The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-29
ny nnIrCu CuEsTEnMAN.

Commencing tomorrow for the NEST
time in the history of Richmond for
many years there Will be three thea
tres (houses that deserve the name)
open every night in the week TO the
public The opening of the Colonial,
the remodeled house on the northwest
corner of Eighth and Broad Streets,
will give to the city its third theatre,
and will mark the ushering in of
vaudeville for the second time on that
corner. Any one glancing at the sched-
ule of the weeks amusements. If not
familiar with the situation, would at
first sight come to the conclusion that
Richmond is the second of the South
ern cities 10 take its place among the
''weel, stands" for under each house
appears the wording, AL the week.
Such, however, is not the case, and 1t
may be, and no doubt will be, some
classed with New Orleans as a show
town" And then there will be Mem
phis Nashville and Atlanta all in the
race. for they are each something of
q city.
one of the most important events TO
be recorded of last weeks happenings
is the return TO Richmond of Mr.. r. L..
Giffen. The popular manager, who is
n favorite here. having wide ac-
uuaintance in Richmond, had not been
in this city for four years when he
alighted from the Norfolk train last
Tuesday and made his way in the sdi-
Tectiol. of the Academy. His progress
to the playhouse and afterwards to
the Jefferson Hotel was somewhat i'm
peded on account of the frequent stops
made al he was halted by some friend
or acquaintance, who gave him a
smile of welcome and warm grasp
of the baud. Thar night, as he stood
in the lobby of the Academy. that por-
ton of the house was alnot turned
into a reception room, and only tea
was needed to make the picture COM
plete. Mr.. Giffen seems to have grown
four years younger If one may use
that expression, since lie was last here.
The likeness which appeared in these
columns was not. after all. such an in
justice, though the manager says that
he was in short pants when he sat be-
fore the camera for that photograph.
Only the modesty Of Mr. Giffen pre-
vented the publication Of cut made
from a photograph of more recent
date, a photo which has since been
furnished in order to avoid repet-
ton OF the trick OF last week.
..rhe Man on the Box"
The Giffen Company this week will
present The Man on the Box, a dra-
matization of the novel OF the same
name. The comedy has been a pro-
nopnced success for the past few sea-
sons, and the excellent company
which Messrs Wells and Giffcn have
brought here should appear TO advan-
tage in the piece. When the play was
presented at the Madison Square The,
atre it leaped into popularity from
The beginning. Those who have reat
Harold McGraths novel are familiar
with the iiumor and romance which i
affords.
The story OF The Man on the Box
is replete with dramatic surprises, an
abounds in terse and witty speeches, I
is founded on the practical Joke of
young army oiIicer, who plans to civ
his sister pleasant surprise by cx
changing places With the family coach
man, driving her home from societ
ball. and then Gaping the climax viii
a KISS. In the confusion OF the car
riage calls he gets on the box of N
wrong carriage and drives away wit
two young lau4es whom he has neVe
formally met, and with one OF whot
ne has fallen in love while on III
steamer crossing from Europe II
4 loses control Of the horses. become
II central figure in midnight ruuaw4,
and ends in a cell al the police sta
tion
With this foundation, a comedy an
romance are developed that keep III
4 auditors In state of eXcitemcn
through three spirited acts ana fun
nish the company with abundant ma
VI terial 10 reveal their qualities
The Ginen Company viii make wa
Thursday nigh, for Miss Isabel Irwin;
but Will appear upon the other nghr
Of the week. as we'll as az Wednesda
and Saturday fuatinpES
Miss Isabel Irving.
Miss Isabel Irving comes TO ii
H Academy Thursday night in The ne
Il play, susan in Search Of Q husband
Y by Jerome IS, Jerome, the adaptable
A being made by II, W. Presbrey
The play tells a distinctly quaii
little story OF a totally different tyI
from that usually found upon>a stag
The scene is laid In Wales. a an oil
fashioned inn known as "'rhe Doyeco'
The play Is full Of quaint eharaete