Omaha daily bee., 1900-02-11

atrical month is to be somewhat relieved
this week by the production Of one new play
a. least and this one Of the most talked
about Of any Of the seasons new dramas.
With this fact in view local theatergoets can
tolerate the three other old ones. which by
the way are all good, and ind in them con-
siderable amusement.
The week just closed offered practically
nothing OF interest to the general theatcr-
going public save in the way of vaudeville
entertainment. MIR. Nash's private theatrical
performance on Tuesday night was OF course
given exclusively for his friends, while the
motion pictures OF a recent Now York hstic
encounter were of Interest only to the FOL
lowers Of sporting events. The vaudeville
bill at the Orpheum was one OF average
merit and was fairly well patronized consid-
ering the climatic conditions of the week
which we're by no means encouraging to
theatergoing.
For the week opening today some interest
ing events are chronicled. Sissiretta Jones,
called the Black Patti. will fill the first two
DAYS at the Boyd. Miss Jones has a really
remarkable voice which entities her to the
consideration Of music lovers. For the next
two nights Herbert Kelley and Ellie Shan
non will be seen in THE Moth and the .
Flame" 2 play by no means new to theater-
EDpIS, DlA Olt u Nv ilhb hl'l'''
and Friday "The Children of the Ghetto
will be the Offering. 1t is seldom the west
ern people have an opportunity of seeing q
play the same season that IT is given a
New York and London production, ana by
the original company, therefore unusual IN
terest is manifested In the coming OF the
much talked aboG zangwill play. In New
York 1t was a fiat failure and was severely
criticised by the play reviewers of the me-
tropolis. In London its run was rather briet,
partly because of the war in South Africa
and partly because it was condemned by the
English critics. Returning to this country
recently the piece and company were put
on the road and both have scored unquali-
fed successes wherever seen. The leading
Chicago critics treated the play kindly, say
ing among other things that while not a
great play it possesses the qualities neces-
sary to make a drama interesting and TO
satisfy the public's desire for amusement
The last day of the week william Morris
will be seen in Anthony Hopes not new
hut nevertheless interesting play, 'The
Adventures of Lady Ursula The usual
vaudeville program will be offered at the
Orpheum. Altogether the week promises to
he one of the most interesting OF the season.
At last New York has seen a play that Is
too yilely vulgar for even its lcentious
theatrical taste and the police have been
called upon to stop further performances OF
CLYDE Fitch's English adaptation OF the
dramatization of Daudet's famous novel,
'Sappho." which was given its hrst Ne"
York production on Monday night of last
week by a company Wlth olsd
at its head.
On Tuesday morning following the hrst
performance the New York Journals crlti-
rism was headed with the following in bold
faced type:
''The Journal calls the attention of the po-
lice to the play given here last night at wal
lacks theater by Miss Olga Nethersole. IL
Is with regret that the Journal does TINS,
but there is a public duty to be performed
It is the duty of the authorities to call a
halt. A great many improper plays have
been given in New York recently. 'Sappho,
is the limit should not be performed
again. If the police do not interfere no man
or woman who values his or her good name
should ever go to a performance
The other New York papers, while in per-
haps not such harsh terms. all condemn the
play as being unfit to be seen, yet they de-
vote columns to it which can have but one
effect. and that Is to fill the theater nightly
with those of tainted mind who go merely
TO satisfy their craving for that sort OF
theatrical rubbish. 1t seems that II the play
were practically ignored ny INC PapciS 'hSii
aim would be more surely accomplished
To those who have not been initiated into
the mysteries of stageland the little express
sion cue used SO much by those in th'
profession is an unknown quantity. Upon it
however. much is relied for the eXcellenc'
of a performance. 1t is the one connect
ing link between disorder and disorganiza
ton, and order and a consequent even AM
smooth performance. A certain WORD a
the beginning or end of a dialogue is thu
cue or signal for each to talk or act.
Throughout a play cues are given by wore
or action for the handling of lights, music
change of scene, etc, and woebetide ANYONE
who misses his or her cue, be the guilty on
actor. actress, musician or stage hand, a
the result is a chaotic state OF AFFAIRS whlcl
spoils the scene.
In farce comedy and the like a miscu,
Is not as noticeable as in the other line
OF work. In a serious drama for instance
an artist may be in "A sublimely expressly
mood when some one entrusted to do tn
right thing in a certain place fails TO d
80. or alters 1t and the result is a ridiculou
blunder which makes of the artist a large
for the derision of his audience. Apropo
of this a story is recalled in which Wilto
Lackaye, who is to visit Omaha this weel
was tine pIlltlIdi nbult' II "do llpbdb'
the first time Lackaye was ever ridiculed b
an audience. Vhe story was given as bein
in Omaha during the last visit Of "Trilby,
in which it will be recalled Lackaye cnactc
the role Of S~vengali, In the second az
Svengali. after Il Boosting talk on his power
over ''Trilby,' rushes to a piano standin
near the wings and begins a brilliant far
TASTE. Lackaye does not play the piano, an
for this scene a duplicate piano is place
near the wings, out of sight of the aud
ence, upon which a player engaged for II
purpose, rattles off the music, LackaS
simply making the movements with h
hands for the audience. ON the secor
night the company appeared everything wei
as lovely as a marriage bell up to this poi
in the play. svengali began his wild, In
passioned speech and so wrought up Il
audience that It sat with staring, open'
eyes and expectant faces waiting for Il
finale. SyenGali tottered toward the plan
with nervous, clutching fingers. to begin h
fantasia. lie had not reached the sto
when the hushed and awod audience was su