The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-03
'' 'MepoNALD's THEATRE.
Monday Matinee and Night-blliy
 Kersands's Minstrels.

Montpomery has had so much recently sh,t was good in the theatrical line that a few ..off'' weeks may be expected.
 T,his is not exactly an "off'' week, but st Ia not filled with a variety of amuse- ments for theatre-goers-
 Two farce comedies and minstrel sno" completes the weeks bill of fare.
 If critiques from careful writers mean anything, we may expect treat in A Friend of the Family" which Is at the Montgomery Theatre Tuesday matinee and night Few farce comedies have met with more favorable notice by Southern theatrical writers, and it must be said that A large per cent of men employed py Southern daily newspapers to write or stage affairs are honest and capable.
 George Barnum, who, it appears, is one of the main ones in this "Frieno or the Family business, is clever rms much may be said on our own responsi- bility.
 "A Hot old Time" due here Thursday nf,ght. is one of those loud but funny farces, with music, women and color. The company is said to be good.
 Undoubtedly Billy Kersands is sur rounded by capable negro minstrels anu he will no doubt play to big business at and night.
 
 Patrons of the Montgomery Theatre may look forward with pleasant anticipa- tions to the initial appearance here at the Montgomery Theatre Tuesday matinee and night of the farcical comedy sensa- fion, "A Friend of the Family" The company is said to be an exceptionally large and clever one, and. Judging rom che press comments wherever 1t has ap- peared, it is one of the funniest legiti- hot ha n,
 The company which as been engaged to interpret the farce are well known art- ssts and it is claimed they take advant- age of every funny situation. The dia- iogue is of the bright, crispy sort, which keeps the audience in convulsion of laughter from the rise of the first curtain until the the fall of the final one.
 The Nashville American says of this play and company:
 Tt was Merry Christmas at the Ven dome on Friday afternoon and evening. one of the happiest brightest and most jovial of occasions. It is going to be the same this afternoon and evening, for there are two more performances of "A Friend of the Family" left for Nash vile, and 1t is pity that there are not a dozen instead.
 Few farce comedies as good as this one have ever been seen in this city. There never was play that held more laughs to the minute than this rare. rich and wholesome offering. "A Friend of the Family came here practically stranger, but by the time the trunks are packed and checked to the next stop. this same Friend will have been recorded as just what the name implies. another theatrical friend and favorite added to Nashville s list.
 At times one is reminded in little de- tail here and there of something else one has seen in the farce comedy, using the s term collectively. but there is never an Nimpression of anything borrowed, loaned a or stolen gained from anything seen. Such details stamp this particular attraction as a legitimate member of the farce comedy family. So far as the action of the play goes. it could not be more rapid. more 'gingery' and more effective. Things start to happening a moment or so after the curtain goes up, and occurrences that mean something and keep one laughing and interested and occurrences are as ire