The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-08
THE TIMES. RICHMOND VA SUNDAY DECEMBER s. 1901

other night Francis Wilson was obliged
to lower his curtain not leEs than seven
times during the progress OF "The Stroll
crs.'' owing to the outrageous uproar
made by the football enthusiastic The
good behavior OF the football boys at the;
BijouEon Thanksgiving r.ght shines out
as splendid example to their northern
brethren. ,
The first prize awarded by a Boston
paper for the best play title was award
ed "A Capitol Comedy" in which Tim
Murphy IS starring. Ii, explaining the
award the judges said: '1t fulflls the
necessary conditions: one word explains
what its about; another word explains
the character of the play; the whole sitle
is tasyEtc speak. easy to remember, and
easy to manipulate in advertisements"
i. is now, time for the name Of "side
Tracked to be changed to Never
Again
Richard Mansfield last Monday evening
entered on the second segment OF this
seasons cycle when he began his two
months run at the Herald Square, New
York.
AS for MS New York opening, it indi-
town had been watching Manshelds tour
and had noted his striking success in
"Beaucairc." or the people had made up
their minds in advance that anything
Mansfield did was too good to be missed.
From the time the sale Of seats for Mans
fields appearance began the line never
broke. SO large was the sale Of salts for
his first four weks. so few were the seats
remaining, SO many were those turning
fr,>,1 t,n {iJa1 t-a IA yS,.V..
chase. that the management decided TO
put on sale every seat for The entire
eight weeks. This was done before tho
first night. at noon last Monday, The
advance sale before New York even had
a peep at Mansfield's 'Bcaucairc" was
over 500, 600.
Then came the opening, which was the
occasion for such a. fashionable outpour-
ing as Gotham is rot accustomed to. ex-
Cept OH seven dollar opera nights. Mrs.
Roosevelt, the Presidents wife; Mrs.
Choate. wife of our Ambassador 10
the Court of ST. James, ana tho whole
social list were there. Mrs. Roosevelt.
Mrs. Choate, the Belmopts, FIagers and
Brices were with Mrs. Mansfield and the
Douglas Robinsons After the play they
all went or to the stage and were re-
ceivedI by Mr.. Mansfield.
Next day the critics had their say. The
Tribune, the Herald. the World. The
Journal, the Press. ana the evening pa
pers gave the great actor unqualified
praise There was a basis of surprise in
this Either because OF his pre-eminence
OF Of his candor to them on previous oc-
casions. the New York critics have al
ways demanded the literal pound OF flesh
from Mansfield. Two especially have de-
lighted in minimizing his merits and
magnfying those details which did not
appeal to them. But in the critical lano-
slide they were both scooped in. Mr.
Mansfield's New York opening In Beau
caire'' was socially, popularity. and crl-
tically the most sweeping success he has
ever had.
One Of the musical bits Of Nixon &
Zin:meIman's production of the London
Gayety Theatre success" The Messenger
Boy" at Days Theatre, New York, is a
song rendered by James 7. Powers. May
Robson and several principals. entitled
Have You Seen My Cat?' This song has
attracted such wide attention it has even
led to practical jokes being played OF, Mr..
Powers. A week or so ago a. rival come
dian row playing in New York, thought
to have Il little fun at Mr.. Powers eS--
pense and put an advertisement into the
leading newspapers. requesting persons
owning fighting cats TO bring them for
sale at 4 matinee performance to the
stage door OF DAYS Theatre Result:
The theatre was actually sturn1ed by a
Large number of people who broGght cats:
oil various co!ors and markings for Mr..
Powers inspection He was greatly an
moved by the opportunities Of the cat
vendors Mr. Powers is now asSiduously
PLAYING the part of Sherlock Holmes OH
the Rialto. trying to discover who turned
loose on him the horde OF cat-venders.