The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-17
1t tie theatres.

It closes with lynchlng bee.
There have been many melodramas Mt
the Bijou this season, but nothing quite
SO absorbing or SO thrilling as cat Grip
pie Creek" which holds the boards of
that theatre this week.
It bulks with every kind of sensation.
1t not only makes itself heard-lt screams
and last night it was received with roars
OF excitement. There Is a strong comedy
interest in the play: two Of the wlckedest
Villains ever trotted out for stage pur-
poses. an ideal hero, an exquisite hero
inc. whimsical negro. faithful and de-
voted Indian, callous and sinful Next
can. and about the meanest white man on
earth.
Thrills, pathos. laughter, tears and end
less excitement can be found in this story
OF the mining district Of the West. Last
week 1t broke all records at the CRANKY
Iheatre. In Norfolk. and 1t bids fair to
rcpeat the achievement in this city.
Tho piece Is lavishly mounted and It
IS capably acted by a company that Is
we'll balanced. To consider the play from
technical standpoint would be absurd.
1t simply deies criticism when 1t draws
down the widest plaudlts, the most vo-
c!ferous enthusiasm which has, perhaps.
ever been witnessed In the pretty Broad
Street theatre
There will be matinee and night per-
formances to-day.
Hermann the Great. a favorlte enter
talner Of magical phenomena. will appear
ut the Academy to-day, matinee and
night. Aside from his wonderful seight-
cf-hand feats he has secured in Europe
several sensational illusions, among
which arc the princess Mahomeda." a
most mystifying illusion: Voyage In
Simultaneous" q Chinese mystery, one of
the most talked about tricks Of tho Ash
alc conjurers. He has also several OF his
cwn invention. He will be accompanied
by the musical Goolmans. an artistic duo
Of musicians, who play the latest popular
selections, ranging from grand opera to
raEtime. on numerous musical instru-
rEents.
Tho scenic production given "Swect
Clover" which will ho given at tho
Academy tomorrow, matinee and night,
Is one OF the most elaborate ever taken
on tour and requires specially con-
structed car for its transportation. Ten
of the latest improved calcium lamps
for stage lighting arc also carried to lend
realism to the sunset. moonshIne. fire
light and tableauX effects with which
the play abounds.
The first act Is an exterior and repre-
scnts Farmer Eolcombe's" pretty Con-
necticut home With Its beautiful flow
ers and wdespreading oaks which shell
ter the dooryard and extend a welcome
to the visitors Of the Holcombe farm.
The sun has set leaving a crimson glow
In the horizon. the tnkle of the COW
bells grow dim. crlckets chlrp and fires
flies warn that peaceful night Is coming
on.
The scene changes In the second act to
the beautiful Queen Anne drawing room
of Mrs. Emmett's New York mansion.
faithful reproduction of one OF the most
rft ns,kv nAtt,
by an architect and executed by n multi
millionaire, the original OF which ex-
lists to-day on Fifth Avenue,
r. Melville Bakers dramatic arrange
ment OF the "I'oXy Grandpa" cartoons
Will hold the stage of the Academy for
three nights. beginning Thursday next.
This piece, which is described as a ''mu-
sical SNAPSHOT and play for young
people OF all ages" has met with distinct
success wherever presented Joseph Hart
and Carrie De Mar head the company
engaged In the production.