The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-12

Kirkland, Mr.. Theodore Hamilton and
Mr.. Allen Patton.
The Prisoner of Zenda' has been
selected by Mr.. Giffen for the opening
bill and the complete production Will
be brought here from New York, the
scenery being painted by Joseph Hart,
perhaps the best known artist in his
Zine in this country The costumes will
be furnished by Miller of Philadelphia,
which fact Is ample assurance that the
parts will be correctly and handsomely
dressed. The greatest care will be ex
ercised In the mounting and staging
of Anthony Hopes pretty romance.
which, in it's dramatic version. is more
appealing than is the story as told
between the book covers. The play has
always lad fascination for theatre
goers, perhaps because the theatre
goer like all the rest of the world,
I loves lover, and If the pathway is
boset with danger, there is a little
added thrill in following the story to
it's end. 1t is the glamour Of romance
which sheds its soft glow over this
pretty love story that lends to it that
charm which appeals alike to young
and old.
II may be expected that Mr.. Giffen
will give "The Prisoner of Zenda" such
a production as has never been wit
messed here, for in sthe performances
of even the best of road organizations
there is, of necessity, a lack of atten-
| tion to detail. In the hurry of getting
a production in and out of O. theatre
within the period of twentyfour hours,
too much elaboration in the way Of de-
tall Is not possible. But it is this very
| policy, on the part of Mr.. Glffen, OF
overlooking nothing that will tend to
carry out the illusion desired, and i'm
part just the atmosphere and coloring
necessary to make the picture complete,
(. that has made his name stand at the
| top of the column among managers
whose ideals are not subscrvient to the
commercial spirit which is often domi-
nant in theatrical enterprises. There
! fore, knowing the ample opportunities
afforded for the establishment of such
Il play as The Prisoner of Zenda." the
prospective patrons of the company.
may look forward to the most sump
Ituous production Mr.. Giffen has ever
| offered in the South.
The New Company.
Naturally, much interest will centre
] III the personnel of the new company
which is to make its first bow before
| a Richmond audience tomorrow week
! Mr.. Robert Warwick, the leading man
possesses all the qualities necessary 70,
that position. First of ALL he is ar
actor of ability, and has that happy
faculty of being able to win his audi
ence by his very force of personality
having that intangible something
called magnetism, He also has wha
Is most essential a good voice. 81
| much for his capabilities, of which M
one need have n doubt who saw hin
in Miss Mary Mannering's production
OF Glorious Betsy" His appearance
which is not the least thing to be con
sidered as any matinee girl will tel
YOU, is strikngly handsome-~so mucl
50 that 1t is "A safe prediction that tn,
feminine contingent among the com
panN's patrons will at once receive hin
with outstretched arms, hgurativel.
speaking, of course, Mr.. Warwick l
4 known rs one of the best "loVers" OF
\ the stage. and those who have, with cN
I ASPIRATION, noticed the seeming lack Q
ardor of sople of them, know Just VIVA
I this means, Many an actor, otherwis
\ good has found this his stumhlini
I block
Y Miss Margaret Fuller win be tn
leading woman She is known as a
& actress of charming personality, an
q has the reputation of being one of tn
d best dressed women on the stage, Sl
\ imparts to her approximations that de
] gree OF womanliness that is so niue
desired, and which, strange as 1t ma
4 seem, Is lacking In, the work Of 81
4 many actresses, For the want of thi
y quality many a portrayal has bee
Y merely II surface-likc creation,
! al hon van "a