The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-11-12
AT THE THEATER

1t was great pleasure to Mr. Hen
ry E. Dixey's admirers in Savannah,
and they are many, to welcome him
back last night after a long absence.
Engaging, easy, delightful as ever, 1t
was pleasure that increased as the
evening passed. The play Facing the
Music" was a most entertaining COM
edy of errors, with hardly a serious
episode, and a succession of ludicrous
situations that touched the humor of
the audience, and kept interest at a
very lively pitch. 1t was just such
play as suited Mr.. Dixey admirably
and showed his quiet drollness at its
best. There was never a moment when
his mobile face was not a study in
expression.
The stage setting was fine, and to
Mr.. Dixey belongs the credit for this
excellent feature as we'll, since 1t is
managed under his personal direction.
With clever company of players such
as filled the other roles of the piece
there was nothing left to be desired.
Miss Nesbitt as Nora, 1.-THE other Mr..
Smiths DiXey's) wife" was very
clever, and Miss Green as Miss Fother-
ingay of the Bijou, gave very good.
and amusing, If exaggerated, take-off
of the soubrette in society.
One of the best roles was Joseph
Aliens Col. Duncan Smith, the other
Mr.. Smiths uncle a delightful old
gentleman of sporting procivities and
gentleman OF sporting provlivities and
a fondness for kissing his nephew s
pretty wives, even where there SEEM
ed to be more than the law allows,
in point of number. The other parts
were we'll taken.
The programme opened with a cur
tain-raiser entitled "OVer A Welsh
Rarebit," a two-part "playlet," as it
was billed. in which Mr.. Dixey ap-
peared as Grandfather Tom" and
Mr.. Scott Cooper, afterwards Ser
geant Duffell' in the comedy, as
Grandfather Dick" To those who
have seen Mr.. Dixey before only in
farce or farce-comedy it was a revela-
ton of fresh talent, and made it seem
regrettable that he had not chosen
more serious roles, instead of those
light, laughable ones that he has man
aged to make so entertaining. The
piece was a character study, merely
the chat of two old men, old friends,
over the stewing of a Welsh rarebit,
but, in the few minutes that it
took to relate it were crowded wis
dom and wit and not a little pathos
and human nature, that a less clever
actor than Dixey might have taken an
evening to tell.
Tomorrow matinee and night, 1.-THE
Fatal Wedding" will be the attrac-
ton. A full description of the play
has been given in the Morning News.
The sale of seats has been large, and
there is every assurance of large au-
diences.
Saturday matinee and night, Miss
Amelia Bingham will be seen in THE
Frisky Mrs. Johnson" The story is
that of an indiscreet wife, whose repu-
tation is saved by an affectionate sis
ter at the risk of her own. This gen
erous sister is the Mrs. Johnson of
the title-a lovely lively, audacious,
but high-minded widow-and is played
by Miss Bingham. AS usual, Miss
Bingham will provide cast of excel
lence and a sumptuous and tasteful en-
vironment. The actress-manag will
bring here the cast and production
| precisely as it played at the Princess
| Theater, New York. for three months.
The attraction for Monday night IL
Nat M Wills, the merry tramp of
displaying his peculiar talents in the
musical field, the title of his offering
being "a Son of Rest"
Next Tuesday matinee and night
Gertrude Coghlan will be seen in 1.-THE
Sword of Justice"