The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-11

ACADEMY OF MusIc-wednesday
nisht-Bcb Fitzsimmons. Frida. night
Matthews and Bulge-, in The Night Of
The Fourth.
BIJou-.AH the veek-vauderille

hJjoI-Att lile ateh---N
The week lust ended was &. busy one
in Richmond theatrical circles. The Aca-
denny was not dark a single riSilt dun, ng
the week and the Bijou, with an sexret-
lent BILL had capacity audiences each
hight and MANY OF the matlnees-
This week viii net be quite 50 lively
from a dramatic view point as last Inc
Biseu promises an unusually strong otter
ing, but the Academy has but two book
:.lgs. one OF which is Bob Fitzsimmo'as,
in the Honest Blacksmith, ana her
IS Matthews ana Rulger, in The "Night Of
the Fourth
There is an cd saw which has been
quoted oft and Ger, to the effect that doc
tors often die, and TO this might be AIDED
that critics are not always Of the same
mind. THIS observation IS aeropas OF the
wide divergence of the criticisms an the
morning papers Of "a Midsummer Night
Dream one Of the Academg'S best otter
ings last week. By one critic the pro-
,duction was pronounced to be aiSap-
pointing.'' and mot quite up to expecta-
1icns,'' while the other, and modesty pre-
vents my designating him, wrote: The
scene effects were gorgeous; the cast
WAS a strong one and the result was
finished production
This observation and quotation is made
ta no rap:ious spirit. Both critics We're
entitled to their opinions. and Were no
doubt honest in them, but the fact of their
wide divergence shows that they are
really only human, and that after all the
best judges Of a dramatic performance are
the audiences, The press may praise or
the press may damn. but without the APP
prevail of its audiences a show cannot live.
Anent this dissertation on criticisms the
following from the pen Of the m=lomin.ac
n Town Topics is interesting. He says:
=, 20 ,f.. Z
duiged in by she critical press OF NEW
York These i,ueaboo stories are extern
sipesy Circulated on the countryside, ana
young women coming here 20 appear IN
conce,-. or recital usually go 10 the ztnse
half limp with fright. Dc not tie sssas-
sins Of the press loom up IN front, eye
glasses murdero,sly siittering? could
mot tell you half the Wild rumors IS TO
ihe deadly nlsaas7aa.lcy Of every man on
The snus.cal staff Of the daily papers. Each
IS supposed TO have his pet method of
a.spatchiag the victim. Some do ii with
a club: others prefer boiling oil. The ma
io,3iy use axes. and there Is one who
issaises but TO poison. age Is. or was the
anost feared. until the husband Of an In
edtgasaJ qantteTn clog-tIaac,r who leuseH
.or the ianrels of grand opera shot the
si.ffsspoy mar in eile w7aistceat .
Bob fitzsimmens is an unique character
OH the stage. lie is new 10 The BUSINESS.
but being the champion pugil!st of the
world is naturally expected 10 show him.
self on The stage. Mr. Louis James tells
a saf.ny story of Bob. W!iGa tie champion
first entered the dramatic field. he went
20 Ma. James III much tribalation. IL
KNOW how los act he said. but / am
knocked out when look at my hands.
don't know what to do with them. Can't
Z YOU give me q Tip as TO how 10 use emp.
ne asked
s,r. James looked lrim over ca,efuli,. for
moment, then in a dreamy sort OF
fashion said. Let me sec: sou are the
champion i,ugilist Of the world.
The same. lejoined Bob with a smile
Well continued Mr. James. II woai1
advise SOU TO keep Your fists baHed ,,n4
and IN front of Your GAGE. assuming ar,
attitude of the defensive. That viii sun
You and viii ,,,IaoubIedly please your audi
cnces.'
Attic Academy.
Fob gritzsimn,onss champion pugiiist of
- 1psaS. vii raaaan his initial bow 10 4,
--