The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-26
ADJUSTMENTS.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Cast In "she
stoops to Conqucr.'
DiJou-'''rhc sign OF the Crosse
misunderstanding Animnl Show.
Observation-Disclosures Rink.
Sign of the Cross" Poor.

0lRIl& Oh [1e NTOSS FOOT
From tho %"Qucen Of the Convicts' TO
"Tho Sign of tho Cross Is a big dra-
matte leap, but tho versatile Bijou makes
1t without an effort, and Wilson Barrctt's
powerful religious melodrana Is on the
boards for this tho last week OF Lent.
There have been n hnlf-dozen produo-
tons OF this far-fnmed play In Richmond
before. Five of them have been superior
to the present one one about on a par
with 1t, mono worse. James Gordon. OF
athletic build and stentoran voice, and
In addition can eminent English actor"
essays tho role Of Marcus superbus, the
proud and wealthy Roman and attncks
his work with q commemorate amount
OF energy II not skill. He has yet n
great deal to learn OF the art OF express
sion, so essential to success In his pro-
fession, and his lines were almost mean
ingless as lle read them In a slow mos
notonous voice with hardly variation
in pitch. Miss Nadgo Hall gave wholly
satisfying. sweet portrayal OF Mercia,
and was easily head and shoulders above
the remainder OF tho cast. None OF the
rest of the company did anything OF
note. The scenery, too. was wofully
deficient and Tigelinus, In his anxiety
to get OF the stage in the second act,
forgot which way the door opened and
nearly demolished n substantial Roman
prison. 1.-THE Sign OF the Cross" will be
seen all this week with the exception OF
Good Friday, when, In accordance with
It's custom, the theatre will close It's
doors.
iAll-Star Cast Tonight.
lone of the largest and most repre-
| sentative audiences of the season will
| witness the revival OF Goldsmith's old
comedy. She Stops to Conquer" at
tho Academy tonight. The promise
80 strongly held forth by the magn!f-
cent cast OF hne presentation of
| Goldsnlth's classic has aroused exDec-
tntion and interest in to-nlghts per-
| formnnce. Countless people have read
the comedy. but owing to the rarity
! with which 1t has been revived. but
| few OF the present generation have
following Will be glad to see him as
| Hardcastle and enjoy the quality Of
| his mellow art. His co-star, Miss Eli
! lis Jeffrcys, will attract people who
| are anxious to sec the work OF one
of England's foremost actresses. a wo-
man possessing personal charm and
| much beauty. There Will be also some
| curiosity to sec George Giddens, an.
| other English star and one nailed in
London as the best character comedian
on the stage. Every part In the COM
| edy Is In the hands OF a capable actor,
! tho organization representing the best
opponents of the old school Of dra-
matte art in England and America.
Mrs. Carter Coming.
It was only after the most strenuous
! efforts that Manager Wise prevailed upon
| Mrs. Carter TO give matinee PERFORM
nnce Of "DuBarry'' next Tuesday after
! noon The distinguished actress is trav-
| cling in a private car. and she would not
| consent to having her car iloated from
! Norfolk over to Newport News. It was
finally arranged to have the company
| return by way OF the Chesapeake and
| Ohio. and she herself Will come to Rich
mond over tho Norfolk and Western in
1 a special train. For this trip she will
have to pay twelve regular fares. Mrs.
Carter will be supported by O splendid
| company, Including her former leading
| man and several members OF the original
4 cast Fom q scenic standpoint it will
! be sumptuous and artistic, and from all
prospects the dramatic event OF the sea-
son may be looked for.
Preparing to Move.
Director Frank C. Bostock. Of the Wild
| Animal Arena, is busy preparing to MOVE
his forces to Pine Beach for the James
town Exposition, and in order to take
them there well equipped for the season
| he is advertising for two novelties to
/ make his shows complete In every de-
tail.
4 He needs small man who can box
4 a fea therwelght boxer-to train with the
/ fighting kangaroo Fjtz The Australian
4 fighter has been resting in idleness for
some weeks, owing to tho fact that his
i last trainer and spnrring partner has re-
tired from the ring. Since that time MI
Bostock has had numerous applications
! from those who thought they would Ike
the job. but when 1t came TO putting on
gloves and tnckllng Fitz In tho ring
they generally lasted through three OF
four rounds, and then retired to the tune
of the kangaroo laugh. G
Another OF Mr.. Bostock's wants. and
one which he Is advertising oxtensiyelA
for, is the tallcst dog In the world. Mr.
Bostock said lie was willing to pay UP u
the four figures for such canine, but
beyond this the animal king Is sphinX-like
and refuses to say. That he has some
sensational act in course Of preparation
and this dog is to play a prominent part
Is beyond all doubt.