Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-01

Dronaios,.' and Lady Macbeth. as Of old
Sothern has again broken into the sa-
cred domain OF the Bard OF Avon and
is giving circus revival OF the neIan-
cholyi Dane. while Gillette promises
surprise, later on in the same role. and
threatens to portray Hamlet la Sherlock
Holmes, with rubber-so shoes. try
ing to s!euth out the murderer OF his
murdered sire. So much for the drama
and Thespians nationally.
GLANCE AT LOCAL CONDITIONS.
What OF local conditions? What hax
been put upon the theatrical table In
Richmond to satisfy the hungry cravings
of dramatic gourmands2 Has the drama
been going to the bow-wows terea bouts.
and is histriony indeed dead? Both local
houses have enjoyed fairly good patron
age In sunsh!ny and oiustery weather.
Amid winters SHOWS and summers SUM
the Electrically Inclined have Invaded the
two temples dedicated 20 art Ths Aead-
envy of Music again finds Itself on the
theatrical sea with Pilot Leath at the
helm. while the Bijou, which was COM
pietely redecorated and remodelled during
the summer months. Is still guided by tha
energetic ard popular Wells. a polite.
capable. and altogether popular staff OF
attaches are still heipna ties to those at
the head OF the two local theatres. Char.
N, w.
Mckee, more popularity known as Mac"
at the Bijou. give able assistance and
number new friends on account Of their
devotion to duty and anxiety to please.
Both houses now pride themselves In
press agents as versatile as they are pop.
ular. Hughey CORDOBA spins yards OF adj
vance notices to the local press from his
den" in the prstty little Bread-street
playhouse, while Herbert c. Duce. well
known as an able dramatic critic and an
all-round good fellow. performs journal
istic stunts for the Academy.
In the twelve months just passed the
Academy has perhaps offered a higher
class of attractions than ever before in its
history. This Is due to the fact that the
public taste herea bouts for things dra-
matte IS becoming better educated, and
yiands that once tickled the theatrical
palate as bon bonS are now LIKE worm
wood and bitter gaH.
raised In consequence. and the ''syndi-
cate" which controls the destinies of ths
drama here has at last realized that IL
must needs send better attractions into
this territory IL it would keep It's prestigA
and its dollars.
In consequence we ara getting better
productions anu stars year by year. and
at no time has this been better exempt
fed than during the season just past,
The future booking at the Academy COM
pares favorably with any city of like sizs
to richmond In the country, and while, OF
course, a mediocre attraction is schedt
uled occasionally. still this Is the lot OF
any city, and we must take the bad only
to more thoroughly' appreciate the good.
During the SUNNI er months the Giffen
Company again returned to the Acade-
my, with almost a complete roster OF new
faces and scored an artistic. II not a
financial success, In succession of en-
tertaining and well staged productions.
Manager Wells was also alert 10 the
needs Of the stay-at-hones during tho
heated term. and gave entertaining vaude-
vile bills at the pretty Casino. swept by
breezes from the lake. at prices withir
the reach of all.
When he moved his forces into town
he had almost new home OF amusement
awaiting. them on Broad street, as the
Rijou had undergone many needed re-
pairs and was in many respects. as Its
name implies. a jewel OF q playhouse
Manager Wells. with wise forethought,
broke away from vaudeville. of which tina
public mad grown tired, and provided a
succession of musical comedies and dra-
matte productions. interpreted. respec.
lively. by the Bijou Comedy organization
and the George Fawcett Stock Conpa.
MES. Both are made up Of popular IA.
vorites ard capable players. and the re-
suit was that inevitable success. artistic
and financial. has been stamped upon the
Bfjou banners.