The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-31
AT the Theatres.



Heralded as an immense London sue
cess, fresh fro a run of two years at
the Gaiety Theatre, THE Messenger
Boy headed by the inimitable Frank
Deshon, appeared to fair sized audience
att the Academy of Music last night 1t
failed utterly to make Il serious impress
sion. and is about as poor can be.
Like most English musical comedies,
the play is not funny. the lines fail to
sparkle, and the lack of wit or humor is
quite noticeable. OF course there is no
plot to the play, and when 1t was put
forth, its sole purpose was to amus< the
people In London it may have been re-
garded as a success along this line. but
in Richmond it was different. There's
simply nothing to it. There's differ
ence. q decided difference, between the
English idea of the funny and ridicu-
lous and that of the average American.
Frank Deshon has been seen in Rich
mond upon previous occasions and never
before has he failed to please. With THE
Brownies he proved conclusively that
he is a comedian of the first rank, while
in light operas he has established rep
utation for himself. Consequently the
people. those who only knew him by
reputation. were surprised at his work as
THE Messenger Boy last night. It fall
3 ed to catch the audience, and his rep"
suffered as a consequence.
The little comedian exerted his best eff
forts to provide nlirth, but ne didn't have
the lines. The part was played for all
it was worth. and the management made
no mistake in engaging Deshon as the
leading comedian. Otherwise the play
would be much greater frost. He was
badly handicapped by the vehicle with
which he attempted to amuse his audi
ence.
The supporting company is fair. the
girls being prs,sy and their voices being
strong and well trained. But the play Is
poorly staged. and frequently the char
acters acted as if they were automatons.
coming on and going off the stage like so
many sticks.
MSS Ida Gabrielle. as Rosa" and E..
H O'Connor. as Captain Pott.'' Of the
steamship Shark, made some little i'm
preston. their work being of the first
class. Doubtless both are CAPABLE and
with stronger production and brighter
lines, they would have proved themselves
to be really clever artists.
In ARIZONA, which will be produced
at the Academy tonight and tomorrow.
1na tinee and night, Mr.. Augustus Thomas
has written what critics and public have
pronounced a great dramatic
success. It teens with life and action,
the dash of cowboy froics and military
duties. while the atmosphere is so subtle
and real that one can almost catch tie
scent of the sage brush and cactus and
feel the sting of the alkali dust in ones
nnstrils. An essentially human play,
with romance and sentiment.
there is witha! a virile force in "Arizona's
that imparts thrill to every word and
action. while the climaxes are surprises.
with skill that disarms antic-
ination.
But ..Arizona' Is humorous as well as
human. and behind each tear there turks
a laugh. The scenery and dressing Of the
play are not. only beautiful and impress
sive. but wonderfully complete and ac-
curate, even to the minut test detail, while
the superb cast musters a long roll OF
the best artists on the American stage.
Il Kate Claxton. the famous emotional
star will appear here at the Academy
matinee and night. in her great
$ cceas. THE Two Orphans which is
as we'll known as any play now before
the public. The play has lost ncne Of its
popular favor. as its revival this set
son has met with unusual success. Miss
Claaton is said to be the same Louise
whose feigned blindness has riyeted the
a,tertion of the theatre-going public for
such a long and successful period. a full
and complete scenic production Is car
RED. The sale OF seats opens to-day at
the box office.
A notable revival announced for this.
sen son rs that Of BARLEY sCampbell.ss.".Afy
which will be seen at the Aead-
,:rnys for two performances, commanding
Tuesday matinee & Partner. g. white