Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-11

oS local tnea1flCda pulse was at q
very low ebb last week, and 1t looked for
time ss II the patient was In extremis.
There was a dearth Of really what might
be termed meritorious attractions at both
theatres and in fact two OF the worst
elbows seen here for many years, were
offered at the Academy and BiJou. re-
snectively. At the former house an ag-
ksGaSson OF transformers appeared We'd
nesday evening in play, or alleged play,
known as the Jolly american Tramp -
II there was anything Jolly in connection
with the performances. the company OF
tie-walkinE actors" ma mayed to con-
ceal the fact as effectively as a magician
conceals white rabbits. and various other
articles about his person. The play was
Interestingly tiresome. and Just why the
local management should have foistered It
upon an unsuspecting public. is past my
comprehension.
People who direct things theatric here
about have right to know the cf1ara cter
of the offerings they put before the pub
lie, Plays Of the character of the "Ameri-
can Tramp" and Looping the Loop, :.
should be rightfully relegated to
water tank towns, where Uncle
Tom Shows and ten. twenty and
thirty combinations are seen only
several times during season. Rich
mond is not an .-opery house" stand. al
though casual visitor to the city last
week might have Judged SO from the
three sheets that adorned the dead walls
announcing the attractions at the local
theatres
In the light OF the ..Jolly American
Tramp" and Looping the Loop 1t is
about time to call halt While 1t is
true that the attractions booked at the
two local theatres as rule are good
the local managers would not only do
themselves. but the public, justice by clos
Eng their theatres and letting them re-
cnain In stygtan darkness. whenever such
rank aggrega tons az the two above nam
ed plays apply for booking. Had it not
been for Creatore's delightful music at
The Academy Monday evening, and the
return OF Otis Harlan, Little Chip, Agnes
Rose Lane. and other members Of the
Biton Comedy Company, in Hoyts "a
Eontented Woman. the latter part of
The week. the drama hereabouts would
have gone to the proYerbial bow-wows.
Methinks i sec better, things upon the
! theatrical horizon the coming week The
romantic actor. Otis Skinner, and the
charming young comedienne. Kathryn
Bidder. are announced for the Academy.
while the rural drama, THE Village Post
master play that has met with great
epCCSSS III past Seasons, Will also De pre-
rented at the same House. This certainly
angurs well for the drama locally, and 1t
Is to be hoped that the public will stamp
merit with their approval.
The play at the Bijou has something to
do with Peck and his mother-in-law.
Just what the play is. is an, x In the
equation. II Is described by the press
agent as hodge podge OF music. wit. and
pretty girls in parti-colored silks and alb
previated skirts. We will wait and see.
An unusual pleasure is promised the
lovers OF legitimate stage art In Rich
nond when Otis Skinner returns in one
Of the new plays OF the sea son-..La-
zarre'-will be presented at the Academy
of Music Tuesday night and matinee.
Both play and actor are worthy OF seri-
GUS interest. Mr.. Skinner holds place
quite apart from the average entertainer.
having come to the front rank OF actors
by hard work and unusual ability. after
q long and faithful apprenticeship Those
who saw him years ago as chief support
OF Mod5eska. In The Merchant OF Ven.
Ice" and later In his own company pre-
Eenting The Kings JESTER learned to
count on him for intelligent workman
ship.
His admirers. who saw him here some
years ago In Prince Otto" and his later
brilliant production OF Francesca Da
Rimini.' were not disappolnted In his
work. no matter how high their expecta-
tons were. He has always had an en-
thus.ast!c following, and OF late years
that following has been considerably