The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-28

On the occasion of the important New
York first night Miss Adams voice was
painfully weak and her enunc;ation SO in
distinct that during the whole of the great
mirror scene scarcely word uttered could
be heard by the audience. The real hits
of the performance seem to have been
made by Edwin Arden as Metternich, Ida
Waterman as the young dukes mother, and
J. H. Gilmour as the old sergeant.
1t was confidently expected that with
such popular actress as Miss Adams the
new Rostand play should have attracted a
representative first night audience-such
gathering as Richard Mansfield Invariably
draws on a first night nowadays. But
the absurd stories that Mr.. Frohman's
press agent gave to the newspapers, stat
ing that would-be purchasers remained up
all night in line at the ticket office of the
theatre. had the opposite effect of what
was intended. and many who would have
gladly attended the opening performance
were frightened off. Not seat could be
obtained for love or money during the lat
ter part OF the week, and yet on Monday
night the spectators in front of the the
atre had their hands full of choice reser-
vations-at 81 and S. apiece. But for the
first time in New York's theatrical history
the tbeatrcgoers of Gotham refused to pa
tronize the spectators and be buncoed.
of the gentlemen with punches of tickets
in their possession were heard in the VI
cinity OF the Knckerbocker until 10
o'clock At that hour an excellent seat
could be bought for 30 cents.
The audience was slow to arouse Itself.
and it was only at the end of the fourth
act when Miss Adams received a number
of curtain calls. that there was any great
enthusiasm, except in one of Mr.. Gilmour's
ha vbota 10
into spontaneous applause. The last act fell
fat-just as it did on the occasion OF the
first performance at Baltimore. a week
eariier-and there was only one curtain
call at the end of the piece. Charles Froh-
man has been unusually lavish in the pro-
duction Of the play, which, as a play. is
said to BIO better even than Rostand's
earlier work. "Cyrano de Bergerac." but
the unanimous verdict OF knowing theat-
rical writers OF the metropolis is to the ef-
feet that even Miss Adams stanchest ad-
mirers-and there is no native actress who
has more-are forced to admit that the
role Is much too big for her.
The management of Mildred Holland,
whose new play. Aria was iris d at the
Columbia Theatre. this city last season.
and which will be seen in some OF the
larger cities of the country under new
name InlS year, HIS III upon Il uONSl du-
vertisiag scheme which is no less than
furnishing accident insurance to several
hundred newspaper writers on theatrical
matters, free of any cost, whatever.
The dramatic editors of the principal
cities throughout the country found
among the voluminous press notices
that crowded their nail last Wednesday
morning somewhat imposing looking
envelope, suffering considerably from
embonpont which upon opening. dis
closed card that was on one side full
length portrait of Miss Holland. while
upon the reverse side is n $500 accident
insurance policy. Accompanying the pol
Icy was the following note:
Dear Sir: l enclose you herewith little SOU
venir which gives you one hundred dollar ac-
cident insurance for period of one year, on
condition that you affx your signature, as pro-
vidcd in the policy. 1t is Miss Hollands desire
to ensure all the dramatic writers in this country
against accident. and to Shield them against all
harm. as n compliment for the many Kind words
of praise which have been written in her behalf
during the past seasons Very truly yours
EDWARD C. WHITE, Manager.
There is no clause in the insurance
policy SO thoughtfully provided by Miss
Holland and her manager. that provides
tina. the benefits shall become void in case
reviewer gives the rewritten Aria
bad notice, which is very certain to occur
If the piece has not been greatly improved
since * was mutually viewed in this city.