January 28, 1001.
TTIE OMAHA ILLUSTRATED BEE.
Gossip About Plays, Players and Playhouses
l EX Ht'R" may reasonably be listed
amonir th things that will lost.
Ha third visit to Omaha repeated
the story of Its former engage
ments -parkid house at each per-
furri.Hnce and a class of people who do not
ordinarily attend the theaters. B-ime of them
were there for the first time since the play
was Inst here, and some for the first time
In ttulr lives. Manager Towle says Omaha's
experience differs In nothing from that of
other cities, that the attendance Is the same
everywhere and that his years of going
alwut with the great production have con
vinced him that It comes home to people
who are not otherwise Interested in the
stage and Its doings. Some reason must
exist for this, and it can probably be found
In the now liitlnn of the mme of the Savior
of mankind with the story that Is told. It
was this undoubtedly that gave the great
Interest to the novel. As a story It does not
differ in any essential regard from a host
of other novels, with similar themes and
corresponding action. The plot and the
characters aro. of the most commonplace
sort, and, divested of the single element of
religious flavor, It may easily be doubted If
the first edition had been exhausted. But
to the tale of love and adventure, the per
sonality of Christ gives a glamor that
makes the tale attractive and to the devout
Beem almost like a revelation.
In developing the character of Ben Ilur
General Wallace very skillfully drew It
through the changes from an Intense and
arduous Jewish patriotism to a complete
surrender of earthly ambition and an ac
ceptance of Christ and Ills doctrine. To
fully appreciate this one must understand
something of the political conditions that
prevailed at Jerusalem and throughout the
land. The memory of the Maccabean re
volt was still fresh In the minds of all. I .ens
than two centuries before the birth of
Christ the Jews bad thrown off the Grecian
yoke and had established their Independence
again. This was but one of the great strug
gles for national existence through which
they bad passed. Their history Is a chron
icle of wars waged, not for conquest, but
for existence, and against a succession of
conquerors. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and
Greece had been overcome In turn, and why
not Homer The yoke was hateful to the
Jew, and he looked forward to the coming,
not of a religious leader, but of a mighty
man, whose valor should inspire his follow
ers to such deeds that they would break the
hold of Rome and Judea should again stand
Independent and upright among the peoples
of the world. This was the thought upper
most In the minds of the people, and when
they gathered at Jerusalem to be numbered
for the convenience of Caesar, that his
tribute-taking might be facilitated. It may
easily be believed that they were In no sub
missive frame of mind as regards the
Itoman. When the word was passed among
them that a babe had been born at Bethle
hem who was "to be King of the Jews," did
It not cause a secret wave of Joy to pass
through all the nation, except those who
were attached to Herod by interest? And
when Herod Issued bis dreadful bloody
order for the slaughter of the Innocents was
not this feeling heightened T How. eagerly
those proud, stubborn people must have
looked forward to that day when this new
born deliverer should come In his strength
and Israel should again throw off the grasp
of the foreigner, and Instead of paying
tribute to Rome should be taxed only to
support the national greatness that is still
to this day cherished so fondly by the In
dividuals of that race. It was this dream
that Is typified In Ben Hur. The family
wrongs he suffered are In part the wrongs
of the nation, and his desire for revenge on
Messala simply Illustrates the thirst for
vengeance that animated the nation against
the oppressor. No doctrine of returning
good for evil had yet been preached In
Jerusalem. The Jews yet worshiped the
God that had led them from Egypt; the God
whose wrath overtook Pharaoh In the Red
sea; the God whose word crumbled the
walls of Jericho to dust; the God before
whosa breath the host of Sennacherib
withered as flowers under the simoon's
blast; the God that sent Nebuchadnezxar
to eat grass In the fields and who broke the
might of Belshazzar as Samson broke the
withe that bound him. This God had made
for them a strict law of vengeance; "an
eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" was
tho lunguage of the code. A Just ephod had
they, and a Just hln, and It was to this
God they looked for deliverance from the
Roman. Ills will had overturned the might
It st of the mighty on earth; what reason,
tlun, to think that Caesar could prevail he
fore HlmT When the appointed time should
vome, liome wouiu Join with Jericho, and
Nineveh, and Babylon, and other cities
whose walls hud crumbled, and the legions
of Caesar would be with the hosts of
I'huraoh and Sennacherib.
