Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-21
FINE AUDIENCE PLEASED.
Rx John w. Avery.

d E1Aye4&s Il
BY John w. Avery.
& Sparkling with repartcc. replete with
situation. repiete with situation. bub-
ding over with clever dialogue wonder
.uily conceived and most cleverly por-
rayed Is the mummy and the Hum
ming Bird as presented by John Drew.
and his excellent company Of players. at
The Academy of Music last night. The
play served as vehicle to Introduce the
iayorite actor TO Richmond theatre-goers.
Is the occasion marked his first appear
lnce as star In this city. judging from
the large and brilliant audience tha1
crowded with lovers OF the drama, and the
Drew's fame had evidently preceded him.
Seldom. II ever has the Academy been
billed with such cultured and smartiy
dressed audience.
Dame Fashion filled the boxes. crowded
tho parquet and hung in fringe of lace
and diamonds In every nook and corner
OF the auditorium. The galleries were
crowded with lovers Of tn drama. and the.
surgtng waves broke behind the tiers of
seats even into the Hobbies.
II was such an audience that delights
alike both the actor and the auditor. 1t
WAS III III uut obcit q ~ PiSo1 80 ~
dience; such aclientele as the actor is
accustomed to face in the pretty i..-.e
Empire on Broadway, where his annual
appearances mark the beginning of the
society drama in the metropolis.
So that Drew can look back upon his
premier in Richmond with only feelings
Of the keenest ,elight and appreciation.
OF the play II can be truthfully said
that II is by far the best vehicle the
H.. hal To- he allow ~ lie
trionics. talent since he burst forth as
Q star upon the dramatic horizon. eleven
years ago.
While The Mummy and the Hnmming
Bird" is In no sense great play. IT Is
. pleasing drama. and as such will COM
mand the attention OF the thoughtful
theatre-loving public.
THEME IS NOT NEW.
While Isaac Henderson's theme Is by
no means new his treatment is decidedly
novel.
The drama is the old story. Of love, jeal-
es1sy deceit. and revenge: but so clever
~ interviewer that each situation hangs
ppon the one that has preceded It, The
Foung wife who yearns for husbands
affection. The husband uwho is so enan-
orcd with the perpiexities OF business
that In his enthusiasm he forgets that
which every woman Graves, whether she
: 10 l1dAO VI ud SIctls LIE SViSldul lOSS
OF the man to whom She has entrusted
her heart.
The suave. polished. designing man Of
the world. who takes advantage OF the
opportunity to come between the couple
and win the young wife's affection.
The almost persuaded female and the
sef n'a 10 and happy aenone are
so II was in "A Mummy and a Humming
Bird" last night
But the dramatists mode and method
OF treatment the finesse with which the
situations were drawn. the dizziness with
which the dialogue was handled-these
were the attributes that contributed SO
wonderfully toward the dramas sue
cess.
Az Lord Lumley. the uususpecting. yet
forsiring. husband Drew was natural.
painstaking. but above all, convincing.
shaded and portrayed. He made no bid
TO the heroIcs. but was content to let
The situations take care Of themselves,
.elying. more upon the dramatists skill
While Drew is essentially the same Drew
n all that he portrays.- IN that his per-
tonaity is fixed and unchanging. his
Luml'y will go down and be. accounted
one of his cleverest and best crea tion...
Cnmistakable praise is due. Margaret
Dale. the stars new leading woman.
who appeared to excellent advantage In
Miss Dale Is endowed with rare stage
presence. Nature has INDEED been kind
to her. for she is not only pretty. but
possesses a beautiful figure. While she
at times lacked ANNA ton. on the whole
her performance was pleasing and she
shared honors with the star.
BARRYMORE SCORED HIT.
The character study of Lionel Barry
more as Giuseppe the Italian organ
grinder. was one OF the pleasing bits
of the performance This young actor
gave a vivid and correct representation
OF the trying part
Guy Standing. as statuesques as ever.
gave q convincing and polished impe..
Donation Of signor D'orelu. the design
ing lover.
In fac, {, nigh, be said that the en-
various roles. The original Empire set
ting was employed In the production.
and the gowns worn during the action
of the play were marvels Of the modiste s
art.
The cast follows:
Lord Lumley. .............John Drew
signor D'orelli. Guy Standing.
Commander Lord Ronalds R. N.........
Lewis Baker
Giuseppe Lionel Barrymore.
hudson Reginald Darlington.
Markha m..............,.....R Robert Schab!e.
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