The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-23
At the Theatres
BY HAL COFTMAN.


Al l4xS i xxS0k4 10
Story Of "Thc Penalty"
The audience at the Bijou felt
sorry for Jack last night. Jack was
the college son of New York parents
| of prominence. Their noxious doings
| literally made life curse to the boy
| and it was not until the very end that
! II became clear that Jacks mother
| paid THE Penalty" and not Jack.
| Which relieved everybody consider
! ably. even II the lady had just muir
dered James Carpenter and. little
! later. taken her own life for the sake
| OF her chee-ild's happiness.
| This happened to be Gladys Dexter.
! daughter Of New York parents OF
no cloud lowered Mrs. Dexter like
wise idolized jack. but shew as very
! nrm Her daughter must not
/ marry Jack 1t might never be.
Jack oh, Jack was all right but
4 marriage involves 'in-laws.' and
Jacks motehr had not been sufficient
/ ~ firm In repelling the attentions of
4 Mr.. Carpenter, before and after her
/ divorce from Jacks father. When
Jacks mother had not been sufficient
| grief were awful A check for $5,-
| 600 signed by Mr., Carpenter which he
| found In his mothers desk revealed
all Dark doings followed.
! Jack persuaded himself that he
must shoot Mr. Carpenter. Mr.. Car
renter demurred. suggesting M
/ Jack shoot his father instead, That
genial spouse. thought Jacks mother
was really to blame, but Jack was no
| Orestes Somebody had TO be shot.
| So Mrs Rutherford, the lady in arfes-
| t~L he hor
son and fired twice at James Car
penter's knees. He died off stage.
Then Gladys Dexter. Jacks inamo-
! rata, appeared. She explained how
| powerful a thing love was and how
when two hearts beat as one nothing
really nlattered. But Jack was all
keyed up to go to the electric chair
as mars proxy. 1t was his duty. Mrs.
Rutherford had been listening She
tells them both goodbye. and steps
! into the room containing the done
to- desth Mr.. Carpenter. A report re-
sembling that OF the sunset gun at
Governors Island follows. A long
| breath Is drawn. Jack and Gladys
are free and happy.
Adjectives most popular with audi
ence: Strong" thrilling Just
grand
/ treat Oh empire Bill.
There are clever performers and
| entertaining acts on the new Empire
| bill that yesterday began the week
at that theatre, but Captain Treat
and his trained seals offered a fea-
ture so rare that II is safe to say It's
like has never before been seen in
vaudeville in this vicinity. Five OF
them. neither mute, nor inanimate.
for they make plenty OF noise. rush
Through their work as children rush
to play. They juggle. WE'LL so mar
velously that never has there lived a
human SO unerring in skill. They
play on musical instruments. one of
them sings, almost, and the jolliest
comedy animal ever seen here pro-
vides laughter necessarily from start
to finish OF the act.
Jim Kelley and Anna Pollock, Offer
ing novelty comedy sketch teeming
with witty lines, new and clever songs
and graceful dancing feats. provide
q pleasing quarter hour.
Sutton, Mcintyre and Sutton. a girl
and two boys. acrobats OF a high
type, get away from tho ordinary line
followed by acrobats and present a
comedy sketch. The Pumpkin Girl"
The arrobAtic work Of all three II
finely done and In the novelty OF
their setting, the singing and dancing
In their act 10 one OF the most pleas
Ing to be seen.
Joe Kelley. OF great big, robus,
baritone voice, sang his way into the
affections OF the crowds last night.
Friedland and Clark. q man and
woman. Offering q novelty sketch.
which shows q German comedian and
an attractive Girl Of singing, ability.
| were wsll liked.
| Elegant picture plays. AT Scrog-
gins Corner" and THE Spanish
Cavalier" were followed by pictures
of the Titanic and scenes succeeding
the sinking Of the great ship. COM
pleting a strong bin.
Or. Mcdonald Feature At Colonial.
There can be n0 mistake made In
passing Judgment on the now week 4
bill which yesterday opened at the
Colonial. II IVES such rousing sue.
cess from beginning TO end that more
than the usual share OF entertain
ment was applauded out of the enter
tanners. The pictures were splendid
and generally appealing. the aides
showing the Titanic and incidents
succeeding the veaSel's sinking were
applauded for their ttmsliness Of dis
play.
| Getting into the vaudeville section.
and her husky brother. with q variety
Of feaas including wire walking. &C
cordeon playing. Juggling and Rus
sian dancing IN appropriate costumes
the bill opened with = rush.
Madeline Sack. billed a. 4 violin
virtuoso. displayed : massive red
plush drop BEARING her name and Of
tered on her violtr : classical num-
Der. a popular melody md on8 OF the
4 -