The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-17
The Season Is TO Open at the
Academy Tomorrow.
miss HOBBS" THE BILL
The Title Role to be Played by Miss
Grayce Scott, Such Favorite
Here-Mr, George Howard
Leading Man.

lightly turns to thoughts Oh Aofe' iiAa'
dainty little couplet might we'll be para
ptrased, SO far as Richmond Is concern
ed, by saying that, I'm the spring the
thoughts OF Richmonds amusement seek
ers turn longngly toward the return or
the Giffen Company"
For the past three years this organiza-
ton, differing each season In Its person
mel but following always the original
policy, and being conducted under tho
same direction. has occupied position
all It's own and one which has grown TO
be altogether unique. 1t Is not necessary
to recount The former experiences. dif-
f1culues, and triumphs Of the different
organizations which have appeared under
the nane Of the Glffen Company since
history 80 recent and 80 remarkable Is
fresh In every mind.
With the waning OF the regular season
each year, he coming of the stock COM
pnny has been looked forward to and
tho present spring has been no exception
to the rule. Believing that public taste
had changed somewhat, and that the mu-
steal comedy form OF entertainment was
the one most likely ITO appeal to Its former
stock company clientele. the Academy
mana cement offered as its spring land
summer attraction one OF the best Or
ganizations Of this character which had
ever been seen In this territory. 1t was
q company OF tho highest excellence and
that 1t contained the elements that would
ensure popularity has boon concluslve!y
proved since 1t left the virginia ncld.
Although It's success arustically IN Rich-
mond was not questioned, the u nId'ins
barometer in tho theatrical business, the
hor office, proved that Richmond, NJ
lonst. had not followed in the wake OF
the general amusement seeking pupllc.
Even during the appearances OF the lliu-
steal company there were many enquiries
regarding the stock company, ana .i'e.s
seemed to be a general desire LOT us
return. The manager who endeavors 70
i combat public preferences profits neitner
in reputation nor IN pocKet, anu IL coit
sequence the musical company was pooK-
cd elsewhere and arrangements itliin et
ate,v consummated to form an cntertnln-
ment which tho public seemed most TO
OPENING AWAITED.
.rh;ss change was effected very suddenly,
and the time Intervening between the dh.e
~ the new arrangement and the date set
ar-the onening Of the dramatic company
was very short. For this reason the OPEN
;rr of the stock season has not been SO
we'll hcralded as In former years since
It has been within the last few days ohly
Of the Giffcn Company's return. pernaps
his does not matter. however. as the pest
ndv.rtising~ is always personal adVert's-
I'M and by word Of mouth the opening
to.rnorrow night has doubtless been quite
extensively spread througnou. inc c'.S.
The company was organized in an unu-
sually short space of time and since us
ARRIVAL last Monday rehearsals have been
carried forward with lightning speed. In
selecting an opening play the point most
strictly observed was to secure one that
would present to the best advantage the
people appearing In it. and at the same
time be q novelty to Richmond. 10 &C
complish this double purpose it is doubt
ful X a happier selection than MISS
Hobbs" could have been made. The play
has several times been booked to appear
at the Academy, but In each instance
something has arisen which resulted IN
the cancellation of the date. The play is
probably woll known here by reason OF
its reputation elsewhere as any play OF
recent years. and there will surely be
large measure Of public curiosity over It's
presentation. 1t forms nm ideal sum-
mer entertainment in that 1t is bright,
thoroughly amusing and interesting as n
play, Well could be- 1t was written by
that master of literary delicacy and In
fectious humor. Jerome K. Jerome. who
has caused two continents to laugh by his
e.''
rome's humor Is not OF To- broad, force
full type, which makes one guffnw at one
instant and feel ashamed almost for do
Ing so mt the next, but It Is of that perco-
latng nature which Is thoroughly enjoy
able and grows upon one with each repe-
ttion. Mr.. Jerome's play was pro-
duced in New York at the Lyceum Thea
tire with Annie Russell in the role Of Miss
Hobbs 1t was an instantaneous success
and was voted by the New York critics
those hardest of all men In the world to
pease-as one OF tho oleverest and most
enjoyable offerings that New York has
seen tor years. Miss Russell herself
scored an emphatic SUCCESS In the title
role, and the play ran to the pacacity OF
the cozy little Lyceum-sincc torn down,
as 1t stood in the way OF the march OF
improvements-for months, after which
It repeated its New York impression In
the leading cities of the country. The
number of cities visited. however. was
much smaller than usual. since Miss
Russelrs New York season had been sc
long that very few could be visited Th'
play Is really an up-to-date. highly
modern and pungently polished version
OF the flaming of the Shrew," although
of course. nothing shrnwtsh Is associated
with the character, after her position II
the play becomes established.
AN EFFECTIVE MOMENT.
One of the most effective moments 4
the plays development is the first en-
trance Of the much hralded "Mls
Hobbs" Tho trend OF the dialogue up t
that time prepares the audience for some
thing completely different from what ar
pears. and the cross purposes at whic
several Of the characters work provid
the plays complications. II the adtec
,ves high class and delightful coul
ever be truthfuly applied to play the
can be applied to Miss Hobbs. IT Is Nj
necessary to expatiate upon Its polishe
literary merit. since Mr., Jerome's we
known style is an invulnerable guarar
Zee in that direction. The characters ar
all well drawn. even those that In volum
are merely sketches. and the scenes hol
ones attention at the same time. fxin
one's fancy. II is full OF novel incident
and Ia quite unlike any play that Ricf
mond has seen. It must not be gathere
I from this. however, that the play
lacking in sentiment; 1t Is not; on III
contrary. 1t Is Allied with It from cove
a., ,<.yar Tho lova story hat,,ao,, ~