Judah, son of Ithamar, prince of Hur,
could not have miss, d being Imbued with
this feeling. With the added weight of his
private wrongs, he must have been sealous
In his desire to take part In the struggle
that was to come against the Roman, In
all his uctlons he was animated by but
one thought and that was to secure ven
geance on the people who had so cruelly
wronged him. No thought of religious
revolution entered his calculations. The
teachings of the Nazarene were strange,
but no stranger than those of others whose
voices had been heard in the land from
the time of Moses and Aaron. One of the
wisest features of the Roman policy was
that It did not Interfere with the religion
of the peoples brought under subjection.
So long as the tribute was paid and Roman
authority generally recognized In secular
n. utters the huhjugated nation might wor
ship as It liked. Indeed, Rome not in
frequently paid a nation the compliment
of adopting some one of Its gods, adding
another to the collection of fanrs and tem
ples for which the Eternal City or some
of the other capitals were famous. Nor
did Rome go very far towards overturn
ing the local so eminent when the eagles
and the S. P. Q. R. standard were hoisted.
The tetrarch Herod had hardly been dis
turbed In his regal authority, and the san
hedrim was as potent at Jerusalem as ever.
It was the presence of Rome in the gov
ernor and the tribute takers, the legion
and the eagles that Irritated the Jews.
Ben Hur, like thousands of others, con
wins
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cerned himself little about the doctrine
preached by Jesus on his journeys; he
saw the evidences of a national awaken
ing and he made himself ready to do his
part toward a restoration of the greatness
of Judea. With his mental attitudes thus
Indifferent to the religious aspect of the
visitation of the Lord to the earth, the
depth of Ben Hur's disappointment may
be imagined when he discovered that the
leader he had followed, and for whose
entry to Jerusalem he had prepared, aimed
not at a restoration of the temporal power
and glory of the Jewish nation, but was
merely come to teach a new religious creed.
It seemed to him, as it must have seemed
to all those who thought seriously that
at that time the world had enough of re
ligions. Such a galaxy of gods never before
existed, and at no time since has such oppor
tunity been offered for the exercise of taste
In the selection of a shrine at which to wor
ship. It must have appeared to the educated
Jews a sorry jest that th,ls man, whose
Inflm nee was so poeent among his follow
ers, who had commended attention wher
ever he appeared, who "spoke as one hav
ing authority," and who had performed
such wonderful miracles, was merely a
religious tescher, and not a wonderful
politician and statesman, who should re
vive the dignity and glory of the throne
of Solomon. It was an affront to the
national feeling. Burely, they felt that
they had asked for bread and been handed
a stone. Not only that, but the religion
he taught was subversive of the religion
of their race and was tinctured with the
suggestion of humble submission to the
hated Roman. It is hardly to be won
dered at that the high priests and others
of the upper classes of the Jews turned
against Christ and demanded His crucifixion.
Forty years later the national feeling had
so worked on the Jewish people that Titus
found his most ditlleult tusk, that of sub
duing Jerusalem. Torn by Internal dissen
sions and In strife one against the other,
the factions of Jerusalem resisted the
Roman until starvation and disease ren
dered them no longer capable of resistance.
Nowhere In history Is there a record of a
more desperate struggle than that of the
Jews against the Roman soldiers who
sought to reduce the city to a complete
acceptance of Roman rule. It was the end
of the existence of Israel as a political en
tity. But Judaism as a religion still per
sists with a tenacity that has no parallel.
These circumstances must be given due
weight when "Ben Hur" Is given critical
consideration, and when they are properly
valued the Intrinsic worth of the Wallaco
novcj becomes the more apparent. It was
a daring expedient the author resorted to,
and fairly required the miracle performed
In the Vale of Hlnnom, to convert the lead
ing character to the new doctrine. It Is
easily understood that the mind of Ben
Hur had undergone a more or less thorough
preparation for the transition, and that he
was really In a receptive mood when the
supreme moment came. At any rate, ho
would have been much less than a heard If
he had not out of sheer gratitude to the
man who gave him back his mother and
sister from their living death have ac
cepted His teachings and followed In His
ways.
At Its best, "Ben Hur" Is melodramatic.
The intense dramatic situations possible
are subdued In Interest of spectacular ex
hibitions, and slight tribute Is paid to the
intelligence of the people by the accentua
tion of the chariot race and similar Inci
dents rather than an exploitation of the
ethical difficulties presented. Balthazar
and Slmonldes represent the ethical and In
tellectual phase of the play, while Ben Hur
and Messala,. Esther and Iras embody Its
purely physical aspect. The psychic hardly
raises above the plane of commonplac
for at no time does the spiritual divorce
Itself from the physical. The "heart Inter
est" element Is forced to the front at the
start, and holds the place, till the final
curtain.
