Life, 1892-04-28 · page 12 of 14
Life — April 28, 1892 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Drama Review (circa 1890s) This page reviews recent theatrical productions, primarily Civil War dramas. The text criticizes "Across the Potomac" as artistically inferior pandering to audiences, while praising earlier successes like "Held by the Enemy" and "Shenandoah" that demonstrated war's theatrical potential. The left illustrations show historical anniversaries—Marc Antony's flight (April 27, 43 B.C.), Joan of Arc entering Orleans (April 29, 1429), and Washington's Inauguration (April 30, 1789)—appearing to be unrelated decorative historical engravings typical of Life's layout. The drama critique notes contemporary comedies like "Husband and Wife" entertain through plot complications about rival wives' clubs. The review dismisses the Herald prize-winning play "Hearts" as uninteresting, suggesting American dramatists receive unwarranted coddling. It concludes by criticizing actress Cora Tanner's limited talent despite her elaborate costumes, and notes the season overall lacks quality theatrical attractions.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DE LA SAISON. T. k that 4 | took that imaginary in- dividual, the Ameri- can dramatist, quite a while to wake up to the fact that the late war was available for APRIL 27, B.C. 43. :; his purposes. The great suc- cess of “ Held by the Enemy” and “Shenandoah” have demonstrated it so well that the war drama is becoming a staple product, with some pros- pect that the supply will exceed the demand, The most recent of these productions is “ Across the Potomac,” by Augustus Pitou and Edward M. Alfriend. It is not to be mentioned in the same breath with the other two war plays. It appeals almost entirely to the gallery, and, although there is nothing objectionable in the piece, it is constructed on such a low plane artistically that it just about fits its cast of mediocre actors. It contains, however, some good situations, and its stage setting is very good. . . * ‘7 J USBAND and Wife,” at the Garden Theatre, neither points a moral nor adorns a tale. It simply makes people laugh through its first two acts, and in the third gives the audience a fearful and wonderful exhibition JOAN OF ARC ENTERS ORLEANS WITH SUPPLIES, of judicial procedure before a London police magistrate. The complications which follow the organization of “ The Tiger Lillies’ Club” by a number of dissatisfied wives and the rival “ Dandelion Club” by their husbands, are laughable and cleverly contrived. If “ Hearts,” the Hera/d prize play, was really the best production submitted in that contest, it means either that the competition was a failure or that the American dramatist is still being coddled in the bosom of futurity. It is far from interesting. Miss Cora Tanner and some very elaborate gowns sustain the leading parts in both pieces. LIFE does not pretend to judge fashionable attire for women, but it is able to state with suitable solemnity that Miss Tanner is not a great actress although a fairly pleasing one. MARC ANTONY, AFTER DEFEATING THE CONSUL PANSA, FLEES T APRIL 29, 1429. . . * APRIL 30, 1789. HERE is a dearth of good theatrical attractions just INAUGURATION OF WASHINGTON, now. In fact the entire season has been productive comicbooks.com