The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-21
RICHMOND PEOPLE
HEAR GRAND OPERA
Gordon-Shay Company to Appear
at Academy This Week.
fAWCETT COMPANY AT BlJ0U
Win Present Clever Soeiety Comedy
"The Liars" First Of Week-DeWitt
Jennings in Cast-St. Ann Opens
the Week at the Academy

ST Ann, tha opening attraction at the
Academy this week, was produced two
weeks ago In Baltimore and was an in
slant and pronounced success. It is a
tale OF love. artists and Bohemia. 1t ia
o distinctly up-to-date story Of the Clyde
Fitch order. only that It contains moth
Ing cynical, and is perneated instead with
the optmism which seem to be part of
Paul Armstrong; creed. The play is
truly great one. It has in it the I'M
mistakabis throb Of human life. The
characters are natural and the Gonplica-
tons lead through several dramatic eli
makes to perfectly natural denoue-
ment Ann herself is a young artist, q
lovable but misguided girl. VINO gives her
self to a man and afterwards discovers
that she loves another. Her honesty will
not permit her to wed the man of her
final choice until She has convinced TIE
other one that she cares nothing for him
Ihis is the central theme. the story of
woman who falls and yet redeenlS her
self. of one who rails against the un-
5ust dissemination Of the social law which
condemns the woman and condones the
man. and yet concludes at last that viz
tue and goodness constitutes the only
real happiness to be attained.
The scenes OF ST. Ann are laid in New
York, London and Hawaii. Its charac-
ters are the real types to be found in the
Bohemian circles of the great English
speaking centers. and there IS, by the
way. g. charm about this Bohemia that
Is irresistible.
The cast is adequate and well chosen.
1. contains Robert McWade and Florence
Robinson with other actors and actress
ee of equal distinction
"rJnorna," which is to be given at the
Academy next Tuesday and "Wednesday
matinee and night. is the latest drama
tic work OF f. Marion Crawford. the
romaucer. who Is responsible for SO many
tales and novels of interest as we'll as
for successful plays as In the Palace of
the King" and a version Of Francesca
ca Rimini.'' which he made for Madame
Bernhard. Espy Williams collaborated
with Mr. Crawford in preparing THE
Witch Of Prague" from which 'Unora"
is Gramatized for stage use.
The plot revoires around the development
Of .Unorna' (played by Mrs Brunei high
priestess of the Temple of Goolah at Del
hi India, from a shild Of nature into a
nlatured and suffering woman. Unor-
ma" IS possessed iof g, mysterious occult
power which gives her subtle influence
over the lives Of those around her. She
is abducted and taken to Prague by
Keyorke an Arabian, who wishes to use
her mystic powers for his own ends.
Capt. Hslfnar Dreycott an English
officer, who has seen and loved her. finds
her. He in turn Is loved by Beatrice Va
ranger, an English girl.
Uncrna Is believed to be witch by
the ignorant populace and they pursue
her, forcing her to take refuge in the
Cathedral at Prague. There Beatrice
comes upon her and tauuts her, saying
that she can never gain Helmar's love
Stung to frenzy by these jibes, TN
orna" for the first time makes bad use
OF her occult powers by making Beatrice
desecrate the Christian altar. Just as
ehe ia about to do 1t, lighting strikes the
Church and UnoIna is blinded. Eelmar,
seeking her. nnds her cTouchinE IN a
corner by the altar, and agrees to take
her back to the Yogi Of the Goolah Tenn
pie. he Who can cure all Ills and heal
all wounds" The Oriental atmosphere
gives opportunity for rich costuming,
while the role Of .'Unorna' is a strongly
emotional one. calling for dramatic tall
ents Of the highest order. There is a
happy denouement to the piece.
The story Of ~ Colonial Girl the
romantic comedy in which Bertha
Creighton viii appear at the Academy on
Thursday. matinee and night is sin
oie. -
Godfrey Remsen, young American, re-
trrus from England to claim an estate
he has Inherited. On his arrival, he
f,nde that his sweetheart has Tilted him
and married q wealthy English nobleman.
ye meets in romantic fashion. young
country gill, Mollie Hedden. whom BE
rescues from the brutality OF some Bri-
fish soldiers at his own door. In despair
TT the pertidy OF his fiancee, and pleased
n dc Of floS
winsorne Mollie. he suddenly conceives
the idea OF marrying her to spite his
false sweetheart. With a girls love Of
romance and filled with gratitude. Mollie
consents
At this juncture, Lady Judith Remsen' S
old love appears, and causes an es-
arrangement between Godfrey and Mollie
by telling the young vito Of her hus-
bands relation TO herself. Inundated
and heart broken, Moilie is as clay IN tho
hands Of the designing Lady Judith who
eoavinces her that Godfrey repents Of
his hssty marriage and yearns for his old
love At the same time she causes Cod
frey to believe that his wife has com
promised herself with CaptaIn Love
lace OF the British Army. BY a trick,
she causes A-ol!ie to place in the hands
OF The Commanding General information
proving her husband to be spy Of Wash
being planned by the British, and be-
I!ering that Mollie has betrayed him. We
Asmeatly reproaches her for her treach-
cry and makes his escape.
After weeks or separation, he finally
learns Of Lady Judith's duplicity. Wild
for q glimpse Of the wife he has mis-
Judged. he returueS to his home by a
secret passage in time to hear Captain
Lovelace wager that he Will bring Mol
lie to a registering officers supper that
night and compromise her. Godfrey dis
su!ses himself as an expected English
officer, the foppish young Lord Beau
fort and attends tire supp.r party. When
his wife appears and is insulted by Love
lace. Godfrey throws off his disguise and
strikes the insolent captain in return for
the affront of his wife A duel fellows
~ which Lovelace is killed. AT this juno
ture q night alarm is sounded. Wash
ington has attacked the city with his
Liberty Boys" who burst into the room
and rescue Godfrey. The curtain falls
upon the reconciliation of Godfrey and
Mo!lie TO the inspiring strains of Yam