Life — May 31, 1888 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- LIFE: THE TAG END OF THE SEASON. O better evidence of the wane of the dramatic year could be found than that such a piece as “ Natural Gas” is able to attract any audiences at all to a theatre of as much character as the Fifth Avenue. This variety per- formance—for it would be gross flattery to call it a play— would be quite appropriate at Tony Pastor’s Temple of Thes- pis, but seems out of place in an up-town house. The same old gags, the same old delirious humor of mispronounced French, the same old side-splitting Partingtonianisms, all strung together with musical chestnuts and variety show “business,” and make up the only alleged novelty that appeals to the intellectuality of New York theatre-goers. Neverthe- less, “ Natural Gas” is very funny; and those who desire a good laugh may be accommodated at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. * * UMMER has arrived, as “The Return of the Native,” in the person of that eminent his- trion, Hon. Buffalo Bill, now celebrated at Erastina, Staten Island, proves. Mr. Cody gives assurance that there is absolutely no truth in the gossip concerning himself and Mrs. Victoria Guelph. Their friendship was of the most platonic character and there was no thought of marriage on either side. He admits that she wished to present him with the Garter, but his wild Western modesty would not permit of his accepting such a decoration at the hands of a lady. * * * HE only dramatic event in the near future is Kiralfy’s production of ‘Nero; or, the Fall of Rome,” at St. George, Staten Island. It will be a soulful drama in which the leading part will be taken by some thousands of beautiful coryphées. Nero’s violin solo at the burning of the Imperial City is one of the most celebrated musical performances on record. It will be accurately reproduced at St. George, but everything being on such a tremendous scale, Nero will be obliged to fiddle on a bass viol. The air will be “How I Burn for Love of Thee!” and will probably set the town on fire. * * * 6 HE Queen's Mate” and “Nadjy” are evidently destined to be the summer's attractions. The duet between the rival generals in the former is one of the best things lately seen in comic opera, and in “ Nadjy,” Marie Jansen’s ballet-dancing has improved materially. Wives in the country for the summer may rest happy in the knowledge that their hard-worked husbands will have some diversion from the cares of business. * * * T is reported, on good authority, that Mr. John Lawrence Sullivan, of Boston, has tossed his castor into the managerial ring, and that this season he will travel with a circus of which he is part proprietor. If Mr. Sullivan is to act as advance-agent of the circus, our esteemed contem- poraries throughout the country will please accept the assur- ances of our most heartfelt sympathy. When Mr. Sullivan enters an editorial room and invites the dramatic critic to go out and take a drink, it is more than likely that the dramatic critic will go, whether it is contrary to the rules of the office or not. And when Mr. Sullivan intimates that extended and flattering notices of the coming circus will be considered a personal favor, it is quite likely the dramatic critic will regard the suggestion favorably or make immediate arrange- ments for fleeing to the mountains. Metcalfe. AN AFFLICTED FAMILY. “I WONDER WHAT'S WRONG AT THE FAHLERIES) MANSION? THE BELLS ARE ALL MUFFLED, THE SIDEWALK’S COVERED WITH MATTING, AND THE DOCTOR JUST DROVE AWAY.” “Why, HAVEN'T YOU HEARD? THEIR PUG HAS PNEUMONIA.” comicbooks.com