Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-04
s'WHEN WE WERE TWENTY
ONE" PROVED DISAPPOINTING
Small Audiences Saw Esmontl,x COM
cdy Presented by Weak Company
ut Academy Yesterday.

The name of the play presented at the
Academy of Music last night when We
Were Twenty-one.' suggested old Nat
Goodwin and pretty Maxine Elliott, but
the recollection stopped with the title.
There was nothing else seen or done on
the stage to suggest the sorrel-topped
comedian or his charming wife. Esmond's
love romance has been played here on
numerous occasions. not only by the CO.
stars who achieved success in the original
roles Of Dick Carcw and Phyllis Ericsson.
but by a road organization well. The
personnel of the company that presented
the play last evening contained no famil-
lar names. The leading parts We're es-
sayed by Richard Allen and Miss kath
lyn Williams. The latter is "a winsomc
blonde. and to her is due what little
success when We We're Twenty-One"
attained.
Allen gave a rather poor Interpretation
of the principal character He was en-
iirely too STACEY at times when no dra-
matte action was required, and when the
occasion did present itself. he was Woful
~ lacking in taking advantage of his OPP
portunity. Albert Lovern made a rather
weak and constrained Imp. while the
other members did perhaps the best they
could.
During the season of 19o1-1?O2 the Vol
unteer OrSanist" was presented through
three distinct companies, each carrying
its own special scenery aud mechanical
effects. 1t appears that in some cities
an impression prevailed that those who
saw company No. 3 or No . were not so
well treated as the play-goers who wit
messed the production by company No. ].
AS matter of fact. the companies We're
of equal merit, while the three sets of
scenery were exactly alike. The COM
panies sent out this season are made up
principally from the players who We're
present. production of the Volunteer Or
Eanist. at least in a histrionic sense,
VIII be far in advance of that of all pre-
vious ones. The organization which pre-
sents the Volunteer Organis,' at the
Academy tomorrow and Saturday is COM
pany No. !. and will present as fine cast
nu as perfect AN equipment as any at
fraction offered this year to the pub
The Gifren Company returns to this
day in Very elaborate production of
captain Swift" Haddon Chambers sue
cessful play.
The drama is in four acts. and in an
atmosphere wherein the G;ffen Companv
Us always at home. 1t is a strong. stir
ring play, with the heart interest run
n n,als all through it. 1t affords Manager
Ginen excellent opportunities for the ex-
ercise Of his genius for stage display
ahd stage management, and if the reports
from other cities are to be relied upon.
ne has not failed to take advantage Of
AT the B!jou there Will come this after
noon moor the last performance of the beaIti
Inl comedy, Peaceful Valley by the
George Fawcett Company After this
inamnee to-day the company viii return
10 DR. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" for the re-
mainder Of the week
In the playing of these two dramatic
creations Mr. Fawcett has shown p WON
aertul versatility The crowded houses
OF me present week demonstrates the
appreciation his work has met with.
Ten-1chi. the Japanese jugslcr. who
VIII head the bill at the Bfjou next week
mas introduced a new act called the mys
nc cave, which is creating widespread
comment wherever he appears. His other
sensational feats include the thumb and
Tie trick. and the enchanted Fountain
past master in his art