The age-herald., 1900-04-04
~THE PLAY

Sheridan's first. if not his best, comedy, "The Rivals" was presented last night at the Jefferson theater with dear old Joe Jefferson himself as the immortal Bob Acres. ''The School for Scandal" Sheri- dans other great comedy, is a delightful satire of manners, but 1t is not more en- joyable, not fuller of delicate delightful fancy and droll wit than is "The Rivals" And perhaps "The Rivals was never play ed when audience and company were more in touch with each other. Every seat was filled; the house was resplendent in all it's beauty and freshness, and the company itself enjoyed the play from the very start.
 Mir. Jefferson was warmly welcomed when he first presented himself in the first act; and he seemed as strong in limb, voice and manner as he did ten years ago. His face has been changed somewhat by the ad- vances of time, and this perhaps became more apparent as the play went on; but in the first act there was the same old joy ousness and happy-go-lucy manner that rendered Rip Van Wrinkle so delightful be- fore the long nap. The elderly people in the audience were delighted in seeing that their old favorite was still much the same, and the young people who saw him for the first time became his friends at once. Although every member of the company played well his or her part, and was warm ly appreciated by the audience, yet the warmest expressions were showered upon the veteran actor. At the end of the sec- ond act he was called before the curtain and in delightful little speech he express ed his thanks for the reception that had been accorded him and his company. He stated that he did not know until he came to this town that he had been honored in the naming of the new playhouse, and he was particularly happy when he mention ed the finding of his picture in 1t surround ed by the three Cupids engaged, to use his own words, ''in guarding OCT Old Joe" His speech was happy throughout, and his kind ly blessed face showed that he meant every word of it.
 In the duel scene of the rare old comedy Jefferson was very happy. He kept the audience in perpetual merr.ment. He was never better or truer or more delicious in his days of strength than he was last night in the duel scene.
 Werner Charges as Sir Anthony Absolute won esteem and applause at several points in the play, and so did Joseph Jefferson, Jr., as Sir Lucious O'Trigger. The son may yet prove chip off the old block. Miss Paget, as the undying Mrs. Walaprop, should be mentioned, for she did much to keep the
  did was well done.
 Miss Leslie, as Lydia Languish, Miss Bender, as Lucy, MT. Winters, as Faulk- land, Mir. Denham, as David and MT. Wm Jefferson, a second son, as Flag, were all excellent
 The entire performance was artistic, and the play was presented with that delicate finish which finds expression at the hands of true artists.
 There were many wishes as the people went out That the dear old man who was a contemporary of Forest and Charlotte Cushman and Edwin Booth and Barrett, and who was always an honor to the American stage, might live to return again and again to the theater that bears his name, and to the people that love him for the enjoyment that he has afforded them, and for the good that he has done in his noble career. No one can say that they were ever made one whit the worse by any word that ever fell from Joe Jefferson | lips, or by any play in which he accepted | part. May earth's choicest blessings rest | upon and cheer him.