The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-16
AT THE THEkTER.

Because She Loved Him So was the
attraction at the Theater last night and
the audience, while not large, was ex-
tremely appreciative and enthusiastic.
And rightly SO, too. for the play was one
OF the best of the season and deserved a
larger audience.
The interest of those In the audience
Who knew of their presence. was divided
between the play and Mr.. w. X. Wander
bllt and party, who occupied seats in one
OF the boxes.
The play itself is from the pen of that
master playwright, William Gillette. It
Is one of the prettiest and most pleasing
httle comedies that has been produced in
years. II is so pure and cle3n-something
TO De commended in these days of French
farces and lascivious pieces-and there is
such a sweetness running through it.
The title is descriptive of the play. The
story tells of the life and troubles of
young married couple, and alb the trou-
bic is brought about through the insane
and foolish jealousy of the wife-"Beceuse
She Loved Him So" There is no strain
ing of the story or the plot and it is all
just as natural as life.
The play was presented here last sea-
son by almost the identical company,
which is excellent. Clara Dickey, as the
jealous young wife. was splendid in her
role. and Thomas David, as Oliver West,
the loving and devoted husband, was man
ly and forgiVing.
W. H. Turner and Effie German gave
picture of happily married old couple
that was really beautiful and their at
tempt to reconcile the young couple by
quarreling themselves was very humor-
Gus.
One of the best pieces of acting was done
by r. C. Turner, who. in the character
of Tom, the headstrong young chap, who
wanted to show the Dean his prospective
father-in-law, what a peaceable family
his was, did extremely clever work.
AT the time of the formation OF Cole &
Johnson's big company in "A Trip to
Coontown," which will be seen at a matt
nee and night performance to-day, there
was considerable talk of how different it
was TO be from all that had gone before.
The public, not unnaturally, perhaps, in
CURED somewhat doubtingly how, after
all, one colored show could differ from
another. Cole & Johnson have positive
opinions on this subject. Their idea OF
"A Trip to Coontown," is that it must,
in a musical way, have all the value of
OPERA that it must exceed in novelty any
lHluS huUNL III @NduueNlleS Indl II HuSl
retain only a tinge of the picturesqueness
of the plantation; that it must please the
ear by vocal and orchestral excellence;
must surprise and delight the eye by the
beauty OF its costumes and stage settings,
and must astonish the mind by the abso-
lue novelty of its special features and the
spectacular character OF it's finale They
believe, in fact, that "a Trip to Coon
town" such as they have lnaugurated,
should draw all that is best from any form
of entertainment known to the stage,
uniting them in pot-pourri of up. to-date-
ness-all should go with a dash, rapidity
and sparkle of the ideal farce comedy.
Eric Hope. who makes his first appear
auce in this city Monday night in Jerome
X. Jeromes famous comedy 1.-THE Coun-
cillor's Wife," will be accorded hearty
welcome. The career of the Earl of Var
mouth is full of interest. George Francis
Alexander, Earl of Yarmouth, is the eld-
est son of the Marquis and Earl Here
ford. He is scarcely IS, and has Travelled
extensively. He was formerly lieu
tenant in the Third Battalion of the Black
Watch. Two years ago ne went to Aus
tralia, but not liking the country he re-
turned to England. A year ago last sum
mer he came to America and Immediately
was taken up in society, where he be-
came q great favorite. To show his APP
probation of the many courtesies that
have been shown him by his many Amer
lean friends, he consented to arrange
theatrical entertainment for, the benefit
OF the Newport Hospital. Gilbert's Gre
atures of Impulse was selected as the
chief feature of the programme. His sue
cess was the foundation for most in
terestiug career that has since followed.
Dainty Anna He'd and her company are
to be seen next Tuesday night in "Papa's
Wife" The appearance of Miss Held in
this musical comedy by Harry B. Smith
and Reginald De Koven is in every re-
spect a brill ant success. Miss Held in the
title part, is more charming than ever,
with her dainty beauty and winning
ways. has developed her comedy ia erts
to such an extent that she is now ranked
as one of the leading condolences in her
line of work
Eric Hopes leading lady is the pretty
and talented sister of Henry Z. Dixey.
Miss Dixey has many of the qualities
that made her brother popular.