The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-26
The Lyric Theatre Opens .nls."

Standing behind the orchestra rail
in the Lyric Theatre, the beautiful lit
tie theatre which his energy and cour-
age had created, Jake Wells yesterday
watched two audiences from the grand
old State OF Missouri become convinced
that high class vaudeville was what
they had been wanting all the time.
Although he had been chcered and con-
graduated by kilograms from Cover
nors. Mayors and civic bodies through
out the South, well as from theatri-
cal and newspaper men all over the
East, Mr.. Wells knew tina, he had 10
show" Richmond. and he did It,
The house Itself has been so fully
described in the press that II remaing
necessary only to express the general
ity that II is genuinely beautiful. we'll
lighted and ventilated and convenient
from every standpoint Not only are
tho leather cushioned seats unusually
comfortable, but there Is not one from
which the whole stage may not be seen,
so great is the rake" or slope, Of or
chestra, balcony and gallery. and. either
by grace OF fortune or through the skill
Of the architect. the acoustic proper
ties Of tho house are perfect.
But even such theatre might have
housed an Indifferent bill: that II did
not and does not is due again to the
efforts of the admirable Mr.. Wells
doubtless ably assisted by Manager E.
p. Lyons. who, not content with show
ing what may he done with a cheaper
house has assumed charge of the new
theatre
After an overture by an orchestra of
six pieces under the direction of Leon
ard IA. Garvey, formerly Of the Colo
malls pit-the man, by the way. who
invented the art OF playing piano ac-
compartments TO motion pictures, the
letter "B' was flashed in the announc-
ing box, and on came tierberts Dogs.
which included eats, pigeons and game
cocks. besides the clever dogs. y we'll
dressed, smooth animal turn, the act
served well as an opener, receiving
several rounds of applause.
Next Marie 'enton. well-known on
the big time, entered in all her blonde
roundness and sang Il number of raggy
songs in an equal number OF striking
costumes The voice is not as striking
as the clothes.
Flinders Furnished Flat" owned,
produced and played by willard Sims,
assisted by his company of two. proved
to be Il farcical skit that set the house
in n roar. Imagine a man who has
never hung u foot OF wallpaper at
tempting TO paper whole room, and
you have the basis Of the sketch. AZ
forwards Sims and the woman came
down in front Of the curtain. and Sims
| did some cleverer, though not so up
roarious, work.
| Alexander and Scott, the two Virginia
Youngsters who have also been going
! big" on the large circuits. were greeted
as old friends. and proceeded to justify
the warmth of their welcome. Alexan-
der is really n shamelcssly good-look-
ing female impersonator who, without
his wig, Is also an exceedingly nico-
! looking boy, who looks like a man, and
| he has Il far better voice than most
of the male sopranos. while Scott works
we'll with him in the gladdcst clothes
that over adorned the body of q policy
| player.
Il William A Weston and company. in
a sketch called Attorneys" began In
a conventional manner. but quickly
went into--however. the change Is SO
unexpected and is 80 extremely good
when it has been effected that ii will
not be described.
j. Francis Dooley. assisted by
! Corinne Sayles, made easily the hit OF