Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-30
AUDREY IN NEW YORK,
The CHURCH SCENE PROMISES TO
Mako LOTS OF MONEY.
GRAYCE SCOTT; MRS. OSBORN.
at the swasser play
house which Induced the Little
Actress to Leave More Fully De-
scrlbed.
scribed.

scribed.
NEW YORK, November 29.-(Special)-
In Audrey" the dramitization of Mary
Johnston's novel of that name. which had
its premier in Richmond the 18th, and
was put on at the Madison Square the
atre on Monday night, Liebler & co. have
introduced a scene deliberately calculat-
ed to arouse as much discussion and
criticism among Protestant churchsoers
as the character of the Pope in The
Eternal Guy" has among the Catholics.
If the criticism or Remuneration Of the
scene becomes widespread and attracts
comment from press and pulpit, the mem
bers OF the L1epier firm will hide snugiy
in a secluded corner Of the box once
and punctuare the juggling OF coin IN
their co1rers by staccato laughter, for
this is precisely what they confidently
expect.
Nnen the curtain arises on the third
act the interior of church is disclosed.
The Rev. DR.. Eliot, p.aye by Forrest
Robinson, occupies the pulpit In the
congregation are Audrey and the Kew.
Gideon Darden, impersonated by Eleanor
Robson and George Woodward. respec-
lively. OulluS MS OlSSOuA sc Inv ASASAS
10 the immortality OF Audrey and de-
scribes her as 'wanton." The fright
ened Audrey shrinks in corner of her
pew and when Eliot has reached the
most vehement point In his remarks,
Darden springs from his seat and, sfak-
ing his fist towards the pulpit. shouts:
You lie" The curtain falls while the
congrega ton is in an uproar.
Liebler & Co. were very careful to
omit any mention OF this scene in the
advance notices sent out about the pro-
duction. They wished the people to feel
distinct shock, the critics to meet a
surprise, the effect of which might be
deadened by any previous hint. Now, II
the clergymen and editorial writer's all
over the country Will lay on the cudgels
and give Audrey" a sound beating.
Liebler & GO. will consider such action
as a distinct favor.
Mrs. Osborns Play House. the most
unique theatrical venture in this city. or
in this country, in fact, entered upon the
second stage OF its career last week with
the first performance of the musical
comedy, Fad and Foily, with Blanche
Ring and Harry Conor in the leading
roles.
The Play House has had more up and
downs in the two months Of its existence
than generally falls to a theatre in an
ordinary lifetime. 1t was conceived as
place OF exclusive entertainment for
the Smart Set, and for this purpose is
happily situated. being in Forty-fourth
street. just off Fifth avenue, and within
a quarter of block of Sherry's and Del
monico's.
Mrs. Robert Osborn, promoter of the
enterprise, is one of the chief costumers
of the -Four Hundred" She has dress
making establishment on Fifth avenue,
across from the waldorff-Astoria. She
had her first experience as an amusement
caterer in giving musicales in the hy-
phenated hosiery to the sWagger ele-
ment.
When Mrs Osborn leased the Berkeley
Lyceum, rechristened it the Play House,
and announced that she would soon be
ready to fit society with plays as wei!
as tailor-made dresses and evening gowns,
Broadway wondered whom she would en-
gage as manager. The theatrical ais
trict did not imagine that she would try
to carry on the business details herself.
But she did. and the result was the
greatest number of curious entanglements
which ever clustered in and around a
theatre. Any one without the grit and
determination Of Mrs. Osborn would
have given up long ago in despair and
disgust.
But she held to it, and now looks to be
we'll on the road to success. She had to
call in a professional producer at last,
TO help her out. Kirke La Shelle lent a
strong and sure directing hand in getting
Fad and Folly started, but sole man
agement is now back in MRS. Osborne
hands.
Her inaugural play was given the
amazing title Of Tommy Rot It was
an absurdly primitive effort by Rupert
Hughes and Stafford Waters. The COM
pany, too, was woefully inadequate. 1t
contained no one of more than local re-
puta ton, except the clever Hengler Sis
tiers, dancers, and Blanche Ring.
OBJECTIONS from the ranks began al
most with the opening. The Henglers,
disappointed because the rich young
FOUNDERS. OF whom the audience mainly
was composed. cas-. adrniring giancers at
others of the cast. resigned in a huff.
Grayce Scott, Mrs. Giffen, who is now
playing in Richmond. left because she
said scons of the n1oneyed aristocracy
were allowed free run of the dressing
rooms Flirtations between girls on the
stage and gilded youths IN the auditor
Eiun. became so ..agrant and scandal was
so Imminent. s. that Mrs. OSBORN found
something would have to be done.
She issued strict orders against men
going behind the scenes. and commanded
the actresses to mask the baty..ies OF
their eyes while before the footlights.
Frederick Gerhard and Jackson Gourand.
SttTf1h srnllers''ss known on two continents