It will hardly be claimed that "Ben Hur"
teaches any "lesson." It Is more a glori
fication of the elemental belief of the pro
fessors of the Christian faith. It is certain
that, stripped of the glamour of religion,
the story and the play alike become very
tame, and It Is almost as certain that
neither would attract the attention that
has been besowed upon them. As It Id,
both have a following that is not likely to
be disturbed by critical analysis or the
passage of time.
Something of a warning to writers who
exhaust their superlatives In enthusiastic
outbursts over novelties Is found In the
following from John Corbln, referring to
the exiled Russian players who have re
cently been appearing In New York:
The heightened, not to say superlative,
enthusiasm with which the Kussian playeis
have been greeted makes it not a little
difficult for the humdrum observer of
things theatric to sneak a word of praise,
Hnd especially as this popular furore seems
helpful to the -enerous effort which it Is
happy ending. Hut truth plods a long road
In the dust where ecstaey soars to an lea
rian fall; so here's for honest pedestrlan
Ism as airalnst the allurements of the crit
ical disciples of Santos-Oumont.
How has It been possible to discover, as
so many have plumed themselves upon dis
covering, that Orleniflf and his company
are the most marvellously artlsllo actors
which this town has ever been permitted
to delight In? Has Fifth avenue been sud
denly Russlanlr.cd. like the flowery, or have
we all received the Rift of tongues? I hear
the ready answer, like a parrot call.
"Really, their acting Is so marvellously
suestiva that you know Just what they
are snyln without understanding a word!"
It was the cry of the nn-ltallanate disciples
of Iuse. and no doubt It will conllnue to
serve the provincial mind for years to eorne
in place of sober and laboriously acquired
understanding.
The fallacy under which the enthusiasts
are laboring Is. to be sure, very human and
nlmost universal Nothing Is like Ignor
ance for fostering Imaginative belief and
If the rhurch had reason to put Galileo and
his discoveries out of business the patrons
of the arts have a no less valid irrlevance
against Oolumbus. When knowledge comes
In at the do T fancy flies out at the window.
The first essential of a play, however,
great. Is that It should be. if not clear, yet
at least humanly Intelligible; but would
"Hamlet" or the second part of "Faust"
be admired as they are If even the critic!
pundits had not thrown up their hands
and bade us to search them If we thought
they had concealed on chelr persons the
li V JT f th household, for without
it no happiness can be complete. How
sweet the picture ot mother and babo,
angels smile at and commend the
thoughts and aspirations of the mothet
bending over the cradle. The ordeal through
which the expectant mother must pass, how.
ever, is so full of danger and suffering that
she looks forward to the hour when she shall
SKI
keys to the mystery? How many of the
supreme masterpieces of sculpture are pre
served In their perfection? It Is the weak
ness of Praxiteles, we are told, that his
work Is too finished In detail, as witness
the Hermes. Phidias, you observe, had the
supreme gift of Inducing time to corrode
and a Venetian adventurer to shstter his
marbles. The Venus de Medlcls and she of
the Capitol are perfect ladles, and peo
ple say all sorts of rude things of them.
The Venus of Mllo artful minx! shuffled
off her feet, threw away her arms and
now poses as the greatest moral beauty
on earth. The Victory of Bamothrare not
only cast off her extremities, but further
showed her cleverness by losing her head,
and people say that she Is more than a
foddess the embodiment of some cosmic
orce, majestically triumphant. Great Is
the fame of the Pre-Raphaelltes and, as
Pinero has pointed out, the doom of the
Impressionist Is sealed when be learns to
draw. And so, to come back to our mut
tons, It would perhaps be all day with our
Russian panegyrists If we had the least
Idea what their Idols are talking about.
Much, It is true, can be gathered from
what actors call pantomime. Sir Charles
Wyndham has told us that It Is the essen
tial as It was the primitive element In the
actor's art and that he Is accustomed to
develop all his visual effects before he
troubles to master the exact language of
bis author. The fact that his authors ob
jected he admitted with an Indulgent smlls
t the artist's vanity. I,nnfllow. when
suffering from weak eyes, tried the experi
ment of following a play with his ers
slone and found that the better half of the
performance escaped him. Tlderot made It
a test In Judging an actor to shut his ears
and see how much he could gather through
mere visual Impressions
And yet Is the art of the mummer or
mlmer a very different thing from panto
mime? If fare end gesture pould tell every
thing, how did It happen that the primi
tive man. struggling with life on unequal
terms, has everywhere found time to In
vent the art of speech? Why does the
prapmatlcnl mnnnirer pay authors to write
a lot of words, and why do those sturdy
bogsnrs. the actors ever bother to learn
or 'w-nk them? That eTcellent critic of
act'iir. the prince of TVnmark. counselled
hi players not on'y to suit the action to
the word, but the word to the action.
Coming; Events.
This afternoon and evening at the Boyd
"The Isle of Bong Bong" will be offered.
This merry conceit has met with much
success In Omaha and Its airs are heard on
every hand. The funny moves of John W.
Ransome and the clever work of Alioe
Tnrke and Anna Boyd are Just as popular
here as they have been anywhere, and the
whole affair Is a real hit. The engagement
ends this evening.
Beginning on Monday evening Fred C.
Whitney's great musical and spectacular
extravaganza, "Tho Land of Nod," comes
to the Boyd theater for a return engage
ment. When this company visited Omaha
a few weeks ago it scored such a hit that
the present visit was then planned. "The
Land of Nod" Is a succession of pretty
pictures, sweet songs and engaging cho
ruses, Interspersed with the drollest of
comedy and Just a little uproarious fun.
William Norrts heads the fun makers, and
In hla character of the Man in the Moon
has added a big mark to the list of dls
tlnctfve creations. Ho sings sweetly and
has several very pleasing numbers. One
of them, a trio with the Dovey sisters. Is
worth the price of admission alone. Alice
Povey Is the leading soprano and has
made for herself as much of a success as
Mr. Norrls. Knox Wilson, who In In a
elnss all hy his lonesome. 'Is another of
the company, and the roster contains other
names aa well known. The engagement la
for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday even
ings and a matinee on Wednesday.
Frank Howe, Jr., who is directing the
tour of "The Serlo-Comlc Girl," the ve
hicle used to exploit Nellie Beaumont and
Richard F. Carroll as co-stars, has pro
vided Mr. Carroll with a role that fits
f.Music and Musical Notes
HE ORCHESTRA concert given by
Mr. Uamrosch and his men on
Thursday night at the Auditorium
was a success In every way. A
much larger crowd turned out
. any other conductor. The name of
Vv. ugaer proved a magnet. Mr. Ltemroscn
placed all the old familiar compositions. I
feur there were a few of us who would have
liked to hear' a miscellaneous program
with some less well-known works upon
it. The audience was not particularly re
sponsiveOmaha people seldom are. Many
of them stem to look upon clapping as
unnecessary. Waxin recognition at the end
of a concert Is well .4gh unkuown. The
women pin on their hats like mud, and the
men hustle into their overcoats as if "the
bogie man was goln' to get 'em if they
didn't watch out." What is tills fever of
unrest which seises people in the middle of
the lust number? Ten minutes grace isn't
going to wreck any man's hope of salva
tlun. Any poor unfortunate who attemps
to "take his time" Is In danger of his life.
It's a tie whether you hurry till yuu get a
nervous lump in your throat, or have any
where from three to nine people walk over
you and jam your hat over your eyes with
, their elbows, not to mention standing cheer-
fully on your feet. Then when you do get
up, it is as if you had been struck by a
high wind. Everything you have on has
the feel as of wuves receding from the
shore. Why must Americana worry so?
This Is the curse of the time we live in.
I must say I sympathize with the old
time darkey, who after the war encoun
tered the maelstrom of northern strenu
osity. "I long to see dat easy world.
Where no one's In a flurry;
And where, when it oomes lime to die,
Uis nigger needn't hurry I"
Mr. Damroech and rli Welngoriner
are sharing honors in the conducting of
the Nw York Wyiiiplioiiy orchestra on
this to sr. They are working together In
harmony to the astonishment .of the pro
fession. Hume one tk4 Mr. puisrusch
if Welngrlnr was going to take com
plete charge of the orchestra alter this
season, that being tit popular surmise.
Mr. LnnosU Mild "No! This combina
tion simply mean that two conductor
are working in complsie appreciation tf
each other." Mr. Uamrosch ha engaged
the famous Munich conductor to assist
him for two season.
remarkable, vlswsd in the light of prgfus
aional jealousy, It la also estremely en
couraging7,
On tho evening of February 10, at tht
Lyric theater, seventy-Ay children will
appear In a little operetta entitled, "Boy
Blue." Mis Horenasn ha been drilling
the children. Hh wa for several year
director of musio In tha Portland, Ore.,
public schools, and until Mrs, Heller gav
up ber kindergarten on Farnam street In
structed the young people there, so h
has had much experience In this line of
work. "Boy Blue" Is by Thorns ghephard;
the muslo Is said to be bright and at
tractive, Tb costume are a feature, and
there will be some pretty dancing. Th
entertainment la given under th manage
ment of the AU Points Sunday school. Th
money will b used In donating? a stained
glass window to th nw church.
The Philharmonic prvhestr ha changed
the date fit It concert until some time
In the for part of February.
The third rehearsal of the new "Messiah"
thorua wo held Monday night at th FUl
him personally better than anything lie
has essayed in recent years. The truth
Of this statement will be manifested when
he comes to the Boyd theater next Thurs
day night to open an engagement of three
nights with a matinee on Saturday.
"The 8erlo-Comlc Girl" Is a comedy, with
muslo. In three acts, by Israel Zlngwill. The
Story of the play Is an Interesting one, deal
ing with a double life of a well-born Irish
girl, who goes to London as companion
to Mrs. Maper, the rich but Illiterate mis
tress of Holly Hall. While at the Maper
a theatrical manager, Fussy Josephs, Is
entertained by her songs and dances and
speaks to her of a career on the stage
In London. After a quarrel with Mrs.
Maper, she leaves, to become the governess
to the children of Mia Lee Carter and
during the evening appears In serlo-comlcs
at the Savoy muslo hall. Inadvertently
she becomes the most popular muslo hall
linger In London.
At the Burwood theater during the com
ing week the bill will be "Rosemary," one
of the sweetest comedies In the I2ng!lsti
language. It deals with an affair of the
heart and tells a story full of human In
terest In such a way as to hold the au
ditor from flret to last. It will afford Mr.
Morrison a fine opportunity for a higher
grade of comedy work than he has had
yet, and In the role of Blr Jasper Thorn
dyke, Nin which John Drew has so often
been seen here, he will undoubtedly score
heavily. Miss Lang will be the Dorothy
Crlckshank of the bill and In the role will
have scope for her swee?:y sympathetic
nature. Mr. Oven, Mr. Fulton and Mr.
Schofleld each have fine parts, and the re
hearsals Indicate smooth perMrmance from
the beginning. "Rosemary" will bo played
each evening during the coming week, with
matinees on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday,
For two nights and one matlneo. starting
with a matinee today, Mr. Harry Beres
ford In his new play, "The Woman Hater,"
will be the attraction at the Krug theater.
"The Woman Hater" Is an amusing farce
and not impossible. It la clean and whole
some. Its lines are bright, witty and
snappy; Its situations piquant without be
ing vulgar, and Its climaxes are said to be
of the most thrllllnply ridiculous charac
ter. The company with which Mr. Beres
ford has surrounded himself ranks as one
of the best now on tour. The engagement
closes Monday night.
For two nights and one matinee starting
Tuesday night, January 30, "Tracked
Around the World" will be the attraction
at the Krug theater. T'nscrupulous and un
relenting vljllnny In tho persecution of an
Innocent young girl, the dastardly attempts
to rob the victim of her fair name and the
prevention of foul crime by a logical aleuth,
whoSs himself In love with the young girl.
Is the theme upon which the play Is
founded. An Innovation Is the Introduction
of ten beautiful show girls, whose pretty
faces and bright costumes add charm and
give a finish to the sung numbers. There
will be the usual matinee on Wednesday
afternoon.
A "pool room" in full operation Is one of
the many Interesting scenes disclosed In
A. H. Woods' newest melodramatic seasa
tion. "Fast Life In New York." billed to be
presented at the Krug theater for three
nights and Saturday matinee, starting
Thursday night, February 1. All of the ex
citement attendant upon the usual running
of a big horse race Is shown. The usual
miscellaneous congregation of owners, gam
blers, touts, etc., are depicted true to life,
and Julian Rose In the character of Sammy
Congregational church, with Mr. Thickstun
at the three-manual pipe organ. This ucw
musical organization has been launched
without noise or flourish, but ha mode an
auspicious beginning. It contains many of
the salaried church singers ot Omaha and
is composed entirely of well chosen voices.
It is proposed to Import soloists from other
cities and to give a full rendition, with full
orchestra. Mr. Ira li. Peiiniinun, who has
recently taken charge of the music of the
First Congregational church. Is the con
ductor of the oratorio chorus.
The School of Illustrated Music Is plan
ning a series of interesting "Musical Story
Programs," to be played the first and third
Saturday mornings of each month, begin
ning February 3. The programs begin at
11 o'clock, and a most cordial invitation Is
extended to all.
Next Sunday evening a special musical
service will be held at the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Ellis Is making a specialty of
these elabora'b programs once a month.
ri '
Mim. Nordlca will anpear In concert at
th' Auditorium In Aprti She Is making a
six weeks' recital tour after the opera sea
son at the Metropolitan in New York.
The Metropolitan Grand Opera company
will sing In Chicago at the Auditorium the
week of April Z. (Save your money!)
The following squib from "Music and
Musicians" takes a little different view of
George Sand's effect upon Chopin. Maybe
the happiness he had balanced the final
sorrow, There Is a price to pay for living,
even for a little while, "on the heights":
Whenever Chopin's connection with
George Sand is mentioned, una htuis a good
dual of the misery and nothing or little of
th hupplness which accrued to him out
of It. The years of temternt and devotion
are slurred over, and her Infidelities, grow
ing Indifference, and final il.-a.-rlmn are
dwelt upon with undue emphasis. What
ever those of Chopin's friends, who were
not also George Suud s flit-mis, may suy,
we may Iw nre tl!St I; 3 J;;s but welshed
his sorrows. I It resulu'eness must have
been an Invaluable aiipHut to so vaullu
tlng a character as Chopin's was, and, al
though their natures were In rnuny r
spect discordant, the poetlo element In
her connot but have found sympathetic
chords In his. E-very character hi many
aspects; but the world la little disposed to
see more than one side of George Sand's
namely, that which is most conspicuous by
Its defiance of law and custom, and finds
Th fact la rather Presion In loud declamation and denund
n. ii. i.. - . atlon. To observe her In one of her more
luvahl attitude of mind, we will transport
ourselves from t'honln's to her salon.
Inula Enault relate how one evening
Onorgtt Kmiil. who sometimes thought aloud,
when with Chopin, this being her way of
dialling, spoke of the peaerf illness of the
country, and unfolded a ph'ture of the
rural harmonies that had nil the charming
and negligent grace of a village idyl, bring
ing, In fact, her beloved Herry tu the fire
side of the room in the feUjuare d'Orleans.
"How well you have spoken"' Said
Chopin, naively.
"You think so?" she replied. "Well, then,
Set ma to niuslc!" Hereupon Chopin Im
provised veritable pastoral symphony,
and tleorge Band, placing herself beside
Mm end laying her hana gently on his
shoulder, said: "Ho on, velvet finders!"
(''Courage, dole Is de velours!").
There Is am ' her aneidute of nulet home
life. Qeorge flan-' Imd Utile dog, which
wa In the habit of turning round and
round, and she endeavored to catch lis
tail. One evening, when it was thus en.
faged, she said to Chopin: "If I had your
alent. I would compose a pianoforte niece
for this dog." Chopin at unce sat down
t the piano and improvised the charming
Walls In II fist P- tUi, hlr'h hence has
obtained the name of "Vaise du tvtit
Ohien." This story Is well known anv.no;
(he punlls nd friends of the master, but
not always told in exactly the same way.
Accordln to another version. Chopin Im
provised the wait when the little dug was
r laying with a ball of wool. This varla
lon. however, doe not' affwt th pl-h of
tb tory. .. WUg-NEO.
Ik-ntt-ln, who, in accordance with the
story of the play, is "among those present."
furnishes the requisite touch of comedy
mcessary to relieve the situation at the
critical moment. This scene Is staged In a
truly realistic manner, and to those wh)
have never observed the Interior of a real
pool mom during the running of a big race
will be a source of much Interest.
A bright and varied bill Is announced at
the Otpheum for the week beginning with
a matinee this sfternoon. At the head
of the roster are the Kloes sisters from
the Hippodrome, London. They, like a
' number of others on tho program, came
here for the first time. They perform n
assortment of equlllbtlstlc "stunts" of the
most difficult nature. One of them Is said
to be possessed of wonderful strength.
While hanging by her legs on Roman
Hups she permits the other two to per
form on her outstretched arms. Barnold's
d"Ks. monkeys and cats do a variety of
cute and amusing little turns. Indian club
manipulation where a company Is engaged
has extensive possibilities as a sensational
and bewildering entertainment and the
four puzzling Normans are reported to be
remarkable experts In this calling. J. A.
Murphy and Elolse Wlllard will offer their
latest nonsense In "The Phrenologist."
Murphy la a master at distorting the Eng
lish language. McCue and CnhlU, styled
tho "Irishmen with Italian Volcssj" At.
Cnrletun. "The Skinny Guy," with his
latest In story and song; Welch and Malt
land, the limber and droll comedians, and
acrobatlo dancing girl, and timely new
klnodrome pictures will complete the bill.
Gossip from Stegelnnd,
Thompson Dundy have hit upon one
outlet for their great productions at the
New York hippodrome. They have com
pleted plans tor an early presentation of
The new musical comedy, "Comin' Thro'
the Kye," which was brought out in New
York last week, does not seem to have
awakened the big metropolis from its
lethargy when it comes to accepting musi
cal shows of recent vintage.
"A Yankee Circus on Mars" at the Uoslon ,
theater, Button. This is one of the Urgent
houses in the country, and will aliviu am
ple loom for the Introduction of the lilp
podrume s hi st great success, minus tuc
auuatlc features of "The Kaideis. "
Two big productions that have been
shelved ua account of poor business are
Joe Cawthorne s llrst starring enurt, "Frits
in Tammany Hail,'' and the Hall Caiue
melodrama, "The 1'rodlgal bjii," which lias
llnally been laid away ailer making every
efiort to keep it alive.
Wilton Luckuye and the members of his
company are again playing "Trilby," a re
vival of that play Having been made for
lackue's present engagement in McVlck
er s theater, Chicago, it is striking of the
old play that il is creating the accustomed
(n rule at every performance in the Windy
City.
James J. Corbett, In the Shaw play,
"Casbel Bryou's Profession," uespito tne
uulavorable leceplion of the play in New
York by the critics, ha begun to snow
healthy signs of picking up in favor. On
tins account the brief engagement booked
at Daly s theater there lias been extended
to the Majestic theater, where Corbett will
be seen in lurther performances of this
peculiar play by the brilliant Irish satirist.
Otis Skinner ho closed his tour In "His
Grace Lv Orammonl " and is headed tor
New York, where he will soon take, up re
hearsals of the new play, "The Duel,"
which is to be brought out in the east
by him in the immediate future. Mr. Skin
ner lost week remained on lour in order
to open the new Henry Boyle theater in
Fond Uu luc, Wis., which has been built
by enterprising citizens of thai city.
The big production of the George Kd
wardes musical comedy, "Verouique,"
whicii was originally brought to this coun
try by Klaw Ac Krlauger and their asso
ciates and which is neoilng the end of
Its run in Boston, will, it Is reported, pass
into the hands of the Siiuuerls. The lat-tc.-
intend to secure an American company
for the pretty piece and materially local
ize it before sending it on tour.
Maude Adams is to remain at the Em
pire, lu New York, an Indefinite period.
Her success there In "Peter Pan" Is so
pronounced that she will likely remain for
tne season. Her time on tne road has
been htled up by a switch in the routes
ot William Collier and W. H. Crane. The
two stars will play the greater port of
the outside tune held for Iinss Adams this
season. Dawrence D'Orsay will lake up
some of Collier's time.
KUtt Wheeler Wilcox' play, "Mizpah."
founded on the Biblical story of h-siher,
will have its production for the first time
in Baltimore this wees., commencing to
morrow evening. Manager Charles Toll
man has secured a big production and
splendid cost tor the opening, lu the com
pany are J. 11. Gilmour, Charles Hal bury,
vS iiltain Harcourt, Stanley Dark, Kulph
Iieimore, Frank Tannehill, Jr., olive Oli
ver, Adele Block and several other.
A big company is being organised for
llttiM W'iUnLiiiM' snii,tnrL in her new mu
sical comedy which is to be brought out
iu,iin llurrv k'lli irt M rMf'HIlL U.tlill I lo II.
Kelly iiad lurmed a vaudeville partnership
with Charles Guer, but it seems that this
was abandoned in order for Kelly lo join
the Frohman company now tunning for
Miss Williams' support. Several Knglisu
players in ixlna May's company win not
sail back lo ingland tills month, but will
remain her to join the W illiams company.
So the llernnaidl tent tour lias been ex
ploded. Thruugu the demand of Klchard
Aianslield 11 turns out that Bernhardt lias
never been refused time in the big thealtrs
for the very good reason that her lour
wu8 booked in hull and special houses
outside of the syndicate. Tne idea lhal
she was lo play in lent through Texas
s.-cms to have grown out of tins and made
interesting reading. Incidentally II was but
another illustration of the undlguihed man
lier in which the Bernhardt lour ha been
publicly exploited this season.
Mine. Fremsied. the famous prima donna,
is certain thai sua lias solved the servant
question. She has a vulel, who, she de
clares, is an expert iu woman s clothes,
whose taste I periect and who is ail artist
ill tne combination of colors. The linger
declared recently: "1 Wouldn't think of
going back lo maids again, lie never ap
pears Willi a headache when 1 am pailicu
la i ly rushed, and when I am nervous lit
placidity Is must soothing. He is not for
ever thinking of his best young man, and
I can ulways depend upon him. He has
mustered tne art of serving, and saves me
an enormous umount of bother and worry.
With a record of over ilAt performances
in New York lu lixr credit, Almgarut Aug
llli had closed her season there 111 ''Zuu, '
ail emotional play, which ran for tin
length of lime at the Princess theater.
Miss Anglill lakes lo tlie road this week,
beginning her tour In L'tlca, N, V. It I
iioTulile mat silica "Mrs. Dune Defense''
tin finely equipped emotional actress hu
been forced to await further recognition
until this season, when her indepenueiil
venture was apparently doomed lo failure
In advance, bne has, however, when it
WO ieusi eipwcled. made 111 lilt of her
career tu dale, and it looks as if ''ZliV
will serve the pin pose of firmly establish
ing Miss A rig Un a a star.
Or. Lyon's
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30 Y O
THIS AFTERNOON - - - TONIGHT
B. C. Whitney's Sparkling Musical Comady
THE ISLE OF BONG BONG
Company of 75, including JOHN W. RANSOME
BIO CAST. MULTITUDE OF PRETTY WOMEN.
MONDAY-TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY-SPECIAL WEDNESDAY MATINEE
RETURN ENGAGEMENT
OF
NOD
3 NIGHTS, BEGINNING THURSDAY MATINEE SATURDAY
FRANK HOWE. JR., Presents
An Original Comedy with Musi
ierio-Gomic irl
Tho
.WITH.,
NELLIE BEAUMONT-RICHARD CARROLL
And a Big Company of Musical Comedy Stare
Pony Ballet Pretty Girls Gorgeous Gowns Catchy Music.
B IS RWOOD
The Woodward Stock Co.
THIS AFTERNOON - ALL WEEK
irrrrr
W R s E m
PROFESSIONAL MATINEE TUESDAY DOUBLE ORCHESTRA
REGULAR THURSDAY MATINEE.
Prices: Nights, Sunday Mat, I0-23c. Tue., Tbura., 5at flat, 102Uc
Next Week - CHARLEY'S AUNT.
SEES I
nwsjr
2 NIGHTS AND ONE MATINEE
STARTING WITH
jTiis-i isiii MisiwissisiiiMsess
THK POPULAR FAVORITE
HARRY OERESFORD
"THAT ODD FELLOW," Direction J. t. Coleman, Presenting
THE WOKV3AN HATER
A CONTINUOUS LAUGH.
2 NIGHTS AND WEDNESDAY MAT., I A M OO
STARTING TUESDAY NIGHT JAIVs OU
A. II. Woods' Monster Spex'taculor Melodramatic Production
Tracked Around the World
By C. A. Taylor, A Company of
40 Forty Clever Artist9 40
Headed by C.KOKG1K MACK, the "Hoy Detective."
New Costume, New Scenery, New Hongs and Pretty Girls.
3 NIGHTS, STARTING THURSDAY- CET PS fl
MATINEE SATURDAY. T El L3
A. II. WOODS Presents Theo. Kremer's Latest Success
Fast Life in Hevs York
Four Acts and Twelve Scenes, Introducing
JULIAN ROSE As Ksmmy Iksnsteln
'A
A PLAV OF THE PEOPLE FOR
THKILLING CLIMAXES, WONDERFUL SITUATIONS.
I IMIIIIU) JIJII.
ICttf1dES
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n CNIKHTOM
Tbone 404.
WEEK COMMENCING
Sunday Matinee Jan, 28
Today 2:15 Tonight 8:15
MODERN VAUDEVILLE
KLOES SISTERS
I.'quiilbrlHtlc Marvel
BARNOLD'S
Dogs. Cats and Monkey
4 JUGGLING N0RMANS--4
The World' Greatest
MURPHY & WILLARD
In Tlie Phrenologist
McCUE & CAHILl
"The Irishmen With The Italian
voice
hi. CARLETOH
"The Skinny Guy"
WELCH & MAITLAND
Limber Comedian and Acrobatlo
Iancln Girl.
KINODROME
Novelties In Motion Picture
PRICES-IOc 25e 50c.
FREE!
To Introduce our up-to-date
Jewelry we will rive away,
absolutely free, Uii baud
some ferfamed Lui-Ly
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without expense to yon.
Wear one aud be in luck
ail the tint. Address,
MILfORB lEwELRT CO..
! BUder, Ceaa,
AMCSEMK5T9.
Woodward & Burgess
Managers.
With tha Clavarast Comadlans
WILLIAM HORRIS
KNOX WILSON
and tha Famous
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THEATER
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16c, 25c, GOc, 7Go
MATINEE
TODAY
THK PEOPLE.
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