New-York tribune., 1905-12-24
NEW BILLS.

Tomorrow is Christmas. The fact is unques-
tionable, but because It also is Monday the
chain gang will eat their dinner on the quick
lunch plan, and the players viii toll early and
late Never was Christmas more prolific in
new plays the theatrical stocking more bulgy
with banbles and possibly some more substan-
tisI gifts Among the latter is likely to be
Alice Sit-by y-the-F Fire which Miss barrymore
Will disclose at the Criterion Theatre to-nnor i,
row night This play, by that whimsical wizard
Of the fancy. J. NJ. Barrie. who created Peter
Pan WAS shown in London with great sue
cess with Miss Ellen Terry in the cast 'Ahce &
Sit-by-the-F Fire" is a satire on the modern
problem play, and aIniable gibe at the nnaL-
nee girl who believes everything she sees and
hears at the theatre.
This play viii be preceded by a fifty minute
play by NTr. Barrie. called "Pantaloon," with
Miss Barrymore's brother, Lionel, in the leading
parr The story is q fantastic love episode IN
Harlequinade. land dear to Gilbert as well as
Barrie.
Another new play Of promise is the operetta,
Mile Modiste" by Blossom and Victor Her
bert. IN which FRITZ scheff viii appear at the
Knickerbocker tomorrow night. Miss Scheff
has had I'll luck since she forsook grand opera
for the lighter stage. but in this new operetta'
she is said to have a vehicle of real worth. Al
any rate. It has won praise in other cities and
attracted audiences.
Fred Walton. an English pantommst. will
make his appearance Monday afternoon at the
Lyric Theatre in an extravaganza Of the David
Henderson type called The Babes and the
Baron" This niece will be given every after
noon Of Christmas week, as it makes strong
appeal to children. The scenery and mechani-
cal effects are said be many and striking.
and the story Is woven of numerous familiar
fairy stories. Walton's part is that of a toy
soldier. and during the entire play ne never
says word. Arthur Weld has written some of
the music: his name, as a composer. has Tor
some time been unfamiliar.
"modernized" version of a Scrap Of
Paper" called MARY. Mary. Quite Contrary"
will be shown by Miss Crosman at the Gar
rick Tomorrow beginning with a matinee.
Miss Crosman will have a modern comedy role.
Beginning tomorrow afternoon, Miss Neither
sole will revive her famous (or infamous) YER
sion of "sapho" at the Herald Square Theatre
The Gingerbread Man." which begins its New
York engagement at the Liberty Theatre with
a Christmas Day matinee is a whimsical con-
ceit- The Hbretto and lyrics are the last work
of the late Frederick Ranken the author of
"Happyland-" A. Baldwin Sloane, composer of
Lady Teazle," The Mocking Bird and numer-
Gus other successful musical pieces. has fur
nished the score The chief aim of The Ginger
bread Man" is to provide an evening of frolic
and melody. Therefore the manag cement does not
hesitate to stand sponsor for the amazing tricks
played upon old Mother Goose's jingles and the
characters all learned to revere in younger days
For instance, when Little Jack Horner from his
corner retreat sticks his thumb in the well re-
Inembered Christmas pie. it's plumb, and not
4 plum. he extracts. and it suddenly develops
that he is a plumber. The Gingerbread Man
introduces old Santa Claus himself as one of
the chief characters. and Madame Santa Claus,
MS aoting spouse, But these characters, as wei
as Doughnut and Marshmellow, Santa's some
what troublesome SONS, the author has embodied
with characteristics never disclosed in the story
2Ta TT~n bn
make fun after extravaganza fashion. The Gin
gerbread Man himself always fearful OF either
being eaten or shattered. is in reality q de-
throned monarch. The action takes place in
the mythical rival kingdoms Of Pastryland and
BOn-Bon Land, and the whimsical story leads
the various characters also into Santa Claus
Land and the realms of King Sugar Plum and
King Bum. Machavelius Fudge a dealer IN
black art, sets the ball OF trouble rolling. and
host of ludcrous characters, including Jack
Horner the Duke of Pie, Margery Daw Simon
Simple and the Fiery Dragon, who has a case
Of chronic indigestion, help 10 tell the story of
adventure and fun. In the cast are Helen Ber
tram, Homer Lind.
The Rev John Snyder. man who has
preached for more than thirty-five years ard
who was pastor Of the Church OF the Messiah
at ST. Louis. for twenty-seven years and is now
pastor Of the First Unitarian Church at Wei
lesley Hills. Mass. has written a play The
first New-York production Of it will occur at
the Garden Theatre. opening with a matinee on
Christmas Day. Mr.. Snyder was in New-York
all last week personally supervising rehearsals
He has called his drama ''As Ye Sow 1t is
picture of life on Cape Cod. The production will
he made by William A. Brady and Joseph r
CTrismeT. They have given the production
generous setting IN scenery and effects.
In honor Of the Christmas holidays Mr. Con-
ried announces a bright and amusing series Of
attractions for the coming week at the Irving
Place Theatre. Tomorrow night ''FIeisses Blut'
viii be repeated, with Ilka Palmay in the char
acter of the wayward heroine On Tuesday
Wednesday. Thursday and Friday evenings Nine.
Lima Abarbanell viii make her first appearance
IN America in the title part of Neilhac and Mill
auds delightful operetta Emusic BY Herve)
"NamZele Nitouche." The character of the
heroine was created In Paris by Judic and since
then has been interpreted by many distinguished
artists II IS said to be of Nine Abar-
oanelFs best parts.
E. S, Willard VIII enter upon The last week of
his engagement AZ the New Amsterdam Theatre
with the Christmas matinee. when he will h.
in Tom Pinch" The same play viii he
given for the evening entertainment on Tues
day night and at the "Wednesday matinee .srhe
Mtddieman" will be presented; Wednesday and
Thursday nights. The Professors Love story. F.
Friday evening and at the Saturday matinee
David Garrick7 and The Man Who Was" and
Saturday evening. Tom Pinch" This makes
an attractive and interesting holiday bill The
announcement IS made that THE Bells" Louis