The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-24
"Undcr Southern skic.."


lies" with usual mntinees.
"Undcr Southern Skies"
'slJnder Southern Skies" which VIII
be at the Academy Thursday night.
with a special Thanksgiving matinee,
occupies place by Itself in southern
drama. For long period We have had
Southern plays founded upon one OIL
two subjects--tlle Civil War or the
inoonshiner. Lottie Blair Parker. the
euthor OF Under Southern Skies" has
chosen a different theme. and 1t was
evidently n welcome change to theatre
Eoers. for they have patronized the
play so literally that 1t is now play
Ing its seventh season. and everywhere
To crowded houses Mrs. Parker's
theme in Under Southern Skies Is a
story OF love and of suffering. 1t
moves the spectator to sympathy and
tears. But the setting of the story, the
manner In which II Is told Is what
constitutes the delightful charm OF
the play and takes people to see 1t
lover and over again. Under South
ern Skies" Notwithstanding the tense
ness and patfos of its theme, Is as full
OF entertainment and laughter as many
plays whose only aim Is to amuse. SO
deftly are the laughs mingled with
the tears that an effect of pure nature
rs pIouuSeu WIlCi Is do LaSSludllIlS AS
1t is unusual in plays. a more than
usually large cast is necessary to por-
tray the characters in Under South
rern Skies" and each of the twenty
three people in the drama is especially
adapted to his or her part. One Of
the most attractive features of the
production is the Halloween celebra-
ton and pumpkin dance. which has
never been seen in any other play.
..The Dancer and the King"
Commencing Tomorrow night, for
one week, Will be the first appearance
In this city of Miss Cecil Spooner, in
THE Dancer and the King romantic
musical comedy drama. filled with
thrilling situations and replete with
startling scenic effects; at the same
time vehicle for the exploitation Of
the varied accomplishments of tits ver-
satile star. She will appear in The
Dancer and the King" Monday, Tues
day and Wednesday, while her past
seasons success, The Girl Raffles,"
will be the attraction for the remainder
of the week.
The Dancer and the King" Is an
innovation in pIay-writing. combining
as it does historical. romantic musical
comedy drama. The play was written
by Charles f. Bianey and j. Searle
Dawley. specially to exploit the varied
specifications of Miss Spooner. Miss
Spooner Is an artist of remarkable
talents. and her specalties reveal true
artistic merit. The comedy Is Of the
hilarious kind and never laEs. In fact,
the clever producer. author and man
ager, Mr.. Blaney, has woven plot
around the life of the notorious dancer.
Lola Montez. who was the talk of all
Europe, during the reign of Charles the
First, showing how the dancer. whom
one of the royal blood has fallen in
love with, almost upsets the affairs
Of state and brings down the wrath of
the Kings disloyal cabinet, who wan,
to depose him. BY her clever diplomacy
she, with the assistance OF the Kings
lester, saves the throne and wins he,
royal lover for life.
"The Girl Ruiies."
The Girl Rafties." the success tina,
she was seen in the past season, will
ngain be feature. as she will appear
in both plays. 1.-THE Girl Raffles' Is
supposed to be the daughter of deal
er in antiques, who under cover Of his
business is conducting a fence" for
crooks. She learns that he Is not her
father, and through many clever de-
vices as female Rallies. discovers
her identity to be the only daugh-
ter of wealthy English nobeman.
The love interest develops between
Ratties and a young detective, who is
watching the operations of the gang,
of which her supposed father is the
leader. The plot is cleverly construct
ed and the denouement hidden until
the last moment. AS a background for
the large cast of players, beauty
chorus is introduced. which assists
Miss Spooner In the development OF
her many specialties and musical num-
hers. The following are in the cast: Lor
Hascall George Palmer Moore, Robert
Smailey, Richard Thompson, w. d
Chaff1n, Harry S. I3astick, J. w. Nick
OILS and others.
While in London Miss Spooner. un.
: der patronage of Mrs. James Brown
Potter. danced at the Palace, being
Immediately signed for the folowin.
year by the management to appear a
the Palace. Being the guest of Mrs
Potter, she lived awhile in London a
the formers home in St Johns Wood
and was entertained at Windsor Castle
"Mndnm Butterfly,
OF all the productions to be seen thi
season. the Japanese OPERA MADAM
Butterfly by Puccini, the famous 1tai
Jan composer. which will be at TIL
Academy on December 23d, will, per
laps. be the one which Will attract tn
most attention. The original company
which has been in New York for tw
seasons and until the last few weeks
Will appear, und the production is to b
on a gigantic scale.
1.-THE Playsoer.''
The Christmas number of ",The Play
Soer.' the theatrical periodical pub
lished by the management of the Acad
amy. promises to be an unusual on
both in attractiveness and volume.
is the only publication in the city de
voted exclusively to the theatrtcs
world. The Christmas issue will cor
Tain twenty pages, and any one desi,
ing any special number of the papt
or to have the paper come to them reg
DIarly. without cost. can accomplis
this by sending their name and addres
- the Academy of Music.
New York Theatrical Notes.
Mortimer NJ. THESES second compan
playing Wine. Woman and Song
3un1ped last week from New Jersey