The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-29
BRUCE CF1EsTERMAN,

Richmond theatre-goers who nave FORM
ed a strong ana by no means unreason-
able attachment for the production MADE
by Manager Giffen are looking forward
with no little interest to tho appearance
Of his latest and greatest yenture--th no
Academy Musical Comedy Company. The
organization will DO at the Academy oil
this weok ope1lng on Monday night In
'thn Immensely successful production OF
Tho Lady Slavey." 4 Il
The organization consists of forty-eight
people in all and as several weeks "ero
devoted to completing 1t q result was
obtained that Is eminently satisfactory
to the management. 1t Is to appear IN q
serIes OF successful New York musical
comedies and the, members or 1t have
been chosen with an eye to their fitness
in the two fields. |, O., musical and como
dy. IN both directions It IS said to be
unusually strong, land 1t could explode
one Oft repeated assertion that the reason
certain people are IN musical comedy Is
because they cannot sing. 5
~ MusIcally. q stronger organization has
not been seen here this season, This Is
a strong statement for the management
to make, but 1t Is made and that en-
phatIcally by both Mr.. Giffen, manager
of the company. and Mr.. I.eath. manager
OF tho Academy. The whole enterprise
is upon wide and daring plan. consid-
.ering the limited population of tho Vir-
ginla cities, for such an organization,
equipped Ms is tho; Academy Company,
would create comment even In cities OF
the larger class, such as st. Louis, Chi
cago. San Francisco. etc. @ #
Spring and summer companies are
common. but such spring and summer
companies MS the Academy Musical Com
edy Company are most uncommon,
Lyricaly, the company Is surprisingly
equipped, the chief artist being the prlma
donna. Miss Dorm de Philippe, a Dresden
China prima donna, II ever there was
one, She Is a little mite OF woman,
but she has n marvellous voice and one
instinct!vely wonders where In the world
II comes from. Miss de Filiippe was prlma
donna with the Mascagni Company. sing
Ing santuaza In CavRlerIn Rusticanna.
and the Gelsha girl In Iris" Qr!s), She
sings With equal ease in French, German.
italian and English and also speaks them
fluently rs we'll, sho has splendid
opening part In THE Lady slavey," ono
that not only displays her vocal abil-
ties, but also calls into play her unde-
nlable dramatic gifts, It would DO carry
Ing Goals TO Newcastle TO write advunce
praise OF Harry Davies, the tenor of the
company. for none In the present day
annals OF American music stand higher
than he. Joseph Phillips Is baritone
Of most pleasing personality and q fine
fresh voice full OF melody. Bessie Tame.
hill, like Mr., Davies needs no introduce
tion to anyone acquainted with the must
cal affairs OF the stage, She has earned
splendid reputation as q coincidence
who can sing. dance and net. being en-.
lowed with the true comedy instincts.
Arthur Barry is basso Of most salts,
factory vocal and dramatic accomplish
ments, and Matte MARI. mezzo soprano
OF good voice and magnificent appear
ance, In comedians the company has a
wealth OF material. Sylvester james, The
leading comedian. Is q man OF musical
intelligence. who has deftness and dis.
| tinctness Of method possessed by yer,
| few laughmaxers now before the public
! lie sings Tar better than the nsjoHt;