The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-22
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
BENJAMIN Players, in "Mcrciy Mnry
B1JoU THEATRE.
Vaudeville.
LUBrN THEATRE.
Il Vaudeville.
A,rcre,y Mary Ann

1lrcreiv Nlnry Ann
Those who have seen that delightful
comedy, Merely Mary Ann will no
doubt be pleased to learn that 1T has
been selected by Manager Benjamin
as the Offering for this week by the
Benjamin Players at the Academy
q merely Mary Ann was the means of
Robson. When Miss Robson appeared
& In London in Merely Mary Ann not
4 withstanding that city was no doubt
Il the most difficult In the world for an
IS actress to win recognition in this
Y character with It's trying cockney ac-
cent, she at once took the, city by
storm, and became one of the best
known actresses on the stage, which
eminence she retained until her re-
H tirement to private life. The rights TO
+ this production are such valuable
i asset to any theatrical manager that
the title was carefully protected, and
until very recently 1t was impossible
to get the right to produce 1T, that
privilege being retained exclusively for
) Miss Robson. However, Manager Ben
/, iamin has been fortunate enough to-
secure 1t.
The character of Merely Mary Ann
is a literary gem from the pen of
Israel Zangwil. In his delineation
of this character. maidof-all-work
I In a second rate London boarding house.
Zangwill, showed a deep insight anto
human nature, and has pictured a
noble and an ennobling soul. He has
i surrounded her, too, with many char-
acters. such as the laugh provoking
4 Mrs. I.eadbatter. the keeper of thel
Z boarding house; the ridiculous and am
bitious "Rosie'; the iovial and gen
erous Peter, an inspiring and healthy
81 character, with whom zangwill has
SO we'll contrasted the surly and sell
fish Iancelot-all of whom combine TO
q make UP one of the brightest and most
charming comedies that has been pro-
duced upon the American stage.
For the thoroughly sympathetic
character of Merely Mary Ann, in
which Miss Catherine Carter Will be-
cast. that actress is peculiarly fitted
by Temperament, and will have ample
4 opportunities to exploit the finer ana
i more delicate shades of her art Frank
i lin Richie will be seen as bancelot,
the disheartened. yet greatly amnltlous
y COMPOSER who to Tighten the tedium
Il o. his unoccupied days, In his blind
4. eelfishness. permits noble though
very ignorant girl day by day to fall
more deeply IN love with him. Miss
Bradley may be expected to make
much out of the robust role of the
preposte rous Rosie. while Miss Lydia
Knott is sure TO MAKE capital Ahl .
1,eadbatter, the loquacious and high
av amusing boarding house keeper and
socially acbitious mother. Mr.. Storm
Is to have the genial and pleasing
part of Peter. tho optimistic friend.
Mr.. Blunkall will be cast in the char
acter of Herr Brahmson. the music
publisher Mr.. Schnell as Jim Blaydes,
Mr.. Perry as Lord Nottingham. Mr..
Russell as the Rev. Samuel Smedse.
Miss Clare Cassell, who has spent
most of her days in foreign countries,
as Lady Chelmer: Mr.. Curtis as the
Irishman, OGorman, and Misses Field
and Adams as Polly and Kitty, the
two actresses lodging at Mrs. Lead
batter's.
.5 merely Mary Ann will be seen
every night this week at the Academy
with the usual Wednesday and satur-
day matinees.
At the Biiou.
Four acts of Greater vaudeville
will constitute this weeks. Bijou Of
fering. augmented by the latest NOV
Ing picture subjects and illustrated
songs The statement is made by the
management that this week inaugu-
rates real Princess vaudeville in Rich
mond IT'S circuit reaches this city this
week, the house having booked inde-
pendently for the past two weeks
1t will he difficult for the large army