The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-03
THE HEIR TO THE
H00RAH' IS GREAT
The Best Comedy That Has Been
at the Academy in
Years.
is DELIGHTFULLY."- AMERICAN
1t Was Played BY An All-Star
Cast With Honors Enough
for All.
IS DELIGHTFULLY."- AMERICAN

lOl All.
When the curtain fell on 1.-THE Heir
to the Hoorah'' at the Academy last night
there was not man or woman in the
large audience that filed the playhouse
who did not say goodbye" with regret
to the best comedy that has been seen
in Richmond this season.
Not a dull moment was there In the
four all-too-short acts. nor was there
u single situation that seemingly could
have been improved upon.
Some one once said that he regretted
all his life that he had ever read Henry
Esmond." because, he said. he could
never again read it for the first time.
and this same selfish praise might be
well accorded to the delightful American
comedry of Dave Armstrong;, teeminG
as it is Will, broad sweet humor, refresh
ing with its great laughing waves of sim
plcity, alive with the stirring atmos-
phere of primitive civilization, and aglow
with real life.
First-Class Play.
There can scarcely be said too much
in praise OF the play. nor of the excellent
company which produced it in a manner
which left nothing TO be desired for. OF
the seventeen parts in the play, every
single one wasssin more than capable
hands, =
1t might well be said that the comedy
is not mutiIated. so as to bring any one
part into especial prominence. for there
were round dozen characters of almost
equal import. Indeed. so true was this
that II twelve people were asked to say
who was the star. 1T is more than
probable that no two would name the
same player.
The story is the same old. thread bare
| theme OF the husband and wife estranged
| by the proverbial motiler-in-law. of the
reconciliation in theElast act and they
| lived happily ever afterwards as
| finale fie.
| That is the theme, but it is handled in
a mastery manner by the hand of an
| artist.
| The situations are new. the humor of
! Western life, is genuine. the charming
love scenes are fresh and far removed
| from the commonplace, while the comedy
is full Of American flavor breathing
/ different air from the gallo adaptations
which have OF late infested the English
| speaking stage.
Air Out of Doors.
There Is utterly lacking the color OF
| suggestion, for one breathes the healthy.
air of the open and leaves the theatre
with a pleasant. wholesome taste in his
mouth. with, perhaps. a suspicion OF tears
| in his eyes. and with something like
spring and love In his heart
Miss Jane Peyton, place aux danes. as
Mrs. Kate Brandon. of the Katydid Mine.
was charming. easy and graceful, fitting
| the part as though it had been written
| for her. and so pretty that she would
| have been delightful had she not been
equally as clever.
Miss Nora O,Brien and Miss Louise
Rutter were both charming, and Mr.. Guy
Bates Post, was more than capable.
The favorites, however, were Mr.. Ern-
| est hanson and Mr.. MILFORD Lucas, WHO
simply romped away with the comedy
which In lc-5 capable hands would have
/ given place TO the more serious situations.
Mr.. C. s. Williams was good, as indeed
4 was every one of the well balanced COM
pany, than which there has been seen
\ none more capble or more convincing at
the Academy.
"The Heir to the IIoorah'' is a play
to which one must say with regret Eau
revoir,. but under no circumstances
A "adieu."
Sign Of the Cross.
Wilson Barrretts great religious
drama, THE Sign or tne 5SToss, WticH
will be seen at the Academy thfs AFTER
noon and tonight. is concerned IN us
thrilling and graphic story WITH the per-
secution of the Christians. The scene
Is laid in Rome under the tyrannlca,in rule
scenic display, setting forth In richest est
A colors the spienlors and luxury of the
court Of Rome with the REL gorgeous !, cos =
4 tunes OF the women. The company 70
Fred q. Berger and r. g. CraerIn, num-
many OF whom won distinction In the
leading roles In William Greets LONDON
company which for many seasons earned
THE Sign or the Cross to triumphant
SUCCESS In the United states and Canada.
Drew's Best Role.
AS "Jm De Lancey" In the comedy Of
that name. written by Augustus Thomas,
has ever had frnmsthe fact that every
| ASPECT or the part reflects sides of New
York society life with which he Is per-
fectly intimate. There afe abundant
laughs IN the play. many more tnlh IN
any Of tho preceding Thomas comedies.
i Its performances In this city VIII ne az
the Academy OF Music on Monday night.
--------------------
Schooner ashore.
(By Associitsd Press.)
,GAPE HENRY. VA. February 2-The
. schooner Maggie r.. Hart Captain EOS
ter, ran ashore THIS morning near Hat
teras Inlet The crew of eight men was
Riyrd The schooner appears IN gooA
condition. hut taking some ~ater'