster who intrigues with suCn DeneVOlenu purpose, such admir- able results is large feature of the performance. Charles Richman has a | part that IS not worthy of his talents, put he acts it gracefully and with buoy mt good humor. Miss Clara Bloodgood aas made tremendous stride and she deserves cordial praise for her acting If the rebellious wife. Campbell Col an is excellent as the husband The whole production was carefully man. lged and in wholly enjoyable Miss Hobbs" is far from being a great play, ut it is clean and amusing and very well acted.