The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-20

Local Attractions
at the Theaters
Christmas Week

Thomas z. Shea. who has been
called the American Irvine, will pre-
sent "A Man and His Wife" Christ
mas. matinee and night at the
BiJou.
THE Heart Breakers is the name
of the musical meiange that the
Academy will offer. and 1t ought to
be very clever show, as Mort II.
Singer is starring himself as the pro-
Queer.
The announcements for the CO.
ionial, Empire and Lubin theaters
have not appeared as yet. but they
will be unusually good, make no
mistake.
This little tribute to Albert spald-
ing comes from little old New York
In James Z. sullivan's best typewrit-
ing:
Albert Spaiding. the celebrated
American violinist, son OF J. w.
Spalding. Of baseball fame. Is the
flrst American artist invited to play
with the ST. Cecilia society's orches-
ira In Bordeaux, which he did this
month. and scored one of the most
brilliant triumphs Of his career. The
conductors exclaimed: Here Ia an
artist who knows what music is.
and Rhenee Baton. the conductor at
Bordeaux. Ia considered one or the
most difficult men in Europe TO please
The concert was given In the Bor-
sieaux Opera House. rivalling the
Paris Opera House. In spite of it's
vast seating capacity. three hundred
people were turned away. Spalding
played Mendelssohn's Concerto. Bach
and Paganini numbers. and was re-
called fourteen times.
From Bordeaux he went to Mont
peilier. where he was solo!st at the
ultra Musical society. the Charles
Bordes Schoia Cantorum society.
where only artists of the highest
musicianship are engaged. Mr.. Spald
ing was the first American engaged
by that society. The evening was
devoted to a -Seance OF Sonatas, pre-
ceded by an explanatory lecture given
by NJ. Delaunay. professor OF the Ma
tional Conservatory Of France. and
accompanied by nj Raymond Bosard.
professor OF the National Conserva-
tory Of Montpelier.
Three epochs on music were Illus
trated by the Sonatas for violin and
piano by CoreIi. Schuman and
Lekeu. illustrating the Italian Ger
man ard French musical evolution
Spaiding's success was immense.
The society was publicly congratu-
lated for having chosen him and he
was caiied--a master In his art. an
4 - tAk NJ t. n
Incompatible style"
Both societies at Bordeaux and
MONTPELIER Immediately re-enzaged
Spalding for the fall season OF 1914, as
Spaiding will play in America n fall
| season Of 1918. and spring Of 1914
Spalding Is now touring Holland.
Edward Hume, who will he seen as
The Chimney Sweep in THE Heart
Breakers" the new musical comedy,
which Manager Mort I'll. Singer. win
present at the Academy. Christmas.
will be remembered for his clever work
with Frank Daniels and also with
The Flower Of the Ranch" several
seasons ago.
Mr.. Hume is considered one Of the
best eccentric dancers the muscal
comedy game today. and ample OPP
portunity has been given him to show
his versatility In the second act OF the
Heart Brakers." The chorus OF this
plea sing musical play has not only been
picked for their singing, but also their
dancing ability as well. and In the
Honolulu Honey Lou number in the
second act they more than prove It.
In an address to the Playgoers'
1eagua OF Boston. Mr.. Thomas e.
| shea declared that '-Sir Henry irving
- n a.
since the days OF Shakespeare. That
he was the pioneer OF detail. that he
was the arst to give atmosphere to
the play and that all others were fol-
lowers along the lines tina: be origi-
nalIv explored. For that reason aicne.
even II he had been like Shakespeare.
an inferior actor he Deserve NJ! the
honors that were shouered upon him
Fen the great, lasting and Anal honors
that were bestowed by the British gov
ernment In allowing his remains to
sest in Westminster Abbey"
Although Mr.. Shea has been inter-
ested In the classic drama since boy
hood. and had Witnessed the perform
ances Of Sir Henry many times, he
never had seen .The Bells' played by
anyone. and when he included 1t In
his list Of plays fifteen years aso. he
had 10 approach II without any fav-
orite bits OF business by others, and
was forced 10 delve and analyze and
carve out for himself hts wonderful
Characterization Of Matthias. 1T was
perhaps better that Il should be 90"
said Mr. Shea, for II ! had witnessed
tn" performance Of Cir Henry. In my
admiration for him ~ IN actor. scholar
ana man. I no doubt would have un-
consciously absorbed little tid-bits Of
turness here and there that would not
have fitted into the character N had
mn pped II out.
me in the East was the fact that the
critics gave mo credit for not initiating,
but grating distinct Matthias, and
at the same tins presenting : startling
an4 impressive chaEactsr that did not
rob the Dart Or play Of ~ moral and
|noyoxs