Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-11
An1uSefnentS

The hnal week OF the theatrical season
OF 1902 is at hand. and with It comes
Americas greatest actor, Richard Mans
field, whose appearance here on Tuesday
night in his new play. "Beaucaire," will
be the eliminating event Of one Of the
most brilliant seasons known in the local
history Of the drama. It is a matter OF
regret that Mr.. Mansheld's engagement Is
for so brief a period as to give him an OPP
pOrtunity OF presenting Il but a single
time. So great is the demand for seats
that many who would otherwise avail
themselves Of the privilege OF seeing this
really great artist. WILDE prevented from
doing so, OF course. there are a number
Of seats left. yet they are the least de-
sirable ones in the theater and there are
many who would rather remain away en-
tirely than be compelled to view the per
formance from an undesirable point Of van
tage.
The last week in local theatrical circles
proved somewhat more pleasant in an
ticlpation than 1t did in realization. On
paper It looked like one OF the best Of the
season. but aside from the performances
OF John Drew in THE Second in Command"
and Blanche Walsh in La Madeleine"
It was a disappointment. Both Mr.. Drew's
play and his company were excellent, and
likewise both exceeded the most s~anguine
expectations Of his friends, as did he him
self In the part OF the British cavalry Of
hcer. Major Bingham. Miss Conquest and
Mr.. Standing shared the honors Of the sew
eral performances equally with the star.
and altogether the engagement was one OF
thu most satisfactory in every way OF any
OF the present season. Kathryn Kidder,
whose portrayal OF the name part In Mad
anne Sans Gene here some seasons aco and
that OF Lady Teazel in T School for
Scandal with the james, idder-Ward
combination left such pleasant memories
with those who saw either OF them that
naturally her coming was anticipated with
not a little delight. This was the most
pleasant part Of her engagement, for her
play and company proved to be lamentably
weak and although her efforts were those
or such an artist as she really is, yet
they could not raise the performance above
the level OF medlocrity. OF Miss Blanche
Walsh's engagement there is little to add
to what has already been said in the gen.
eral criticisms. Janice Meredith" is a
part not for Miss Walsh. She is above
such a triaing thing as this silly little
Ford heroine. Neither is the play one be-
fitting the ability OF a star of her mag
nitude. La Madeleine is a part more
In her line. although 1t does not give her
an opportunity TO display the fullest limit
OF her power and ability as tragedienne.
Miss Walsh has been most unfortunate In
securing a vehicle, suitable for the proper
display OF her talent this season. Once she
does get a play that fits her style Of acting
perfectly and her rise to the position OF a
world-famous tragedienne will be rapid.
Until that time transforming is likely to
be her vocation in the theatrical world.
The bill at the orpteum last week-the |
final one Of this theater's season-was one
OF the many good ones of the year and
while the attendance was small. owing per-
haps somewhat to the pleasant weather |
which gave people an opportunity of spend
ing their evenings out OF doors, those who
did attend we're amply repaid for the even
Ing spent. The season just closed has been
one OF the most profitable, as we'll as other
wise successful. of this theater's existence,
and while good vaudeville acts have been |
scarce throughout the entire country, the
orpheum company has kept up the standard
Of its attractions remarkably we'll. Carl
Reiter, who came to the city at the OPEN
Ing OF the season last September almost
a total stranger to take the management
Of the theater, has proved a most efficient
man for the place. He has made a host
OF triendS Dy MS courteous treatment or
the patrons of the Orpheum and the bust.
ness like manner Of conducting the theater
and the announcement that he is to return
to the city with the opening of next season
in September, to occupy the same position
will be welcome news to all. AS has been
previously announced in The Bee, the
theater will undergo a complete renovation
and redecoratlon during the summer months
and will be reopened on September 81, prac-
tically as fresh and clean as when 1t was
new.
A striking example Of the forgetfulness
OF the theater-going public OF this country
is shown In the fact that Madame Helena
Modjeska was allowed to close her long and
honorable stage career under virtually OBJ
scure and trivial circumstances one night
last week In Orange, N. j., and this de-
spite the fact that Modjeska has done per-
haps more during the period OF her sue
cess. to popularize the heroines of Shake
speare in this country than any other &C
tress. Her repertoire OF these parts in
cluded Lady Macbeth, Cleopatra, Ophelia,
Constance, Katherine, Portla. Juliette and
Beatrice. The Brooklyn Eagle says. edi-
torially, in speaking OF .his matter: at
Is a shame to New York that such an ao-
tress, one OF the three or four greatest
artists Of her time, should be allowed to
say farewell at Orange. N. j. She should
have n great farewell New York perform !