The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-24
THE LITTLE THEATRE.
"The Merry Countcne.r

"The Merry C0untcss.n
With a superabundance III Vienaese
ghtter and ga!ety. touch of Lon
uoh hunor. and liberal sprfnkling Of
New York Wit. Tho Merry Countess,
direct from remarkable engagement
comes 10 the Academy tomorrow
night.
The score of this exquisite operctta
Is "n unqacnchable delight, being the
masterpiece of Johann strauss. recog-
nized the world over az the unIispui-
ed Waltz King. The consensus of
critical opinion was that The Merry
Countess realized the fondest hope OF
the fatigued amusement seeker. and
that IT nlled ~ long -fnlt want.
The story Is brisk aud delig htfully
progressive. dealing in a whimsical
manner with pseudo royalty and ultra
modern social conditions. both in this
country and abroad. Tho scenes. as
they occur. ate: Rosalinda's (the coun-
tess) boudoir. the Arun, Lily Club.
where Prince Orlonsky's ball trans
pres. and the governors house in the
New Age Prison. where all the gay
revclers are found ccrrailed by min
ions OF the law. This prison. how
ever is marvellous institution. It
makes point OK catering to It's pris-
oners, VINO are designated M guests
and allows them to mix in the most
approved fashion. just as though they
wero paying their own expenses at a
fashionable resort Herein IS sit
uation with unlimited scope for hilari-
Gus fun. and TO say that the opportu-
nifty is seized with a vengeance ana
made 10 loom large on the horizon of
unrestrained pleasure. is but repeat
ing pintitude 1t is in this scene
too. that the rantalizing dance melody.
@,.I
with all the nrior and charm imagln-
able
Miss Mabel Baker is the prima
donna, and is surrounded by a cast
of unusual excellence. including Ar
thur Clough, Dale Winter. Carl Haydn
May Field. Pacic Ripple. Charles
Udell, Harry carter and Jack Hender-
son.
Keith Vaudeville Begins mt Lyric To-
Morrow.
Thousands have already seen the in
terror OF the beautiful Lyric Theatre
Several thousands wiil see 1t at it's
prcttiest. tomorrow when the Keith
vaudeville performances. 20 be staged
there shall launch the theatrical sea-
son OF lsl3-Ieil. and, also. mark the
beginning OF it's career as one OF the
sights OF present day progressive
Richmond Vaudeville OF many varle-
ties has been offered In this city In
recent years. but. not in a full five
years has the brand distinguished by
the prefix of Keith been seen here
abouts. That name signifies the quail
ity OF tho entertainment to prevail at
sthe Lyric. Wherever vaudeville IS pre-
emirently popular in the United States.
and vaudeville that is really vaude-
Vile is styled Keith vaudeville there
the best displays Of human ingenuity
and excellence are to be seen.
Seven acts OF vaudeville will be the
main features OF the entertainment
Others will rest in the neauty OF the
theatre. the playing Of n specially Sc
lectcd orchestra OF six pieces. and n
new motion picture subject, the high
~ interesting pathe Weekly, to sup
ply an artistic attractiveness to the
complete hill. Special care has been
exercised in the arrangement OF the
initial weeks bill. the experts of the
United Booking Offices have carefully
booked the appearance of septet OF
widely varied and splendid features
II carries no great name. the engage
ment OF which would reccssitate the
expense OF usually complete bill
at the sacrifice in merit OF the other
offerings on the program. but 1t does
carry seven distinct and deserved
~ popular vaudeville features. each