The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-15
GIFFEN COMPANY IN
UNDER TWO FLAGS
long Promised Production at the
Academy of Music.
DREW COMEDY AT THE CASINO
Wells Dramatic Company Enters New
Field in "The Butterflies "-Giffen
Uses Elsner's Version of Ouida's
Novel-Its Many Beauties.

81
ACADEMY OF MUsIc-Gifen Compa-
ay, presenting Under Two Flags
CASINO-wells Dramatic Company in
.The Butterflies
Comedy or drama is the choice OF sum-
saer play-goers this week. Mr. Giften, OF
HE Academy Of Music, at last gives his
s,uch-proraisen production of the dram
ttizat!on OF Quida's thrilling novel, IN
Ter Two Flags with Miss Ellington as
Cigarette" At the Casino the Nels
Dramatic Company assumes COMEDY,
,lass of play IN which it should be emil
,cnt in the presentalon % =. 1,o,,s
icht comedy, The Butterflies Both
.or,napies will be at their best IN these
,lsvs. end should aot G.sappo:rt the most
,lass Datron Mr.. Giffen has always
,een an apostle of the drama. While MI
Wells seeks 10 please with lighter mate
dal. so this week III. crucial test OF their
theories will be made.
4. the opening OF the stock season at
he Academy. Under Two rags was
canned in the press among the most
interesting possibilities. That week is
!; hand. to: what is undoubtedly the
best of oil the dramatic versions OF
sufds's famous novel is to be presented
II the IIighth-Streer playhouse by the
sifren Company this week.
All through the season eyes have been
armed toward the great drama. with lis
marvellous presentation OF romance, its
gorgeous possibilities in the way of
ee.1e.v, as the probable record-brcaker
If the wear Not only is 1t so steadily
me- consistently picturesque. but It IS 2
.ery faithful reproduction of one OF the
most popular and absorbing novels IN the
ensuagc. The Edward Elsner version
Under Two Flags follows closely the
racing incidents of the book. Not only
IRE the main scenes there presented
ssthfully followed, but much of the dia-
bsue with which the story bristles is
aiken bodily from the story and ernbod-
Id in the play. 1et ii is not episodlcs<. The
ctiop opens in BERTHE Cecil's lodgings in
london. 1t presents his faithful valet
md brings out in the visit of his brother
he forgery committed by the latter which
eads to Bertie's disgrace and fight.
The aversion of his father, who hates
DIM because he suggests Inc handsome
ace and stalwart figure of his wlfes
Id admirer is introduced: the faith and
eviction of his frind, Lord Rockingham,
ne unconlpromising money lender, and
asst. hut not least, the woman who sac
ffced him for her reputation and her
ewels-thoroug7lv a womans choice
BERTIE'S METAMORPHOS1S.
The first scene opens in the picturesque
ssorder of a British Churchman's rooms;
| closes with his flight to escape the
Eromiry of arrest. which might result
the discovery of a woulan's secret and
he blighting of his younger brothers
fe. The other acts tell the story Of
iertie Cecil's career as a Chasseur D Al
luue under the blazing sun of Algiers.
t tells how Cecil came from the extremes
luxury Incidence, indulgence. pleasure
I'D extrava gance to the extremes OF
erdship, poverty. discipline. suffering
nd toll. From life where every sense
ias gratined to a life where every pri-
ntion was endured. He had led the life
I fashion; he came where he had to bear
rithout a word the insults of q, corporal
sous lieutenant. He had been used to
rery delicacy and delight: he came where
had to take the coarse black bread
the army as a rich repast. He had
bought it too much trouble TO murmur
ntterieS in great ladies' ears: he came
here morning. noon and night the In
torable demands of rigid rules compelled
Is incessant obedience. vigilance. activi-
and self-denial. He had known moth
tg from his childhood except an atmos-
here of amusement. refinement. hrillian-
and idleness: he came where snawing
Gnger. brutaliZed jest. ceaSeleSS TOLL
EoriZed pain and pandemoniac mirth
lternately filled the measure of the days.
ii these facts are exluisitely brought
ut in the Elsner version. which is bet
.r far, because more practicable and
lore feasible than the Potter version,
bile equally picturesque and effec-
He and thoroughly as concise.
A PICTURE CIGARETTE.
Thepicture drawn by the novelist of Gig
rette.'' the Child of the Army and
a Soldier of France is faithfully por-
:ayed by the dramatist, Cigarette re-
iains and Will always remain an unique
lentity in literature. She was pretty:
he was insolent: she was intolerably
bquettish: she was as mischievous as a
.armoset: she would swear if need be.
Ike a Zouave: She could fire galloping; she
puld toss off her brandy of her vermouth
Ike trooper: She would. on occasions,
Inch her little hand and deal blow that
he recipient would not covet twice: she
iae a child of Paris and had all its
lckcdness at her fingers ends: she uouio
ng guinette songs until her hearers suffo-
ited with laughter. and she would dance
he can-caH at the Sale de Mars with
,e highest giant OF q Currassier. And
IT. with all that. she was wholly unsoil-
I: with all that she had the delicious
LAGRANGE Of youth. and had not left q
trtain feminine grace behind her, though
fe wore q vivandierc's uniform and haG
ZEN born In a baIrack. and meant to die
battle: it was the blending Of the two
lat made her piguant, Inado her mo-
,riety In her own way.
The great climax OF the book. where
cigarette gives her own life willingly te
ave BERTHE Cecil. condemned to die al
ie rising of the sun. is completely ant
satisfactorily wrought out by the dra.
atist.
PICTURESQUE LOCALE
AS for the locale OF the play, 1t Is
onderfully picturesque. with all the col.
ling Of Harouu al Raschid scattered
roadcast among Partisan fashion anc
rench routine, and the strange bizarre
,ntlict Of European and Oriental life
,read through its fabric Staff officers
re q glitter in their uniforms brown
edouins of. the desert. Sepeurs. Chas,
mrs, Zouares. contirieres. all the vari
rs OF French military life. mingled witt
black Sondans. desert kings. eastern
omen shrouded in haick and secroual
.gle-eyed Arabs. are tho characters pre-
uted and the costuming OF the piece j: