THE COURIER
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
"Tho Country Circus" which has a strong hold upon the affections
of our theatro-gocrs will come to town and figuratively pitch its
tents within the walls of tho LatiBing theatre next Monday for three
performances, Monday evening, Tuesday matinee and evening. Who
cares that the ring be smaller than Barnum's? You can see all the
wonders better tho trained horses, who shoot one another dead or
play leap frog at the crack of the whip, or the wonderful dogs which
can do almost anything but talk and really seem to try to do that,
and many other attractions that are absolutely new. "The Country
Circus' is too well known hero to need any extended description.
The delicious New England comedy which precedes it, is as quaint
as ever, and all tho strongest features of the tanbark of last year are
retained, but the chief attraction now lies in the many new absolute
novelties which this enterprising firm of managers have added to
their already enormous attraction. There are thirty-three Shetland
ponies ranging in size from little Wee wee, who weighs only thirty
six pounds, to Muldoon, the wrestling pony, who weighs nearly 300.
This herd of ponies has heretofore been a rare treat to the ladies
and children. They are as gentle as kittens and 6eem to crave the
attentions of the ladies and love to be petted. A new act has just
been introduced and will be seen for tho first time in this city. It
is Luciano Tatili, the Flying Serpent. It is a contortion act while
flying through the air; it is said to be not one of those disgusting
ordinary feats of contortion usually seen, but is described as a sen
sation. Another attraction for the children is that celebrated
clown, Billy Conrad, who with his dogs and ponies, can almost give
an evening's entertainment. William Showles, who was for the
past two seasons, the star of the Barnum show, is with "The Coun
try Circus' now. This gentleman has kept apace with the times,
and is today considered the best bare-back rider in the world. La
Belle Tina, another recruit from the Barnum & Bailey show, is a
most beautiful and accomplished young woman, and is a living
example of what may be accomplished by a thorough course of
training. Next in order, comes a troupe of real Arabian acrobats
in world beating feats of ground and lofty tumbling.
Tho town is quite elated with tho 3cks that we are to have John
L. Sullivan in a new play on the 10th of January at the Lansing
theatre. Mr. Sullivan's latest venture, and this time on his own ac
count, is called "A True American," and is described as a romantic
play with an interesting story unfolded without a tank, a railroad
scene or even a shot being fired. It is a sincere effort at a legiti
mate play, acted with a spirit and power, but doing away with rant
ing and cheap straining for effects. The part of John Desmond ia a
gentleman, and Mr. Sullivan plays it as such. To those who have
credited the absurd mannerisms some times attributed to Mr. Sulli
van, hiB quiet force and easy manners will be a surprise; he is cot
without a certain dignity too, as he knows how to carry his stalwart
figure, and to walk across the stage as though be belonged there.
Bobby Mack's Irish fun is a good foil to John's seriousness, and his
comical acting in the arena scene is said to materially strengthen
what is to most people the most interesting scene in the play. Tho
pugilists give in that play such a realistic bout that many ladies
nightly evince their feelings by little feminine shrieks every time
that John L. lands one of his mighty blows anywhere on Dan Dwy
er's anatomy.
Milton Noble's latest effort is undoubtedly his best. In none of
his previous attempts in the line of stage literature has ho evinced
the talent that marks the play he has labeled "For Revenue Only."
The piece is described as as a political and satirical comedy. For
once the designation is correct. The political phrase is obtrusively
conspicious, the satirical aspect is beyond cavil. Of all the plays and
alleged plays aiming at the vulnerable points in America or shall
we say United States politics, few have come rearer home than
this. There is the added concomitant of a very faithful, though ex
aggerated, reflection of the country newspaper as an element in po
litical campaigns. The editor of the country weekly is an individ
ual whose importance is rarely understood by any save himself.
Mr. Nobles' somewhat farcicial play repairs this wrong and places
this great factor in political contests on his native pedestal. Given
a candidate for congress, a newspaper reporter and space writer
who never allows his political convictions to interfere with his strug
gle for revenue only, and the various side issues that suggest them
selves, and there you are. The Irishman who knows only that "he
is a democrat," the German who has no use for prohibition, and a
prohibitionist with a plank for a platform, which plank becomes
hopelessly lost in the shuffle, all contribute to a state of general
confusion that could only be untangled by one who remains through
the last act. At the Funke, Monday, Jan. 14.
Next Thursday evening the twin stars. Wade and James, will ap
pear at the Lansing theatre. Seats go on sale three days in advance
and it is unnecssary to say that the sale will be very large. In con
versation their representative, Mr. Arthur Warde, he said that not
withstanding the hard times they were drawing good houses. This
is Mr. James first appearance in Lincoln since he was here with the
Jefferson-Florence combination.
Our .joods rise in merit as they fall in price. Famous.
Latest sheet music at Crancer's, 212 So. 11th.
-aii jS'A&f-
' I MTnfitiiii'i'iiT -y
.
Book-keeper You told me to remind you to send Poet Smith
someting to-day.
Editor Oh, yes ah, just send him my compliments.