The sun., 1900-09-03
ACADEMY OF MUSIC OPENS
Miss Watson the Star at the
New Playhouse Was Born
Near Laurel, Del.
ANXIOUS TO MAKE A HIT
This Delawarean Actress Will Head
the Frye Stock Company in
Opening the Dunn 81 Wal
dron Theatre on the
Avenue.

Dunn. & Waldron's New Academy OF
Music opens for the season this after
noon, when Miss Rose Watson, sup
ported bv the Frye Stock Company, will
appear in the military drama "The Blue
and the Gray" and in the evening in
Lady lii, the Circus Queen"
The company arrived in Wilmington
on Saturday afternoon and has been re-
hearsing at the Academy ever since so
that thoroughly complete and smooth
performance can be assured.
Miss Watson is not only talented
actress but most charming young ladv
of the stage and talked very entertain
ipgly to Sun reporter who met her yes
terday afternoon at the Academy at the
close of a rehearsal.
"There is more than the usual Interest
attached to my engagement here and l
am more than anxious to make good
impression from the fact that | am a
born Deawarean," said Miss Watson
81 know that it is said that a prophet is
without honor in his own country, but
| should like to reverse that Judgment
| was born near Laurel, Dell, and re.
NAMED there until l was about 10 years
old, when my parents removed to New
OF my childhood among your farmers
peach orchards.
81 have been working very hard at re-
hearsals Tor the past two weeks, as all
OF our plays are comparatively rev,
there not being one of the old plays so
dear to companies like our own in or
repertoire. | have been very anxious to
have the costumes historically and 10
cally correct and have given a great
deal of my time to this, and without be.
ing egotistical | think ! can say that no
repertoire company has ever been so
handsomely cOstumed.
mo, cannot say that have any par
tlcular favorite among the characters |
assume. They are all strong and | like
one as much as l do another.
big changes are being made in reper-
toire companies and where few years
ago they were classed as transformers,
playing in small halls, now they are
playing at the finest theatres and where
deserving, never fall to attract the high
est class of theatrical patronage. This
has been brought about by making the
companies strong, by presenting the
latest successes, obtaining the right of
production though paying royalties,
stageing the plays handsomely and cos
tuning them correctly. Like everything
else. theatricas are progressive and those
VINO krt ~ step with that progress need
never fear failure.
what character of audiences do pre-
lei? That is rather a peculiar question,
but like most emotional actresses | have
a weakness for audiences in which ladies'
and children form the great,r part.
Ladies are more emotional and aynnpa-
tLetic than men, do you not think SO? |
at least find them quicker to grasp
situation and they seem to become more,
what shall say, why en- rappart, than
the men.
Manager Frye who was present during
the interview said that he looked for
most successful season. He had spared
no money in surrounding his star with
strong competent company and all his
scenery and costumes were absolutely
new and would be seen for the first time
during this weeks engagement at the
Academy.
Tne opening of tho season at the
Acadein, this aiterno will also mark
inc mar g=lnent OF its he~ pulley py Dunn
" Wa'dron, that of running it exclusive.
iy as a first class family theatre a,.,ii,
TO the patronage of ladies. The theat
mas Deen greatly improved and beau.
neg and when opened today its patrons
VIII ind 1t as bright, clean and shining
as newly coined dollar. Every atten-
lion possible looking to the comfort of
ladies and children will be paid by the
management, ladies and children will
ma that 1t is one of the most delightful
places in the citv to witness a clean
amusing, entertaing performance.
During this week the prices will he III
70 and 30 cents evenings, and 10 and 20
cents at the matinees. At the matinees
ladies and children will be admitted Ia
any part of the house for 10 cents.