The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-27
the PLA|N5MAN' y
is EXCELLENT
One Of the Best Casts That LAS
Been Seen at the
Academy.
LADY is CLEVER
Plenty Of Comedy and a Bit Of
Tragedy Much Laughter
ana Some Tears.

.rrho Plainsman," with Mr.. Orrin
Johnson in The title role was played at
the Academy last night and made
decided hit.
1t is possible that if Arizona and
"Thc .Virginan" had not been written,
and had not successfully showed behind
the footlights, THE Plainsman would
never have been constructed, for the play
last night was Arizona" with large
dash OF "Othcllo' according to Squire
Ionnie Graves, At any rate It pleased,
ana the audience was moved 10 much
laughter and some tears
The scenery was excellent, and not
during the season has there been a more
capable company Of players on the
Academy stage.
THE Plainslnan'' Is a western ranch
owner, with the Virginia blood OF the
1r;lirfaXes interminglng in his veins with
Spanish and Indians. Then comes the
"Othcllo'
lie murrics a young girl, the daughter
Of an army officer, stationed near BY,
and grows insancly jealous OF her affcc-
ton for his foreman, who is really her
brother, a desertcr from The army, and
therefore living under an assumed name.
The Dash Of Comedy.
An irish widow and several cowboys
mako good comedy, and Don Jose,
cousin OF 1.-THE Painsman," makes all
tho trouble. Then comes lugo.
Mr.. Johnson. who was last seen here
as leading man in "J'en Ilur," played
well and added to the pleasant impression
that he had already made In the past,
whllc Miss lrmn LII Pierre, the leading
lady, was not only clever, but exceedingly
pretty and possessed Of a rare sweet
! voice. which she used to excellent ad-
! vantage.
The Kate Malone of Miss Ammo Suth-
crland was delightfully."- breezy and clever,
| and Mr.. lIolbrook Binn as Don Jose
| was perhaps the most finished OF n cast
| which deserves only praise.
I There is Il line in the play which is
we'll worth reporting The widow says:
! "A special providence looks after drunk
| ards and lovers
The Plainsman will play tonight ana
| Saturday, matinee and night.
''The Duel
There is nothing amby-pamby about
| Tho Duel" the celebrated play which
Academy on Friday night and Saturday
matinee, with tho wcll-known actor, Otis
| skinner. in the pivotal character II Is
a great big thenrc that Is handled In this
| life and one that kindled an avalanche of
| talk ana discussion when 1t was first pro-
d,,ced at the Comedlc Franchise in Paris.
| 1t was expected that the work would
make as biz II hit in this country among
! thinking people as It did In France and
| the cities OF tho Continent, 1t Is hard
| to surprise the regular theater-goer, but
| this play succeeded In doing 1t upon It's
| first production In New York. What the
| audience saw was man who scoffed
at religion as being ut only for the weak
minded battling with a priest for a wo-
| man. one for her degradation, the other
| for the saving OF her soul. The ending
Of It's second act literally swept its Broad
way audience on is feet, M Skinner
! has made the hit of his career In the role
Of the priest and added new laurels to
his reputation us a finished and an ar
| tlstlc actor. The company supporting him
Is n notable one, The production Is Il
| copy of the one made In par!s,
Gloriana Musical Comedy.
Tho Wells Dunne-l Company have
secured the rights TO the English musical
comedy, Glorlana, and with Little Chip
and Mary Marble and many of The old
| BiIou fnVortes Will innugurate a spring
tour, opening nj the Bijou Theater Mon
day evening, hpril S0th, aud all week with
| the usual matinees