The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-04
AT THE THEATER


THE Fatal wedding" which was the
attraction yesterday. has been present.
ed here on several occasions. and the
fact that it can still draw audiences
to two performances may be taken as
guaranty that it suits the popular
taste. Its emotional interest is strong,
novel order, there are always people
who overlook artistic shortcomings in
the excitement OF the story.
1t is interesting to note that one
never sees at plays Of the higher class
the audience So unbosom itself of emo-
ton. The villain is Kissed. the hero
applauded, the heroine wept over, with
the frankest display OF feeling, and
this quite irrespective of merit In the
acting. 1t is a triumph that more
famous dramatists than the author of
The Fatal Wedding might well
envy.
1t may be of interest to know, than
an actual incident furnished the au-
thor of "A Royal Slave" with the ini-
tial idea out of which this play was
evolved. The little item OF news APP
peared in the daily papers at that
time. 1t is as follows:
"A wealthy Mexican gentleman, who
was known to possess a vast hidden
estate, suddenly disappeared and was
finally given up by his family. Sew
eral years later the gang of celebrated
bandits was surprised and captured in
their stronghold and a poor insane man
rescued. He was taken to a hospital
in the city of Mexico, where an opera
tion of trepanning the skull was per-
formed, and his reason returned. He
proved to be the long lost gentleman
who had been captured by the ban
dts who, In trying to force him to
tell the hiding place of his fortune,
had struck him a severe blow on the
head, which denied the skull and rem
dered him insane. lie had been cap
tive for years in the hopes that he
might remember the coveted secret, and
in his half lucid moments, reveal it"
Knowing this actual incident, 1t
will be all the more interesting to the
public to follow the play itself, and
to observe how much of this dramatic
story is due also to the imaginative
and creative powers of the author.
"A Royal Slave,' will be seen at
the theater to-day, matinee and night
Matinee prices are: Orchestra SOC, bal
cony, adults Soc children Csc, Regu-
lar prices at night.
A. L. Shepard, who is the pioneer in
the moving picture, field of amuse-
ment, presents in his picture exhibit
ton, a varied assortment of subjects,
depicting every phase of life and play
ing upon the entire gamut Of human
emotion. The programme Is replete
with thrilling dramatic Incidents and
comic situations, which, together with
scenes of travel and incursions into
the realm of fancy, provide unique
entertainment lasting over two hours,
combining instruction and amusement
with. never a dull moment This at
traction is announced for on Saturday
night, with a special children's matinee
at p. m. Matinee prices are: Adults
Csc, children 15c, gallery 15c. At night
15c, Csc and SOC.
A. W. Pinero of London, is the au-
thor Of Iris" which L. j. Rodriguez
will present on Monday, matinee and
night, with Jeanne fowler i'm the title
role. AS an author it appears to be
pretty well understood that Mr.. Pinero
Is something of a marvel. in that he
Is versatile and can direct his mind
along a channel of thought from grave
to gay.
There is. in fact, nothing Of the or
binary preacher about this magician
of the pen. 1t was not long ago that
he startled the play going world with
| that rather cynical piece of smart con-
struction entitled, THE Gay Lord
Quex." saying nothing of those other
examples of his respectively called THE
Second Mrs. Tanqueray," The Anna
zons," and "Trelawny of the Wells. .
In Iris" it appears his genius has been
turned toward an extreme in the con-
trary direction. In this play he APP
pears to have delivered to slightly puz-
zled audiences a stern, unbending, Bit
ing sermon.
He does not condescend to point the
moral, but merely says in so many
words-"There 1t is-Like ii or not like
It, as you please-such is llfe." The
character of Iris, the part played by
Miss fowler is that of a rich, beau
tiful young widow--her triumps in
the social world and her downfall. Mr..
Pinero has said he does not write plays
for young people, but to grown per-
sons who are capable OF understand
ing the subjects asshe handles them
The fate of Iris made by the author
Is cruel. II is said there are many
strong scenes in the play. but the last
one seems to be unlike anything else
that has ever been seen In any of Mr.
Pinero's creations. The woman who
has sinned is not forgiven before the
fall Of the final curtain as in many
plays. Seats on sale this morning at
o'clock. Matinee prices are: Or
chestra 75c and soc, balcony, adults soc,
children, under II years Of age Csc
At night, Orchestra 81 80 and 81. bal
cony 75c and soc, gallery 25c.
Miss Minnie Victorson, a young lead
ing woman of magnetic personality,
who plays the role of Leila Crodton in