Life, 1889-02-14 · page 12 of 20
Life — February 14, 1889 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 96: Life Magazine, February 12, 1889 This page contains satirical commentary on a theatrical production. The main feature is a mock-formal letter to Lord Sackville West (Britain's diplomat in the U.S.) protesting a play called "An International Match" at Daly's Theatre. The satire targets a character named Sir John Smith-Chumley, played by Charles Wheatleigh, which the letter claims offensively stereotypes British diplomats. The writer humorously threatens that if the play isn't withdrawn, British warships should bombard the theatre—obviously absurd hyperbole mocking overprotective national pride. The three small cartoons on the left are unrelated comic sketches: "Valentine's Morn" jokes about letter-boxes, "And the Thermometer at Zero" shows Goldstein making a pun about ice-skating, and the top shows children near toys. The satire aims at both theatrical adaptation practices and stuffy diplomatic sensibilities—poking fun at how seriously nations treated theatrical representations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AN INTERNATIONAL MATCH. NEw York, February 12, 1889. To LorpD SACKVILLE WEST, Care of Foreign Office, Downing Street, London, England. SSSSS SSS S a former British subject, now resident in the United States, and in behalf of myself and others of our countrymen sim- ilarly situated, I write to ask if you would “ advise us to patronize a play called “An International Match,” now be- ing presented at Daly’s Theatre in this city. HE play is handsomely staged, and is in itself the most fin- VALENTINE'S MORN. , a \ ished example of Mr. Augustin SS Daly’s manipulation of foreign “Do THEY EX YOUNG LADIES TO CLIMB UP ? AND WHY COULD! * ee material to suit it for the American stage MAKE LITTLE BIGGER WHILES THEY wuz —or, to be more exact, for Augustin Daly's ABOUT IT?” “stage and Augustin Daly’s company. This time he has resorted less to broad comedy effects and farcical situations than in his other adaptations, and makes a stronger call on the acting powers of his company. That kind of work which brings Mr. Lewis and the hoyden in Miss Rehan particularly to the front, is subordinated to finer and subtler acting by Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. Drew and Miss Rehan in her quieter aspect. These three artists—and Miss Rehan particularly—give in “ An International Match” a more refined and sublimated instance of their combined powers than they have shown in any of Mr, Daly’s other adaptations. The minor parts are played with the usual fidelity and attention to detail. But, my lord, the character of Str John Smith-Chumley, assumed by Mr. Charles Wheatleigh, is an affront to the whole British diplo- matic service, and, therefore, to every Briton with a drop of British blood in his veins. I will admit that the part is excellently acted, but that fact only adds to the grossness of the insult. The type presented, satirical as it may seem, is not an uncommon one in the service of which you are (or were lately) a distinguished ornament ; but I do not think a Government which pretends to be friendly to Great Britain should permit it to be represented on a public stage. If, upon the demand of your Government, the play is not withdrawn at once, I know every Briton in the United States would be pleased to see a fleet of British iron-clads entering New York harbor for the purpose of bombarding Daly’s Theatre. AND THE THERMOMETER AT ZERO. Awaiting your reply, my lord, I am, | Goldstein (to party who has just rescued his son): Your lordship's 1x st obliged, obedient servant, S'HELP ME GRACIOUS, MINE FRENT, VOULD You : R, MURCHISON. MINDT GOIN’ UNDER FOR DOT OTHER SKATE? Metcalfe. comicbooks.com