Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-14
MS READING is SUPERB.

stage Pictures. and the COSTUME
ing wa. Historically Correct
- . com.tock and other Members
OF Cast We'll Fitted for Respec-
tive Roles.
.-The throne of love that stands on rocky
firm. fast and true. and everlasting
loyal
Ehal, through, all ages, firm as Christ's
own cross.
asa through the fire and cast aside tho
.-dross.'
The name of Otis Skinner and the ro-
mantle drama are SO inseparably con-
,ected that the mere mention Of the one
uvoluntarily brings to mind the other.
It was so at the Academy. last night,
when that popular actor appeared in
frama tization of Mary Hartweil Gather
soas's book. .'Lazarrc." The stage has of
sate been surfeited with so-called book
plays" many of which have completely
fallen down IN their efforts to correctly
soveIist.s Imagination. Mrs Catherwoed's
story has enjoyed widespread popularity,
both on account of the human interest
story Il tells, and the romantic coloring
given to the characters introduced there
q.
Mr. SINNERS dran1atization of La
fa1re'' has departed In great many re-
Spects from the story OF the authors con-
ception He has separated, as it were,
HE wool from the web. and only bare
skeleton Of the theme remains.
SINNERS BEST EFFORT
AS production 'Iazarre; ranks with
The best efforts of Mr.. SINNERS notable
career, which covers period Of years.
It is series Of pictures deity painted.
hinged with all the local color and en-
,ircnment demanded in a proper and cor
rect portrayal Of the story. The six sets,
which are crowded into five acts, trans
port the audience from New York State
on the shores of Lake George, to the
palace Of the Tullieries, during the regime
Of Napoleon /. a visit TO Russia is then
made, and we arc again transported to the
States to LaZarres Wisconsin home at
Green Bay. Certainly Jules Verne never
cxcelled In the globe trotting exploits OF
Phineas Fogg. covering a tour Of the
world in eighty days. such great achieve
ments as 'LaZarre" and Mr.. Skinner
cover in a period of two hours and q
half. So that from geographical stand,
point. and TO the lovers Of topogra ply
this new play ought to appeal as none
other ! have seen In recent years.
While several hairs might be split in
critical analysis of the play. notably
the transition Of the half-breed and semi
educated child of the forest In the first
act. to the polished. diplomatic and sword
tfrusting courtier of the second still the
play In Its entirety is one which will ap-
peal to the majority of lovers Of the
drama, and might be stamped as a nota-
Bile achievement in the history Of the
tage.
THE STAR WAS FoRcEFUL.
SINNERS Lazarre IS a forceful polished
Ind altogether painstaking effort He not
,nly looked. but acted the role in all Of
Us varying changes. His reading was su-
verb and his acting convincing. He
showed the mate feeling necessary to a
correct portrayal of the difficult charac-
ser study.
While the play, possibly. did not af-
ford him the scope for the display Of his
distrionic talent at did Francesca di Ri
mini. in that 1t lacked the powerful eli
makes OF the latter, still Lazarre is not
lacking in action. II fairly teens with
force and color from beginning to end.
Mr.. Skinner was assisted by Miss Nan
nette Comstock, who appeared to advan-
tage In the role Of Annabal de Chaumont.
and while this young woman is not In
any respect great actress, her career
has been marked by q succession OF pleas
ing representations. and the role she as
sumes in .'Lazarre'' will be remembered
with pleasure, The other members OF the
cast were admirably fitted for their re-
specttve roles The play was magnih-
Gently SET, and the costumes were as
beautiful as they were historically cor
rect
4 This new effort Of Mr. SINNERS no,
only shows him to be an actor Of the frs,
rank. but playwright of no mean ability
and it is safe to predict that la
zarre" will receive the endorsement Of the
critics when II is given it's first produc.
ton in New York early In March.
II the stage had more actors like Skin.
ner and more plays like 'Lazarre." /,
would be that much better off.
j. ". A.
The only thing necessary to Insure the
success Of Peck and His Mother-in.
Law Is to change the name. as the play
at the Bitou is go from start to finish
i expected to see sort of .'Peck's Bai
Boy" conglomeration Of nonsense. bu1
instead | saw coterie of pretty girls II
apSt Sf1oICu Shli - dilu iuu1i-COtOIGu COS
tunes singing catchy melodies.
All OF the songs were, as q rule, new
which In itself is enough to Recommend
the show. especially when they are sung
as they are by this company.
Peck and His Mother-in-Law'' con
tains just enough plot to hold 1t to
gether. The comedians are humorou:
and the lines bright and witty
j. G. Mach was inimitable as .:Mothel
Dear while Ned Monroe as Peck man
aged to keep the audience convuisee
witch laughter. Special praise is du,
Miss Vennie Henshaw. who sssaYed tn,
part of the maid. She is pretty. Winsome
and altogether attractive. The dancins
OF the Sisters Fa ust was a Tea ture. /,
fact II can be said that the whole cas-
was well balauced. The comedy wa:
beautifully Staged. and the light effect.
We're well managed,
No one who really enjoys a good laugh
should miss seeing Peck and Hi!
Mother-tn-Law'' at the Ejjou this week
The usual matinees will be given.
Perfection OF stage detail, tasteful dis
elimination. and liberality In scenic
equipment. the best forms of adjunots
both In the gowns Of its women and Tx
sartorial rogues Of its men. are al
i pledges of the production which Manager
Jules Murry makes for An Eye FOL
= @