Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1895)
THE COURIER it JJ ! , dfefftfff .fan. it Fifty four people and twenty tliree horses, to say nothing of wagons, scenery, etc, go to make up "A Country Circus,"' which was given at the Lansing theater Monday Fuesday. In point of numbers and cquip L it was the most formidable theatrica cuation that has visited Lincoln since Dave WW Henderson of Chicago brought his "Sinbad company heie, though it is needless to say these two attractions have nothing in common. "A Country Circus" as at present organ ized is too expensive an enterprise for the uncertain appreciation of "the road," as the management will probably find out before the season is ever. If "A Country Circus" is long on Shetland ponies and trained dogs and real circus performers, it is most decidedly short on actors and actresses. The first two acts which are a pre u la to the great parade and the circus performance, bear a close resemblance to the familiar melodramatic exploits of the "10, 20 and .TO" combin ations. They could be dis pensed with, as the real ntercst of the play does not commence until the opening of the third act, and they needlessly prolong the show and tiro tho spectators. But if the management has skimped in the theatri cal part of the entertain ment, the circus depart ment has received most lavihh -treatment. The last two acts closely approach perfection in their way. Preceding the circus per or manco there is a street parade, and in this as in the circus, the heigth of real ism is reached. It is no counterfeit presentiment -.; ' you see, but the real thing.' -y The parade has numerous 'i ; bands of music, band wag .- ons, and circus wagons of alFdvso'riptions, a bear and an elephant and clowns, Shetlan 1 ponies and circus horses, men and women in all conceivable kinds of costumes, iucluding tights. There is the crowd of real spectators, and the parade is ten or fifteen minutes in passing. It is what Frank Polk would say is "great" the highest encomium anything in the show line can receive. Then comes the circus. Hero we have a real ring, and real bare-back riding, per formance on horizontal bar and trapeze, tumblers and acrobats and strong men, performing horses and dogs, a contortionist, etc, etc.. all excellent it their line. A band plays real circus music and pea nuts and lemonade are sold to the spectators. Tho circus perform ance was equal to many of the tented exhibitions seen in this city. "A Country Circus" is unique, and it is a big thing something that the people of Lincoln didn't find out until the company left town. Milton ana Dollie Nobles presented "For Revenue Only" at the Funke Monday evening. This is a political play and has been seen in Lincoln before. It is pronouueed the best work the Nobles have done in recent years. Mr. Nobles is often classed with a cheap school of actors with which he has little in common. He is really entitled to serious consideration as a painstaking, faithful actor of no mean ability. In "For Revenue Only" he shows his versatility and is decidedly clever at times. Dollie Nobles gives him charming support, and the rest of the company did their work fairly well. The play itself might be toned down and polished off, but it is not without merit, and is continuously amusing. "Henry IV" is a play in which women have little part. The host ess of the inn and Percy's wire appear and disappear and this is the ontl of femininity in the play; but the absence of women is scarcely noticed, as the action is rapid and Fahtaff and fighting and prepa rations for fighting occupy the major part of the attention. Warde and James "Henry IV." presented at the Lansing Thursday even ing is beautifully staged, and is an ambitious production. Warde in tho Prince has a part in fair accord with his capability and he gives a lively representation of the roystering heir apparent who finally becomes a hero of the field. James exhibits his versatility as Fahtaff. This actor's Fahtaff is in many respects original, and his characterization is easily the strongest part of the play. Both Warde and Junes have struggled hard as stars of the second degree and tha success they are now achieving is deserved. There are few more painstaking actors than this pair. Mr. Lindsloy's Harry Percy measured up well with the principals. The production is on a large scale and compares favorably with any recent Shakesperian presen tation in this citv. A SURE THING. A wild fear seized upon her. "He has gone forever," she shrieked. She had secretly enter tained the expectation that the man she had spurned would come back until she looked over the hat nick and found he had taken away a much better umbrel la than he had brought. "Forever," she moaned. FATAL. this pie, I ever see She Did jou ever ride without a saddle? He Yes, once, out in Arizona. She hesitated. "If I give you she asked, "will you again?" The individual with deep fringe on his trousers and gores in his coat shook his head. "Madame," he answered. "I will be frank with you. I am not prepared to say aught as to the possibility of such manifestation by thesoul8of the departed as to render them visible to the mortal eje." The dripping of the rain mingled with the sound of retreating footsteps, while there could be plainly heard a harsh, grating sound as of woman Irving to unchain a bulldog. THE IRONY OF FATE. A judge out west has decided that prisoners in jail cannot vote. Anybody ought to know that they are barred. BREAK IT GENTRY. "rlavc vou ever read that article on how to tell a bad cszV "No. I haven't, but my advice would be. if you have anything im portant to tell a bad egg. break it gently. THE ROUGHEST PART OF IT. Cureow I'd hate to fall from the fourth story of a building. Freake Of course you would. Cureow Well, it isn't the fall: it's riding to the hospital in city ambulance af terwayl. tho