The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-04
John Drew In
Langdon Mitchell's
Comedy This Week

John Drew. fresh from an engage
ment Of many weeks duration at the
Criterion theater, in New Yor't. and
an equally successful one at the
Blackstone theater, in Chicago. comes
to the Academy Of Music tomorrow
evening.
This most popular Of American
players vii: be. seen in the comedy.
Major Pendennis," made by Iart-
don Mitchell from the Thackeray
novel, Mr. Mitchell IS credited with
having made delightfully."- true por-
trait of life and manners OF the
Thackeray period and in the transit
ton from the book to the stage the
charming story has lost none OF 10
quaint charm nor picturesque en-
vironment 1t will be recalled that
Mr.. Michel Is no stranger in the field
of Thackeray, since he made Mrs.
Fiske's notable success, Becky
Sharp" from VANITY Fair" several
seasons ago.
Mr.. Drew, more than any other
American player perhaps, is splen-
didly equipped for the role of the
doughty likable major, whose duty 1t
is to rescue young Arthur Pendennis,
his nephew. from a long and extreme
ly amusing series of love affairs. To
the role he brings all the sympathetic
charm and picturesque manner re-
called from his well-remembered per-
formance in Rosemary" coupled
with all those clean-cut methods OF
light comedy identified with so many
of his more recent rolos.
During the four acts of Mr. Mitch
ellis comedy one meets with all the
personages of the Thackeray tale.
The staggering, slightly alcoholic
Costigan. his declamatory. actress
daughter, Emily, the amazingly frank
Lady Clavering. whose daughter, the
simpering Blanche, "swears at her in
female" the indiscreet Fanny Bolton,
the demure Laura Bell, the impulsive
Arthur Pendennis, the rascally Nor
gan and friendly George Warrington
A company including. several IA
vorites supports Mr.. Drew. In prom
inent roles there appears Helen Nickel
lar. Allison Skipworth, Jane Houston,
Helen Menken. Mary Worth Edith
Shayne, Walter kingsford, Edward
Phelan, Charles Kennedy. John s.
A World of Pleasure
In the last few years of its exis-
tence the New York Winter Garden
has become justly celebrated as an
institution where the last word in
monster spectacular extravaganZas
are turned out for the public's amuse-
ment In the theatrical world 1t has
become a staple institution for which
theatergoers are constantly alert
Neither time, money or labor Is spared
in making a big Winter Garden spec
tacle the last word in hugeness, mel
ody and beauty.
1t IL therefore with keen interest
that the theatergoers Of this city will
possibly the greatest extravaganza
sent on tour. "A World of Pleasure, u
which Is the title of this latest offer
ing by the directors of the Winter
Garden. lays claim to being even more
pretentious than its sister productions
1t will be seen at the Academy Thurs
day matinee and night.
II we are to Judge 1t on the merits
OF the practically all-star cast an
nounced by its producers. 1t is truly
we'll worth the publics attention
Numbered among the galaxy Of stars
We find such names to conjure with
as tNoiiiS, uCnH Va <niici ia
musician comedians: Conroy and lie
Marie. those grotesque but entertain
ing black face comedians; Wanda
Lyon, young lady possessing both
beauty and vocal perfection, and
withal, delightful personality: the
Courtney sisters. whose singing Is a
delight; Collins and Hart. whose
delightful burlesque is invaria bly, the
signal for unrestrained laughter on
the part Of audiences; Maurice Ola
mond and Helen Mcmahon, ex-vaude-
Williams of the headliner type; Frank
lin Battle, an all-round entertainer OF
the first water: and last but not
least. delightful little Rosie Quinn,
that irresistible little packet Of FEM
ininity, whose charms are indescrib-
able. Surely with this list of enter
tanners not much is left TO be re-
CURED,
But the principals OF this great
company OF nearly 100 people are not
all that 1t has to offer In Its bid for
patronage. The rosebud garden OF
Broadway has been carefully cleaned
In the selection OF the choice buds Of
the chorus with which the directors
Of the winter garden have surround
ed their stars. And there is also the
usual lavish expenditure of scenery
and costumes. Withal II Is an enter
tainment whose local visit should be
memorable n the annals q theatrical
hiseesy.