The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-22

"a, mo matter what happens, God keep
me from being sour" is Mrs. wiggs's
prayer.
.sslf there was "sour'' individual in
the Academy of Music last night when the
final curtain fell on Mrs. Wigs of the
Cabbage Patch"--indeed, If the play did
not touch the hearts OF the hardest and
move the most cynical-then applause
meant nothing, and wet eyes and happy
faces We're only counterfeit.
III There has seldom beer. written q book
that has appealed more strongly to the
American people than Mrs. Alice Hogan
Rice's delightful story, a,d--miraclc OF
tiniracles--the playwright has not slaugh-.
tered it in placing Mrs. Wigs" behind
the foot-lights.
The heroine OF the cabbage patch, het
friend and neighbour, Mis- HAY" cn-
shared by the matrimonial agent; mfr.
Stubbns.'' the one dollar bridegroom;
.'Lovey Mary she of the heart of gold,
are as true to life as when they were
first born In Mrs. Rice's imagination:
Last year, when Mrs. Madgc Carr Cook
eand her excellent company played here,
there was nothing to criticlse, and only
appreciation to express. but 1t is only fair
ITO say that the company that surrounds
the star this season Is even better than
athat of twelve months ago.
Mrs. Cook Is the same delightful Mrs.
Wigs" Just as clever, Just as natural
and In fact the living. brclthing optimist
OF the cabbage patch-thc Mrs. Malaprop
5sof modern days. 1t is remarkable that
this excellent actress should be n star OF
Ieaual magnitude with her daughter Miss
Eleanor Robson. who appeared here not
many weeks ago-the only instance OF
the kind en- the American stage.
6ss Better Than Predecessors.
Miss Helen Lowell still fills her original
part OF Mis- Hazy, and to say that 1t
could not be In more capable or artistic
hands is to very family express the per-
feet rendering of the delightful comedy
character. which has won her high
place In her profession.
AS .NIr Stubbns.' Mr.. Charles Car
ter was even better than his predecessor,
who created the. part. In fact. Mrs.
Cook, Miss Lowell and Mr.. Carter are
artists that have few equals on tho
stage.
Miss Bessie Barriscale. who took Miss
.Taliferro's role ofi,;Lovey AIary."6is even
pretticr than the former guardian of
Tommy" and equally as clever, while
the entire company can hardly be Inn
proved upon.
Mrs. Wigs Of the Cabbage Patch" is
foe to ''the blues"
1t is play full of that much-talked-of
but seldom experienced commodity, nu
man interest," and appeals to the heart
rs well as to the head.
THE audience last night was large and
genuinely enthusiastic. tho applause be-
Ing warm and spontaneous.
MRS Wigs" will be played to-day
al matinee and again tonight, and only
those pessimists who have retlre6 to
their dark hole and pulled the hole In
hitter them should fail to mako an OPP
timistic pilgrima ges etc theS Academy.
AS Asia" says. MANY are cold, but
few are frozen Mrs. Wigs philosophy
will thaw one out.
Miss Crosman Tomorrow.
Everybody who inclines to delightful
comedy on the stage. who enjoys lnerri-
,nent and gayety and wit and humor.
will no doubt be at the Academy to-
morrow night when Henrietta Crosman
will appear in her new comedy. Mary
Mary. Quite Contrary" Playgoers know
that Miss Crosman is held to be one OF
the greatest actresses of the time. Her
popularity is measured by the theatre
going public In every city in which she
has ever appropriately the number OF per-
sons who have seen afier Her phenomi-
nal New York runs are features of Amer
lean dramatic history. For several years
this talented comedienne has been de-
lighting her admirers in what are known
rs costume" parts. This season she is
appearing in q modern play. In nothing
Is she so exquisite. so fascinating, SO
entertaining as in tho portrayal OF mod
ern, up-to-date young; women. Hence !t
Is easy to understand why she has scored
such a tremendous success in New York
and elsewhere in MARY. Mary. Quite
Contrary" and has made the biggest hit
of her career.
Seat Sale for Peggy"
Seats will go on sale tomorrow morn
ing for the engagement of Peggy From
Paris" at the Academy next Monday
and Tuesday nights. This attraction mu-
sically.tis second to none this season. and
Is really the event OF the fast-closlng
theatrical year ut the playhouse Tho
opera is from tho mems OF George Ado