Life, 1890-04-24 · page 11 of 18
Life — April 24, 1890 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine discusses actress **Rosina Vokes** and her theatrical company. The top illustration shows a formal dinner scene, while the lower illustration depicts "The Return of the Heir"—apparently a theatrical scene involving Wild West costuming. The text praises Vokes for combining "simplicity and refinement" in her acting, contrasting her approach favorably with the "smarter" affectations of native-born American actors. The author suggests her company brings "clean and wholesome mirth" to audiences. The satire appears to critique American theatrical conventions by favorably comparing a foreign (likely British) actress's naturalistic style to the overacted, pretentious mannerisms common in American theater of the period. The Wild West theatrical scene illustrates popular entertainment themes of that era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THost FRENCH WALKING TOYS, AND THE PRACTICAL USK TITE BRONSON FAMILY PUT THEM To. simplicity and refinement in the acting of Rosina Vokes and her company of comedians that causes us to look for- ward with pleasure to their coming. This very simplicity, which to our American sense may sometimes seem almost ama- teurish, is a better form of art than our “smarter” native actorsare in the habit of giving us. Simplicity is, unfortunately, nota vice of which the Yankee is often accused, And the little one act plays which com- pose these programmes are yet more unsophisticated than the actors. There is seldom any doubt in the spectator’s mind as to how they will end. We are dead sure in every case that everything will come out right. The lovers are in- variably united, and the stern old uncle invariably relents. Miss Vokes is capable of carrying almost any of these plays to a happy termination by her own vivacity and personal charm, and she is ably seconded by the members of her company. The result is an even- ing’s entertainment that is not only novel in character but abounds in clean and wholesome mirth. THE RETURN OF THE HEIR. Dog-face (recently with the Wild West show) : Parne, v' KNOW, Spank-with-the-birch (to her husband): You noun, Bon jour, MAMA. Tutck ni, Just nck FROM comicbooks.com