The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-11

there is now being finished
 a river playhouse that seems des-
 tined to mark a change in theatrical
 entertainments in certain parts of the
 United States. When completed this ny and Ohio rivers, delighting the popu- lace along the shores, and incidentally gathering in many dollars from worship pers of Thespis. The man who designed this novel playhouse built a stage with all necessary scenery and appurtenances at one end of large flatboat and at the other end is the engine ana the electric lighting plant. Quarters are also provid- ed for the performers, who will be ex- pected to combine histrionic talent with
 knowledge of river navigation or do- nestle economy. The theatre also has a steam calliope which will serve to wake the echoes and call the slumbering ripu- arians to dramatic feast. It Is needless to say that the theatre is gorgeous in gilt and paint of various colors, while there are seats, boxes, and a peanut gallery for urchins and others of small means.
 The amusement furnished will be on the vaudeville order. The players will per- force be unusually talented from the fact that they will have to have several
 turns at their command and will also
 have to serve as deck hands. That such a venture will pay goes without saying
 In the first place, the expense Is small compared to that of troupe travelihs it- Tlo for n and
 when a town is not very enthusiastic in it's welcome the floating theatre can pull
 out and go to the next landing, already informed of its prospective arrival by an
 energetic advance agent. The company
 will have no board bills to pay, as all
 will sleep on the boat and since the play
 CTS will also navigate the f1atpoat, no ad-
 ditional force is required to get from one
 "stand'' to the other. The floating the atre will be a bowling success on sum
 mer nights, but matinee performance is apt to be uncomfortably warm
 "The Two Orphans" a play that has been seen by large part of the popuia- tion of this country. will be revived at the New Amsterdam theatre in New fork March 2a with cast containing some of the best known American actors. III fact it Is what is called an 'all star cast" and the revival Is of especial in- terest because minor parts will be taken hv men and women who have been travel ing over the country as stars in plays or their own. Kyrle Bellew will take the mart of Chevalier Maurice de vaudrey
 Other well known players who will ap- pear are: Frederick Perry, E. H. Hol- iand Charles Warner, James ONeill, Mai com Duncan, Grace George, Elita Proc tor Otis, Clara Morris, Margaret Ellington and Annie Irish. Such dramatic treat as this Is destined to be Is denied people who are cut off from metropolitan life, but nerhaps after all it is more satisfac- tory to seee one good actor in good play than to be bewiIdered by such galaxy of stars that one can make no distinc- ton in their respective abilities.
 The announcement that qualifying ex- aminations for the Rhodes scholarships will be held April 13 In all the states A gain attracts attention to the unique bequest made by the South African pro- moter Examinations will also be held in Canada at the same time and George R.. Perkin. representative of the Rhodes trus- tees, will leave England for New York about March 15. While there is appar- ently little interest taken in the scholar ships at Oxford. It is mistake to sup pose that many young men will not try for the prizes. Although the money pi O. vided for each student will barely pay the most necessary expenses there are